Sometimes, like tonite, I quietly contemplate life over a mug of mead.
Mead seems to have special qualities that way, for me. But I digress, so lets get to the point ... and I apologize if this perhaps is a tune you've all heard once too many already.
See, I have this bike. A '86 R80 G/S with 41000 km on the clock and in perfect mechanical trim. Give it a good scrub and polish and it will be pristine, as well.
At the moment it is my ony bike, and I ride it more or less daily.
And, as is my nature, I'm slowly adapting said bike to my taste. Not much ... yet. Just stuff unbolted and placed in the 'I don't need THAT' pile in the attic.
But I know myself well. At some point I'll get to the more or less inevitable and hard to undo cutting and welding stage.
And it is a (semi) rare beast this bike. Being unupgraded and original.
I don't care about value, this specific bike isn't for sale. I intend to keep it. Indefinetly, as in someone will have to pry it from my cold hands one day.
But still it bothers me. A bit. On nights like this. That I'm not more into preservation than I am.
So, gentlemen (and ladies), what be your thoughts and feelings on the subject? In general terms, not just relating to this old viking and his old bike?
Mead seems to have special qualities that way, for me. But I digress, so lets get to the point ... and I apologize if this perhaps is a tune you've all heard once too many already.
See, I have this bike. A '86 R80 G/S with 41000 km on the clock and in perfect mechanical trim. Give it a good scrub and polish and it will be pristine, as well.
At the moment it is my ony bike, and I ride it more or less daily.
And, as is my nature, I'm slowly adapting said bike to my taste. Not much ... yet. Just stuff unbolted and placed in the 'I don't need THAT' pile in the attic.
But I know myself well. At some point I'll get to the more or less inevitable and hard to undo cutting and welding stage.
And it is a (semi) rare beast this bike. Being unupgraded and original.
I don't care about value, this specific bike isn't for sale. I intend to keep it. Indefinetly, as in someone will have to pry it from my cold hands one day.
But still it bothers me. A bit. On nights like this. That I'm not more into preservation than I am.
So, gentlemen (and ladies), what be your thoughts and feelings on the subject? In general terms, not just relating to this old viking and his old bike?
Every time that happens to another original g/s it makes mine worth a little bit more.......
It's a BMW. Almost all the parts that you are likely to want to err! modernise, are replaceable. I adapted/customised Jill's 100 GS a few years ago. All the parts I chopped about where bought second hand, and all the original parts have been boxed up and can be refitted if desired at a later date to bring the bike back to it's original state. 
) my favourite is an old 100/7 thats done over 200,000 miles. theres so many things wrong with it it would never be feasible to restore it, it's scruffy, leaks and the bores are badly worn. it's a great machine though, stands neglected for months at a time and then fires straight up and will take me anywhere. Thats what airheads should be like.
