Hello all

[firecat]

Hello all,

Following on from this post I am revisiting after 14 years. I was surprised my user name was still active! I went for the 800xc in the end! Then turned to the dark side and to multistrada’s.

The reason for coming back on here is that I have an opportunity to buy an R100GS, one owner (family member) full bmw service history up to being parked up in 2012 with 50k miles on the clock. I believe it is a bumble bee.

Can I ask what issues I am likely to have to deal with if I were to buy this, I want to pay a fair price as it is family but also want to be realistic about what to offer and how much it might cost to recommission. It has been stored in a dry garage and was turned over infrequently during this storage period but not in the last few years. Sadly its owner now has dementia, has fleeting lucidity and consequently no ability to give details of how it was laid up etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance and a Merry Christmas!

 

[The Other PaulG]

If you are an enthusiastic home mechanic, great, you’re in for a treat. They are fabulous to own and maintain.

But… and others will come along who know considerably more that I do…if it has sat for that period I would anticipate that seals may have hardened, some of which are not particularly accessible. There may well be other issues you should anticipate.

If you’re happy with that, excellent! If you’re not so comfortable, share the seller’s details because plenty here have the talent and enthusiasm to get a bike like that back into shape.

 

[firecat]

If you are an enthusiastic home mechanic, great, you’re in for a treat. They are fabulous to own and maintain.

But… and others will come along who know considerably more that I do…if it has sat for that period I would anticipate that seals may have hardened, some of which are not particularly accessible. There may well be other issues you should anticipate.

If you’re happy with that, excellent! If you’re not so comfortable, share the seller’s details because plenty here have the talent and enthusiasm to get a bike like that back into shape.

Thanks for your reply. I have been around and maintained bikes all my life and part of the attraction of this bike is its simplicity, that and a sentimental desire to keep it in the family. Having watched various YouTube videos I think the bike is pretty straight forward to work on. Hopefully that is not a case of famous last words!

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Thanks for your reply. I have been around and maintained bikes all my life and part of the attraction of this bike is its simplicity, that and a sentimental desire to keep it in the family. Having watched various YouTube videos I think the bike is pretty straight forward to work on. Hopefully that is not a case of famous last words!

You are amongst friends here and the airhead GS knowledge base on this forum is truly impressive and we have one or two commercial specialists too, that can do the harder stuff if necessary

 

[Paul S]

Having recently acquired a mint R100GS PD that had been laid up for only 5 years I would say go for it - drain the old fuel, change the battery, fluids and filter, check/adjust valve clearances and probably get the carbs cleaned out/rebuilt. Given the length of time it has sat take off and clean out the sump plate before being tempted to start it.

Big unknown and potential cost will be whether the clutch is nearing the end of it's life and whether the rocker followers are worn etc.

........and put some fresh tyres on it!

Value very much dependent on condition.

Enjoy

 

[firecat]

Having recently acquired a mint R100GS PD that had been laid up for only 5 years I would say go for it - drain the old fuel, change the battery, fluids and filter, check/adjust valve clearances and probably get the carbs cleaned out/rebuilt. Given the length of time it has sat take off and clean out the sump plate before being tempted to start it.

Big unknown and potential cost will be whether the clutch is nearing the end of it's life and whether the rocker followers are worn etc.

........and put some fresh tyres on it!

Value very much dependent on condition.

Enjoy

Thanks for the pointers, I am concerned about the carbs if they have been left with fuel in them - I guess it will be pre ethanol so that is something at least. I believe the bike suffered drive shaft failure whilst on tour. It was just out of warranty and bmw did the work under warranty on the basis it had been fully maintained by them and it should not have failed. It was fixed locally nd the tour went on. Apart from that it was reliable all the time it was in use.
Is there a good manual available for these bikes? Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[Paul S]

Thanks for the pointers, I am concerned about the carbs if they have been left with fuel in them - I guess it will be pre ethanol so that is something at least. I believe the bike suffered drive shaft failure whilst on tour. It was just out of warranty and bmw did the work under warranty on the basis it had been fully maintained by them and it should not have failed. It was fixed locally nd the tour went on. Apart from that it was reliable all the time it was in use.
Is there a good manual available for these bikes? Merry Christmas everyone!

Loads - https://www.motorworks.co.uk/worksh...r100gs--09-1990---08-1994--155&sid=RmPP3vlZxO

Great parts availability from Motorworks, Motobins and Seibenrock etc.

 

[firecat]

Loads - https://www.motorworks.co.uk/worksh...r100gs--09-1990---08-1994--155&sid=RmPP3vlZxO

Great parts availability from Motorworks, Motobins and Seibenrock etc.

Thank you

 

[tuftywhite]

Also, you might be interested in these guys' services. www.overlandandclassic.co.uk

Just depends how handy you are with the spanners.

 

[Bubb]

As you are in Surrey, I can lend you a Haynes manual and also a clymer manual for these wonderful old bikes.
Also got the tools for rear main seal …if you are replacing the clutch you might as well d rear seal at same time.

Also, Steptoe of this Parrish is local ( Putney vale) and runs gsshop.biz……when he’s not running his club in soho.

 

[firecat]

Also, you might be interested in these guys' services. www.overlandandclassic.co.uk

Just depends how handy you are with the spanners.

Thanks for this, they look to be a quality outfit.

 

[firecat]

As you are in Surrey, I can lend you a Haynes manual and also a clymer manual for these wonderful old bikes.
Also got the tools for rear main seal …if you are replacing the clutch you might as well d rear seal at same time.

Also, Steptoe of this Parrish is local ( Putney vale) and runs gsshop.biz……when he’s not running his club in soho.

That is very kind of you, I appreciate it. I think I will go for it but at the end of the day it depends on the family and the dementia situation.

 

[boatman]

Thanks for this, they look to be a quality outfit.

One of the very best in fact

 

[lewisjohn]

Thanks for this, they look to be a quality outfit.

They are definitely among the best out there.

 

[Kenny]

Probably coming up for a head rebuild with 50,000 miles on her. Overland and Classic will advise you.

 

[SteveHop]

I would have the carbs off and clean or get them cleaned properly . Be worth changing all the oils and oil filter and probibly be best to drop the oil pan to clean along with the strainer . A rebuild after 50k seems a bit drastic unless its been abused . The clutch should be ok

 

[firecat]

I would have the carbs off and clean or get them cleaned properly . Be worth changing all the oils and oil filter and probibly be best to drop the oil pan to clean along with the strainer . A rebuild after 50k seems a bit drastic unless its been abused . The clutch should be ok

Definitely not abused it was well cared for until lay up.

 

[mikeyboy]

Some photos of the bike would be useful for a valuation..
As regards to refurb,
A minimum for me would be cyl head,barrel removal.
Sump off,
Gearbox out and flywheel removal.oil pump check.
LH con rod off.
I’d also remove the timing case and check the t.chain.
All before I’d had any ideas of fresh fuel and trying to start it.

 

[firecat]

Interesting approach, I am interested in what would be necessary to recommission rather than refurb. I see the logic in checking things out before trying to start it after such a long lay up but I have not done a pretty extensive strip down to recommission. Don’t get me wrong it’s the safest way but it was put away as a fault fault free runner and I was thinking more along the lines of fluid changes, sump drop, filters, bore scope, carb clean/rebuild. Run it and see what’s what. Are BMW’s more susceptible to deterioration during lay up than other brands necessitating such a strip down?

 

[firecat]

I will post some pics when I get to see the bike in the flesh, it’s a fair way from me.