My R90S Project - Airhead Archeology

Proff said:
90s fuel cap didn't have a key, just a push button....
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I think the seller said he has a push-button one on his bike, but the 'spare' tank had the (unlock able) lockable one on. The lockable ones look identical to the one on my old car too.

I've seen replicas of the original for $99 in the US, but it seems a lot, and it's a detail I can hopefully address when a good standard one turns up nearer home.

On the bright side, the archeological dig continues…


Does this look like an original starter motor? It says 9/9/'74 on it.

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It does look like the original starter and will have 8 teeth instead of the later 9 which means you either have a knackered flywheel or your bike is actually still in heavy flywheel form. Any chance of a photograph of the back of the gearbox showing the mounting lugs for the clutch arm?
 
Rob Farmer said:
It does look like the original starter and will have 8 teeth instead of the later 9 which means you either have a knackered flywheel or your bike is actually still in heavy flywheel form. Any chance of a photograph of the back of the gearbox showing the mounting lugs for the clutch arm?
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That sounds positive.
Is it safe to say it has the heavy flywheel based on this picture of the clutch?
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/106793933@N05/13745430254/
 
Rob Farmer said:
That's possibly the original swinging arm from your 90s they beefed up the swinging arm for the 81 models onwards and fitted a shock absorber,it gave a better gear change and improved the handling.
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The shock absorber was fitted from about 78 onwards, so should fit inside the original swinging arm, the 82 on big tube swinging arm was said to be stiffer.

Keith Shaw used to be a usefull source of very nice 90s paint at very reasonable prices. Contact via his son Chris who sells lots of nice stainless stuff, google able
 
chasbmw said:
Keith Shaw used to be a usefull source of very nice 90s paint at very reasonable prices. Contact via his son Chris who sells lots of nice stainless stuff, google able
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Ta :thumb2

I remember an article, much read, in an old classic bike magazine where the rode Keith Shaw's R90S in the IOM. It is one of the reasons I've long fancied a Ginger bike.

I think in the article it said he used Dream Machine, but it was a long time ago.

I already have my stainless wish-list prepared with the help of Chris Shaw's website, so I'll ask him about paint when I ring up (after payday) to ask if I can have my drain plugs pre-drilled for lock-wire ;)
 
markjackson said:
Does anyone have recommendations for a brilliant spray painter of R90S colours, preferably really cheap and in my village?:P
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I emailed the gent oop north I bought my 90S off who has a fair bit of painting done. Quote: I have used R S motorcycle paints several times in the past -01707 27321- is the number I have for them. The people who have painted for me are both car sprayers who do bikes for me as they know me, one near Keighley and one in Shipley, I can have a word with them if he wants actual painting doing. I have also had some done by Dream Machine through a dealer friend and they were also very good. Let me know if you need me to call anyone for you to help things along.

Let me know if you want more info Mark.
 
Devon said:
I emailed the gent oop north I bought my 90S off who has a fair bit of painting done. Quote: I have used R S motorcycle paints several times in the past -01707 27321- is the number I have for them. The people who have painted for me are both car sprayers who do bikes for me as they know me, one near Keighley and one in Shipley, I can have a word with them if he wants actual painting doing. I have also had some done by Dream Machine through a dealer friend and they were also very good. Let me know if you need me to call anyone for you to help things along.

Let me know if you want more info Mark.
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Thanks Andy,:thumb2

Looking at the RS website they appear to know their colours!
I've spoken to a chap in Sunny Scunny (where I often work to visit every week) who does lots of airbrush work for the Scooter fraternity (scootering being a pastime even more implausible than Airhead collecting:D) so a plan is forming.

I now have the R90S in many bits though, planning engine spec:nenau
 
Deep joy…

New bits a' plenty :)
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Lots of shiny stainless loveliness :bounce1

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And some bouncy bits for each end ('cos I'm plump, I've gone for stiffer springs at the front with Koni/Ikon dial-a-rides) :bounce1:bounce1:bounce1
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Anyone that can name all the parts in the picture can have a prize (left-over from the rebuild);)
 
Is the Boyer a micro digital?

The cheaper analogue Boyer is awfull and has a curve that works against the bike, the micro digital are spot on.
 
Rob Farmer said:
Is the Boyer a micro digital?
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Thankfully yes, with Boyer coil :-)

Frame, swingarm and bits all nicely powder coated too, with all new bearings now in.

Chris Shaw'a Stainless bits are ever so nice and LSN (near Leeds) did a great job of the powder coating.
 
8 Months later….

It's very nearly done, and looking lovely.

LSN's coating of the frame and 'black stuff' was very nicely done, and I've managed to avoid damaging it (barring a little scratch on the swing arm) when rebuilding it.

New taper rollers and seals in the steering and swing arm were a pleasure to fit and I do like anything that involves grease by the kilogramme :)

With the exception of the Boyer ignition, the engine is now all 76 R90S, with the correct mechanical tacho drive and matching instrument. With 33k miles on its bores It got new rings and valve guides/seats, new timing chain & sprockets and new big end shells, so should be good for a few more miles.

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The gearbox case is now correct-for-breed and there is a new HD clutch sandwiched between it and a new heavy flywheel, as the old one had some ring gear damage from the starter. And after watching the French video showing the BMW Berlin factory in 76, I saw how to get the engine back into the frame…

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I've fitted new IKON shocks to suit my lardy frame, and got correct forks rebuilt with lovely new innards and stiffer springs. It feels like I've got to much stiction at the moment, or my oil (7.5wt) is going to be too stiff, but I'll need to do a few miles to see, before making a change.

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Getting my huge (and wilfully non-standard) Christmas chrome horn fitted was a good excuse for a boxing-day rewire, and the first "Bip-Bip" of the horn gave me a big daft grin. :D

The rebuilt ATE callipers and new pads went on to new black goodridge hoses, on a rebuilt under-tank master cylinder, which I'm going to try with fingers crossed that it gives enough brakes.:eek:

After a heeeuge wait, my dog-framing device finally arrived, with the other painty-stuff, from my painter. It all looked quite wonderful. :thumb2:thumb2

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Putting the shiny new loveliness onto the bike was quick and easy, with Chris Shaw's nice stainless fasteners and new rubber bits from Motobins and Motorworks, both of whom have been brilliant. I also treated it to a new bike-pump, first aid kit and Owner's manual, so it feels like I'm getting a new bike:D

I forgot to order the seal that goes between screen and fairing, and still intend to swap the Lester mag wheels for wires, but overall, I think she looks just great!
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But what does this owlish sticker mean?

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I've always been a sucker for an R90S in Daytona orange and yours looks fantastic. I hope to get a look at it if you ever glide down the A64 to the coast.....:)
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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