New Airhead Owner

[SteveM]

Hi Guys, I'm new here (to the airheads) and would like to show you my recent acquisition.
Just bought this beauty off ebay from Germany, haven't picked it up yet but looking forward to riding it home in May. Is it likely to make it from Hamburg to Cornwall?
I've been after one of these for a while now, and finally had the cash to get one. Sorry about the photos, they're from ebay and not great resolution. She's an 89 R100GS with 115,000 KM's on the clock. The following is a google translation of the eBay listing:

"All inspections and adjustments meticulously done, only long distance, no terrain accident and without falling, converted to double disc brake, Touratech Navihalterung incl. Garmin Navi, kick starter, engine guards, auxiliary driving lamp, large tool tray, almost new windshield, carburetor disassembled at 105,000 km, cleaned and all seals and diaphragms new, magnetic switch new, starter overhaul and glued the magnets and stapled, no noise from the engine and drive, the vehicle is located in a beautiful state, has, to my knowledge, no defects and is ready for the trip, Special tools such as Böhm gauges and various keys can be specified, since I stop moped driving, Tüvbelege the last dec (no defects) all present for 11 years in my possession, all functions in order, but with no guarantee or warranty, because of private sales only Pickup (with red numbers) or the buyer himself takes care of shipping !! Km currently about 115000 can be few more, I still go in the sun ) Location 23847 Stubben test drive possible since account"

I've bought a Haynes and Clymer manual from amazon as I understand I'll probably need it at some point.
I'm sure I'll be pestering you all with stupid questions as soon as it resides at my place and I get my hands on it.
I want to keep it as original as possible, but with any upgrades that make it as reliable as possible. Not sure what these upgrades are yet, but I'll trawl the forum and stickies in this section first.
Good day to you all.

 

[gog]

Nice bike, and welcome (to the airheads)

 

[nick.ct]

Looks good

 

[SteveM]

Thanks, Nick, they're much better photos.
Had your eye on it as well did you?

 

[Kenny]

Like those rocker covers with the oil filler in them

We await the tonnes of questions heading this forums way ! Welcome.

 

[chilipepper]

Welcome, Great looking bike!

I bought my first airhead last year and I can't speak highly enough of the help I've been given on here. Special mention of thanks go to RobFarmer and Ian Boyd, true gents.

 

[B Murr]

Very nice bike, I think I had seen it on ebay. Twin disks in front are an upgrade ( just in case you didn't know) and a good one too as regular disks can be a bit slow if loaded up with luggage. Have you figured out how to get the temporary registration that you will need to ride it back, you won't be able to ride it without a plate and the original plate will be staying with the owner as I believe is the rule in germany.

 

[Rob Farmer]

It doesn't need any upgrades. Looks like it's all been taken care of. A decent shock wouldn't go amiss though but I wouldn't rush into that if yours is ok.

youve even got the expensive rocker covers with the oil filler.

 

[SteveM]

It doesn't need any upgrades. Looks like it's all been taken care of. A decent shock wouldn't go amiss though.

youve even got the expensive rocker covers with the oil filler.

Hi Rob, what is a good replacement shock likely to cost me, and who makes them please? Ohlins, Wilbers, Maxton, Hagon etc etc.
Are the rocker covers you mention not stock items?
I'm really hoping the kick start works too. From the little I know about airhead kick starters they seem to be unreliable and require some sort of special ignition to make them work better, although I'm probably entirely wrong on this subject
Can't wait to get my hands on it.

 

[Kenny]

I might be wrong ( usually ) but the 1000cc didn't initially have a kick-start; German version obviously may differ ! Rockers covers are not standard ( 'square' ones were ) but a great mod The ignition module is a different version for kick start....but should start 1st or 2nd 'prod' (not a hard kick ! )..after that..a wait is needed
Shocks...Hagon OK for twin shocks but have never received a glowing report on here for monoshock version. I personally wouldn't fit a Wilbers as mine was rubbish re handling etc.
Maxton are superb and just like Ohlins, expensive. Many will advise as there are so many shocks for this model.

 

[SteveM]

I might be wrong ( usually ) but the 1000cc didn't initially have a kick-start; German version obviously may differ ! Rockers covers are not standard ( 'square' ones were ) but a great mod The ignition module is a different version for kick start....but should start 1st or 2nd 'prod' (not a hard kick ! )..after that..a wait is needed
Shocks...Hagon OK for twin shocks but have never received a glowing report on here for monoshock version. I personally wouldn't fit a Wilbers as mine was rubbish re handling etc.
Maxton are superb and just like Ohlins, expensive. Many will advise as there are so many shocks for this model.

Thanks for that. You never know, the original may still be good, after all it's only done 115K I'm told these airheads go on forever.

 

[Rob Farmer]

Nitron are nice shock that cost around the same as Wilbers http://www.nitron.co.uk/pwpcontrol.php?pwpID=17761 Ive recently bought one for a Honda I have and its a lovely bit of kit. There's one for sale for a GS on the site at the minute for £200

Just llooking at the Twin disc setup on your bike. Thats the ultra rare genuine left hand fork leg instead of the more common modified version. I've only ever seen a couple of genuine twin disc fork legs and yours is one of them.

 

[Kenny]

Thanks for that. You never know, the original may still be good, after all it's only done 115K I'm told these airheads go on forever.

... many see their owners out !!

Nice thing about this forum is no two answers will ever be the same !

 

[Rob Farmer]

... many see their owners out !!

I think that down to the age of the guys buying them instead of the longevity of the bikes

 

[solidstate100]

Welcome! nice bike.

Airhead ownership is addictive I find - in fact so much so as of today (just waved goodbye to my 2009 1200 GSA) I now own ONLY airhead BMW's.

 

[Essexadventure]

Nice bike you have there, and like you I prefer to keep mine standard as much as I can (or at least keep the standard bits to retrofit). From a quick glance I think the non-standard bits on yours are: the sidepanels, the rocker covers, the feet flaps, the fuel overflow pipe, the emblem in the rear wheel hub, the fuel filters and the twin disc setup. All sensible mods and I'm sure to be corrected by others! It looks like it has the original exhaust collector box and appears quite rusty - these are prone to holes (I've had a few in mine now). It also has the original side stand which are a bitch to use. I've finally got round to replacing mine with a Migsel one (of this parish) - believe me once you try the original you'll want to do the same.

Worth checking out the history of the driveshaft too as these are prone to go after as little as 30k miles although I'm still on the original at 67k!

Good luck with the bike - you'll not be disappointed and there's a wealth of knowledge on here to tap into.

Mike


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[Rob Farmer]

Welcome! nice bike.

Airhead ownership is addictive I find - in fact so much so as of today (just waved goodbye to my 2009 1200 GSA) I now own ONLY airhead BMW's.

Sssh! It'll hear you and demand more attention by breaking down. Once they have your undivided attention theres no going back.

 

[SteveM]

I think that down to the age of the guys buying them instead of the longevity of the bikes

You'll all be glad to hear that I'll be bringing the average age of the collective down by a good few years, after all I'm only 46

 

[Rob Farmer]

Worth checking out the history of the driveshaft too as these are prone to go after as little as 30k miles although I'm still on the original at 67k!

Mine still original at 88k but there has been one or two on the site over the years who have had failures

 

[Rob Farmer]

You'll all be glad to hear that I'll be bringing the average age of the collective down by a good few years, after all I'm only 46

That doesn't even dent the average...