Just wanted to introduce myself and my new project. Im a new member here and hopefully posting non-GS bikes here is acceptable!
Im 32 and currently taking lessons for my full A. Test is on 12th June. Ive only had one bike before and that was a wee Yamaha TZR125 back when i was 18 and first left home. Lots of fun until it met a Volvo it didnt get on with. 14 years, a mrs, 2 kids, house, job, 3 cars down the line and I find myself with a new project - my Dad's old 1987 ex-police R80RT airhead:
Im hoping to have her fixed up and through MOT before I pass my test. The bike was stolen from my Dad's shed a couple of years ago and the ignition knackered. It has sat untouched in the shed ever since being recovered.
Shes not in an awful state, but definitely needs a bit of work. Generally needs a detailed service and clean, as well as some cosmetic attention.
Few more grimy pics:
I sourced a new original ignition switch with key on ebay and wired it up using diagrams found online. Haynes manual is purchased but not arrived yet.
The fuel lines from tank to carbs were so old and brittle they snapped off like plastic when trying to remove. Had to take off carbs to get the rest of the lines off the nipples. Replaced with new lines.
Battery was completely dead, so a new one bought and connected. Noticed the battery cage needs some TLC due to corrosion. A job for another weekend.
Old fuel drained and new stuff put in. Noticed a pinkish colour to the old fuel, most likely some build up of sludge and crap in the tank from having sat a few years with old fuel in. Checked flow from both petcocks - left hand was fine, right has slow flow. Engine oil is at the correct level but I will drain and replace it asap with 20w50.
Then tried to start her for the first time in 3 or 4 years. Starter turning strong, but worrying loud metallic bangs from what sounds like the left cylinder. Sounds like the noise a 12" adjustable spanner would make if it landed flat on to concrtete from a few feet up. Sharp, metallic and slightly louder than the turnover noise of the engine itself. No regular pattern to when it happens, happened about 4 times in the 30 seconds or so I had the starter button held first time. Second time, the bang only happened the second the starter button was pushed and the moment it was released. Third time, the banging noise didnt happen and the engine started to fire, only on the left cylinder though.
Anyone have any idea what that alarming banging noise may have been?
Subsequent attempts, again only left cylinder starting. Check the fuel supply from the right petcock and sure enough, no fuel there. Must be a blockage there which i'll need to fix at the weekend. Got a couple of petcock rebuild kits to do it right.
Noticed some smoking from around the exhaust rose nuts where the pipes enter the head. Hoping thats just the WD40 I sprayed on them during the week burning off but i suspect its more likely to be leaks which will need sorted.
This weekend, weather permitting, I will be:
Changing oil and filter, remembering the £2k O-ring info I read about.
Removing bowls from carbs and cleaning those, inc nozzles.
Cleaning out the tank and rebuilding petcocks to restore free fuel flow.
Trying to start her again, and hopefully manage an idle tickover with both cylinders firing.
I am completely new to working on bikes. Done a fair bit of DIY on my cars over the years, but any advice and help from those in the know would be much appreciated as I go along. If people are interested, I would be happy to update this thread with photos and progress over the coming weeks.
Im 32 and currently taking lessons for my full A. Test is on 12th June. Ive only had one bike before and that was a wee Yamaha TZR125 back when i was 18 and first left home. Lots of fun until it met a Volvo it didnt get on with. 14 years, a mrs, 2 kids, house, job, 3 cars down the line and I find myself with a new project - my Dad's old 1987 ex-police R80RT airhead:
Im hoping to have her fixed up and through MOT before I pass my test. The bike was stolen from my Dad's shed a couple of years ago and the ignition knackered. It has sat untouched in the shed ever since being recovered.
Shes not in an awful state, but definitely needs a bit of work. Generally needs a detailed service and clean, as well as some cosmetic attention.
Few more grimy pics:
I sourced a new original ignition switch with key on ebay and wired it up using diagrams found online. Haynes manual is purchased but not arrived yet.
The fuel lines from tank to carbs were so old and brittle they snapped off like plastic when trying to remove. Had to take off carbs to get the rest of the lines off the nipples. Replaced with new lines.
Battery was completely dead, so a new one bought and connected. Noticed the battery cage needs some TLC due to corrosion. A job for another weekend.
Old fuel drained and new stuff put in. Noticed a pinkish colour to the old fuel, most likely some build up of sludge and crap in the tank from having sat a few years with old fuel in. Checked flow from both petcocks - left hand was fine, right has slow flow. Engine oil is at the correct level but I will drain and replace it asap with 20w50.
Then tried to start her for the first time in 3 or 4 years. Starter turning strong, but worrying loud metallic bangs from what sounds like the left cylinder. Sounds like the noise a 12" adjustable spanner would make if it landed flat on to concrtete from a few feet up. Sharp, metallic and slightly louder than the turnover noise of the engine itself. No regular pattern to when it happens, happened about 4 times in the 30 seconds or so I had the starter button held first time. Second time, the bang only happened the second the starter button was pushed and the moment it was released. Third time, the banging noise didnt happen and the engine started to fire, only on the left cylinder though.
Anyone have any idea what that alarming banging noise may have been?
Subsequent attempts, again only left cylinder starting. Check the fuel supply from the right petcock and sure enough, no fuel there. Must be a blockage there which i'll need to fix at the weekend. Got a couple of petcock rebuild kits to do it right.
Noticed some smoking from around the exhaust rose nuts where the pipes enter the head. Hoping thats just the WD40 I sprayed on them during the week burning off but i suspect its more likely to be leaks which will need sorted.
This weekend, weather permitting, I will be:
Changing oil and filter, remembering the £2k O-ring info I read about.
Removing bowls from carbs and cleaning those, inc nozzles.
Cleaning out the tank and rebuilding petcocks to restore free fuel flow.
Trying to start her again, and hopefully manage an idle tickover with both cylinders firing.
I am completely new to working on bikes. Done a fair bit of DIY on my cars over the years, but any advice and help from those in the know would be much appreciated as I go along. If people are interested, I would be happy to update this thread with photos and progress over the coming weeks.
My K100's 2 year older than your R80 and it's my do-all Bike 
my first R65 gave me about Boxers! 
