Nice getting my R100R running again and riding.

[Clifton]

Long story but the short version is 3 years ago I backed my 1993 R100R out of the garage, started it and within 5 seconds it died never to run again until now. It was a no spark condition and after I installed a new battery, plugs, wires, and Wedgetail ignition system over 6 months, it still wouldn't spark so I just left it sitting in the garage and rode other bikes. Last year I figured I was over my head so I took it to a mechanic who couldn't get it to spark either. When he tried a coil off another bike it misfired a couple times then quit. He felt it was the Wedgetail system and suggested it be put back to stock so I ordered a new stock bean can and ignition for him and still no spark so he threw his arms up. I picked up the bike and ignition systems then drove 4.5 hours (each way) to leave it with an airhead mechanic I know.

I asked him to install the Wedgetail system correctly and please get it running. After a few weeks he finally got to my bike so I drove there and picked it up yesterday and indeed it started right up. He double checked the advance with a strobe which was right on. So today with expired plate, no inspection in years, and no insurance, I took it out for the first time in 3 years and must say I enjoyed every minute, I think because it takes me back to my first BMW a 1976 R75/6. That was until motoring along at 75 mph in traffic it started missing..... I quickly turned the petcock handle up as it quit altogether but after another 5 seconds it started running normally. 15 miles later I filled it with out 90 octane (R+M)/2 non-ethanol, rode it another 30 miles home to get ready for a damn dinner engagement when all I wanted to do was keep riding.


Today almost back home.

 

[The Other PaulG]

Excellent, well done for getting it back on the road. Now it needs regular use!

 

[Clifton]

Thank you Paul. Yes I plan on riding it often again. Now if I could figure how to keep the panniers from falling off I could take it on longer rides. Something must be worn out I assume the plastic mounts themselves.

 

[GBClassic]

Hi
I loved my 100R, only got it for sale now cos I'm too weak to ride.

I found fitting a turn or 2 of tape on the rail packed up the space so the panniers didnt rattle.

George

 

[Clifton]

Hi George, did yours ever fall off? After the first time one fell off I made double sure to lock the latch that clamps the pannier to the mount but a week later one (mostly empty) fell off again and when I went back and found it along the road the latch was still closed and locked. After the third time one came partially off, in spite of having a strap around it and the mount, I lost trust in them.

Maybe I'll try tape which should work for a while at least. I don't know if replacement mounts are still available, when I looked a few years back they were but were expensive. Still I'd buy them if I knew that would fix the issue. Or it could be the panniers themselves are worn where they rest on the mounts, and or the hook style latch is worn.

 

[GBClassic]

Hi
they never fell off. In fact I have 4 pairs because I have a K75 I cant ride either. Getting the panniers off the K is epic.

George

 

[Clifton]

Are you selling your K75 as well George? Thinking of acquiring something lighter?

 

[Larry Langford]

Hi George, did yours ever fall off? After the first time one fell off I made double sure to lock the latch that clamps the pannier to the mount but a week later one (mostly empty) fell off again and when I went back and found it along the road the latch was still closed and locked. After the third time one came partially off, in spite of having a strap around it and the mount, I lost trust in them.

Maybe I'll try tape which should work for a while at least. I don't know if replacement mounts are still available, when I looked a few years back they were but were expensive. Still I'd buy them if I knew that would fix the issue. Or it could be the panniers themselves are worn where they rest on the mounts, and or the hook style latch is worn.

It's good to see you getting the airhead out ... well done. My slash 5 is on about the third set of saddlebags and I think the second windjammer. The bags I have now are wixom fiberglass (look like Harley stuff) and they have posts that go thru the bag and then there are pins that go thru the posts, holding the bag on ... I think i would dump that set of bags you have .....
Also to mention I have foremost insurance thru farmers, and they include my old airhead for free with my newer BMWs year around. might give them a look and its pretty cheap too .... My RS and GS are both full coverage too ... They started out higher than this but have lowered the premium to 476.00 now. me thinks that is decent .... ride safe ....

 

[Clifton]

Thank you!

I've been out studying the panniers and Z mounts for a bit and have just about come to the conclusion to forget the hard panniers. If they were the tubular metal mounts it'd be easy to secure the panniers to them using bolts, wing nuts, and brackets but mine are hollow ribbed plastic Z mounts which are worn down around where the pannier latches hook to them. The left and right replacement z mounts will cost almost $300 and I still might not trust them. I have a set of RKA toss over soft panniers sitting on the shelf so I may as well just use them when I need luggage.

As far as insurance I have my bikes covered through Progressive and the airhead is next to nothing but thanks for the suggestion, I'll check Foremost when time comes to renew.

 

[Larry Langford]

Thank you!

I've been out studying the panniers and Z mounts for a bit and have just about come to the conclusion to forget the hard panniers. If they were the tubular metal mounts it'd be easy to secure the panniers to them using bolts, wing nuts, and brackets but mine are hollow ribbed plastic Z mounts which are worn down around where the pannier latches hook to them. The left and right replacement z mounts will cost almost $300 and I still might not trust them. I have a set of RKA toss over soft panniers sitting on the shelf so I may as well just use them when I need luggage.

As far as insurance I have my bikes covered through Progressive and the airhead is next to nothing but thanks for the suggestion, I'll check Foremost when time comes to renew.

I used to ride with someone who had a 93" roadster .... it was the purple one and i really loved that bike. I agree that the wixom bags would be awkward on a roadster. I also have the throw over bags for the /5. I used them thrown over all my camping gear after it was tidied down on the pillion part of the seat. I just used them for clean clothes and sometimes food for a campout, with the wixom bags completely full. The throw over bags come out right over the wixom bags .....
I forgot to mention that it probably helps that my pickups and house are with farmers and they do get even with me there it seems ...

 

[Micky]

Good one Clifton

R100R perhaps one of the best BMW motorcycles ever built

I had one, loved it, travelled Europe on it. Twin plugged and gas flowed. WP rear suspension unit. Front forks 'worked on' by Ron Williams at Maxton engineering.
The one 'bike I should never have sold

Elephant Rally 1999 ...

West Coast of Ireland ...

 

[Clifton]

I bet the airheads were slow to turn over and start at the Elephant Rally!

I love riding this R100R and if I knew it'd be mostly trouble free for 30K more miles I'd be keeping it for sure. But it now has 31,000 miles (I bought it with 6K) and in the time I've had it the list of repairs and maintenance has been far and away more than any motorcycle I've ever owned. Off the top of my head the starter was replaced, pushrod seals replaced on one side, neutral switch replaced due to leaking, transmission bearings replaced with circlip installed, leaking transmission output seal replaced, panniers falling off, now ignition system replaced.

I'm trying to decide whether to sell it now while it's in good running order or enjoy it yet always worrying what will fail nest? Probably the drive shaft..... Yet that you say "it's the one you should never have sold" has me wanting to hang on to it. Thanks for that Micky!