EBay R100 - what does the collective reckon?

bakerlonglegs

bakerlonglegs

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I’m thinking of dipping my toe into the wonderful world of airheads again, but not a GS or g/s. I had a g/s before but prices are silly now and besides which I’m not going off road any more.

I don’t want a pristine garage queen or a non-running basket case. Not a RT or a RS, I’d prefer a naked or a S. Something running and roadworthy, and original (not someone’s idea of a ‘bobber’ or ‘scrambler’). I was thinking 75, 80, 90, or 100. What does the airhead massive think of this?
 
Nice looking bike, however I note you say you want a running and roadworthy bike. Looking at its mot history its done a few hundred miles in thirteen year. So I would expect a considerable re commission. Im sure Mikeyboy or Steptoe would be worth a quick question along with others like Gelandstasse on here.
 
Good point! I see what you mean. Recommissioning I don’t mind, I imagine new throttle cables, tank clean out & seal, carbs ultrasonic clean, brake callipers new seals, new brake lines, new fuel lines. I just don’t fancy a nut n bolt rebuild.
 
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This topic came up on a Facebook site recently and £3k was the going rate for the bike that you want. For £4k I'd be looking at something that did not need recommissioning.

But turning to the R100 in question, at £3995 it is a risk (in that you could spend £1k and it would still be worth £3995). However, on the bright side it looks 'all there' but I think Steve Hughes has a point about so few miles done in so many years. You need to go look and check out its condition, smoke etc. Also on the bright side, the dealer on the number plate was well known for tweaking bikes in a really good way. I note heated grips. I note Dellorto carbs. I note a pair of 7610 KONI Dial-a-Rides. So this one could be a wolf in sheep's clothing....but there's a reason why so few miles done in such a long time.
 
With those carbs, I wonder if the heads have been refurbished with unleaded valve seats etc? Look's a good buy but make sure the gearbox is OK as I've just spent over £1,500 on a gearbox rebuild and a new clutch assembly. Look's a tidy bike though.(y)
 
Thank you all for your wise words of caution! :bow
You’re all correct, I should find out a bit more here. I have a habit of being a bit rose-tinted in my view of potential purchases :blush:blast
I shall ask for more details…
 
A big plus for me is that it doesn’t appear to have been abused. Original paint and first aid kit says a lot to me. During the pandemic I was searching for a bike to restore and couldn’t find anything as nice as this for that sort of money. The one I bought was subject to a full nut and bolt restoration which was fun and kept me sane and regardless of cost I’m glad I did it and I ride it regularly they are such nice bikes to own. Unless you’re really having to watch every penny of subsequent ownership I’d give this one a go.
 
The low miles are probably a reflection of why it's for sale. My airhead has not done many last year as I bought a cruiser so I could take the wife out. I don't want to sell mine at the moment, but if it gets 0 miles next year too, I might. Every seal and most bearings changed, VGC, just not flavour of the month.

It's a good looking bike and £4k isn't unreasonable.
 
Much more detail needed from the vendor. In your shoes I'd also ask someone local to have a look at it.

Why not put an "airhead wanted" ad on here?
 
The OPs posted bike will be heavy flywheel, twin shock.

Depends if the OP prefers the earlier heavy flywheel airheads, or the later one (personally I like the later lighter flywheel mono shocks)

The r80 is a sweeter engine than the R100, but it depends what sort of riding it’s for….. 2 up, the 100 has more pull.
The r65 that Tim put a link to is gorgeous, but it’s very low miles , so will maybe need a good recommission…
And if the r65 isn’t enough engine, you can fit siebenrock 860 barrels, and have a short stroke, fast revving engine….

I’m sure there are many airheads out there, and one will fit the bill for the OP.
Good luck on the search….take your time, and 5he right bike will turn up I’m sure.
 
Bubb said:
The OPs posted bike will be heavy flywheel, twin shock.

Depends if the OP prefers the earlier heavy flywheel airheads, or the later one (personally I like the later lighter flywheel mono shocks)

The r80 is a sweeter engine than the R100, but it depends what sort of riding it’s for….. 2 up, the 100 has more pull.
The r65 that Tim put a link to is gorgeous, but it’s very low miles , so will maybe need a good recommission…
And if the r65 isn’t enough engine, you can fit siebenrock 860 barrels, and have a short stroke, fast revving engine….

I’m sure there are many airheads out there, and one will fit the bill for the OP.
Good luck on the search….take your time, and 5he right bike will turn up I’m sure.
Click to expand...
The bike in the OP is a light flywheel,
Last heavyflywheel bikes were 1979.
 
I don’t like to be negative about a bike but the R100 in the OP looks to have been stood for a considerable time,
I notice it’s still got the remnants of a tax disc holder.
It’s had no recommissioning,more than likely just had tank clean,fresh fuel,plugs and oil.
It’s storage conditions may have been pretty good as it’s not got loads of “wet” corrosion,
If you think about a proper recommission you have to consider as a minimum.
New tyres/tubes/ re grease wheel bearings.
Strip forks ,clean and service.
Re grease steering head races.
Remove sump to clean sludge out.
Change gearbox / propshaft and bevel oil.
Replace brake hoses,service calipers and master cyl.
Then we get to the stuff that would be best attended to whilst doing the essential bits
Replacing push rod seals as these will probably start leaking as soon as the bike is used.
The clutch splines will probably be dry,with corrosion on the pressure plate etc.
Replacing oil seals throughout as these will start failing as the bike is used.
Starter motor is probably not at its best and would benefit from a service.
Whilst it may well turn out to be a great buy ,I think it prudent to work into your budget a contingency if all of the above needs to be done.
Then ask yourself if it’s worth paying £4K for it.
Here’s one we are restoring at present.
You have to have a very good reason to want to get into this level of expenditure on a bike that will never be worth it’s restoration costs
7A8560F1-439C-41D9-A3F2-E73B8FB1415B.jpeg45B40678-6D8D-48B3-B547-8874ADB21BB7.jpeg07E0160D-8AC8-4E59-8B87-43C7119C6ECE.jpeg
 
Thanks Mikey, there sounds another voice of reason…. And lots of experience!!! That’s a really useful list, clearly I was being far too optimistic, and that’s just to get it running reliably but looking exactly the same so, as others have noted above, no significant improvement in value. I still like it but can’t afford to flush money away. I’m going to ask for more info, use the list above to be more realistic about what I’m getting myself into.
 
bakerlonglegs said:
Thanks Mikey, there sounds another voice of reason…. And lots of experience!!! That’s a really useful list, clearly I was being far too optimistic, and that’s just to get it running reliably but looking exactly the same so, as others have noted above, no significant improvement in value. I still like it but can’t afford to flush money away. I’m going to ask for more info, use the list above to be more realistic about what I’m getting myself into.
Click to expand...
Wise words from Mikeyboy. As I said earlier, put a wanted ad here and see what crops up. I did that 6 years ago and got an R100Gs from one of the Irish lads. I've been slowly restoring it - but not to the level of Mikey's expertise of course. Any bike that you're offered may well have provenance through various members on the site and the vendor is likely to be trustworthy too.

You'll still have to do your due diligence etc but what have you got to lose?
 
mikeyboy said:
The bike in the OP is a light flywheel,
Last heavyflywheel bikes were 1979.
Click to expand...
I bow to your expert knowledge…..I didn’t have a clue when the last heavy flywheel bikes were made…but I do now..Thanks you Mikey.
 
I’ve asked for more info about the bike, including a list of service items and why it had been stood for so long. The dealer is helpful and will come back to me with more info.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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