R100CS Barn Find Re-commission

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

A lovely old chap (by the name of George) walked into my workshop a couple of months ago and asked "Do you do work on old BMW's?" ... Like a shot I replied that I did sometimes depending on what the work was. "I've had it from new but it's been sat in my shed for 15 years gathering dust. I'd like to ride it again so was wondering if you'd come and collect it and put it back on the road for me" Well I didn't need too much persuading
I went over later that afternoon to have a look, George opened up the shed door to reveal a 1983 R100CS covered in brambles, dust, pigeon shit, cobwebs, leaves and god knows what else ... We agreed that I'd return to collect the bike and bring it back to CT HQ for an appraisal. Sadly when I got back there he'd cleared the majority of the debris away to make the bike easier to get out.

It turns out that old George bought this bike new in 1983, rode every one of it's 54,000 miles then put it in his shed when he was 68 as he felt it was time to hang up his riding gloves. 15 years later, the now 83 year old George fancies riding the old girl again

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The plan was to get the bike up and running to check all was well with the engine / gearbox, once this was established then go right through the bike and run it in for an MOT.
Geroge could then establish if he felt able and safe to ride the bike, then see if he can get himself insured on it. On paper, he's 83, it's 1000cc bike and he's not had any two wheeled time for 15 years. You could understand an insurance companies's reluctance to offer cover.

If all both of the above are in the positive then we'll talk about some cosmetic restoration. I'm reluctant to touch it if I'm honest as it's so bloody original, it still has the original BMW first aid kit under the seat
If George is unable to ride the bike on the road any more then the bike will be offered for sale.

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I loaded it up and brought it back ...

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First thing was to lift the fork gators .... which revealed absolutely pristine fork chrome and seals, a very good sign!

Sadly the bottom seam of the fuel tank had seeped through over the years so that'd need to be addressed.

The brake master cylinder was shot.

I dropped the float bowls to reveal lovely clean carbs, popped the plugs out and dropped a teaspoon of diesel into the bores, spun it over on a jump pack and all was well. Plugs back in, dummy tank with fresh fuel, choke on and prodded the starter button ...... fired first push and sat there idling there sweetly!!

A new master cylinder (the old one had a corroded bore), new forward rubber brake lines and a full service kit were ordered from Motorworks (Always an absolute pleasure to deal with)

I stripped, cleaned and rebuilt the callipers using the original pistons with new seals, cleaned and sealed the tank, stripped and cleaned the fuel taps and replaced the fuel lines, added a new Yuasa battery.

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I've done no cosmetic work whatsoever, just given it a damn good scrub. Surfice to say she flew through an MOT yesterday

I'll be honest, I've not ridden many airheads but this is by far the best I've ride, it's utterly gorgeous and I'm totally smitten. If I get the chance to own this bike I'd leave it exactly as it is, it's got such lovely patina, genuine patina from normal use. I love that the pinstripes have worn off the tank in places and I love it's honesty!

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[Lord Snooty]

Fabulous, let's hope George can get insured and continue to enjoy the bike in his twilight years

 

[Posh Pete]

They are relatively rare beasts. Can't remember the exact number but not many were made.

 

[JPR]

Be a nice touch if you could post a picture of George sat astride the beast.

 

[Fluffmeister]

Well done once again, I love the look of that CS to. Good luck to George.

 

[Hustler]

Brilliant.

Very well done CT.

Good luck George and please let us know what happens next.

 

[Arsey]

Nice.Not really a barn find though-the guy kept it at home in his shed and knew it was there!!

sent eventually using Twatatalk

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

Nice.Not really a barn find though-the guy kept it at home in his shed and knew it was there!!

sent eventually using Twatatalk

Yeah ....... But I didn't!

 

[GSMartin]

Great story and a good looking bike. I hope he gets his insurance sorted and is able to ride the bike.

 

[John B]

R1100CS

That's a nice looking bike, had a couple of R90's in the past but that would be one very useable classic and a damn sight more practical, sounds sweet in the video too, hope George gets at least one last go on her. Cheers John B

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

That's a nice looking bike, had a couple of R90's in the past but that would be one very useable classic and a damn sight more practical, sounds sweet in the video too, hope George gets at least one last go on her. Cheers John B

I've done about 60 miles on it today, what a cracking bike to ride, so much character but without being a pain in the arse!

It has however highlighted that the valve guide oil seals might have suffered in the 15 year lay up. I parked it up on the side stand when I got back then started it up again about an hour later and it spat out a big old puff of smoke which cleared with a couple of revs. Understandable I guess given the circumstances, I will monitor the situation over the next week.

 

[Wrinkly]

You could always look after it for him and take him for a spin on the pillion occasionally

 

[jonnie comet]

What a lovely bike....PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't repaint/restore/update/feck about with...etc....etc......(I get the feeling that THAT is not your style CT... )

Hope George gets to ride it again, and when HE decides to sell I hope he gives us lot first refusal.....

 

[Rob Farmer]

That big cloud of smoke is normal if you leave them on the side stand.

 

[(RIP) Mark H]

I agree with above, Doesn't hurt to have a bit of upper cyl lube anyway!

I had one of these and would love 1st refusal on it if the time comes to move it on, I can promise it will go to a good home and remain as it is and just maintained and ridden;

Here's a pic of mine fitted with an RS fairing, think BMW produced about 4000 of them



BMW R100CS (RS Fairing) by Mark Handley, on Flickr

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

What a lovely bike....PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't repaint/restore/update/feck about with...etc....etc......(I get the feeling that THAT is not your style CT... )

Hope George gets to ride it again, and when HE decides to sell I hope he gives us lot first refusal.....

I hope he rides it too, he's a cracking old boy! I'll do my very best to dissuade him from any cosmetic work. Should it come to it that he has to sell it I'm promised to have first refusal. Hopefully it won't come to that though.

That big cloud of smoke is normal if you leave them on the side stand.

That's a bit of a relief, I said to Giles, "have a listen to this, it's gorgeous" and then proceeded to belch a cloud of smoke out at him!

 

[Edward]

4038 produced and the fastest airhead. This is my one.

 

[tuftywhite]

They are a great looking bike. Nice story Chris. I hope the old fella gets a ride on it soon.

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

Update -

Well George came back from his extended trip to Ireland yesterday so I took the CS round to him today. It is with genuine sadness that I write that he struggled to get on the thing. We tried a few techniques, on the side stand, off the side stand, bending leg at the knee, going over the saddle heel first but all of which required me holding and tilting the bike. He resigned himself to the fact quite quickly and almost seemed a little relieved that the pressure was off. He said "My wife will be so pleased, she was dreading me riding a motorbike again"

He went down to his cellar and brought out the original panniers, all the keys, an underseat lock etc etc.

He's decided to sell the bike so I said I'd either buy it from him or help him find the 'right' home for it. He asked me how much I thought it was worth but to be honest I didn't have a clue. I want to do right by him and get him the right money for it.

So, to those in the know, what's a fair value for the old girl? I honestly don't have a clue!!

Here's George sitting on the bike for the last time, bless him.

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[Kenny]

I'd start that on Ebay at £2,000 as a project. Or put an M.O.T. on her and start at £2,250 etc ( I only just managed to sell an immaculate R100T for £2,950 )

Always sad when you hear of a fellow biker having to hang up his boots