That's an excellent result, mate. Nice one!
R100CS Barn Find Re-commission
- Thread starter (RIP) Tunneruk
- Start date
chad
Registered user
having seen this thing in the flesh and had a sit on it i can confirm its as honest a beautiful as it looks in the pics
enjoy it Chris there as rare as hens teeth 
enjoy it Chris there as rare as hens teeth 
Happy for you it's a great looking bike and airheads are always fun to ride.
You'll get to see it on Monday fella!!
Another great bike saved from the clueless hipsters and café racer crowd!
Can I have a go on it?
Hmmmm I'm not sure, have you ridden many bikes before? It is an airhead after all, you need to know what you're doing to ride one!
Hmmmm I'm not sure, have you ridden many bikes before? It is an airhead after all, you need to know what you're doing to ride one!
I know enough to realise you can spend an awful lot of time and money on one - be careful out there!
I know enough to realise you can spend an awful lot of time and money on one - be careful out there!
I'm looking forward to your expert opinion fella!
Don't ask me - I'm one of the clueless café racer crowd!
(although, if it makes any difference, you can scrub the 'café' bit out of mine!).
I rode a CS back in 2000 and I've never forgotten it - nicest Airhead I ever rode. Wouldn't change a thing.
Don't ask me - I'm one of the clueless café racer crowd!
(although, if it makes any difference, you can scrub the 'café' bit out of mine!).
I rode a CS back in 2000 and I've never forgotten it - nicest Airhead I ever rode. Wouldn't change a thing.
Well I've only ridden a couple and this one is utterly gorgeous to ride! You're more than welcome to take it out for a spin!
Another Update ...
I've been away around Europe on my KTM for the last 10 days. I've had plenty of alone time in my lid to think about my lovely old CS.
Don't all wince and shout too much but I think I'm going to convert it into a flat tracker ........
...... Now you know I'm only kidding!!
I absolutely love the bike but in the flesh it's just on the wrong side of tatty to do the bike justice. So, to that affect I have decided to restore it. It'll be gorgeous, it'll be flawless and it'll be what the bike deserves. I won't replace anything but will restore everything, sympathetically and respectfully. I'll need to replace some service items but I'll use BMW OE parts.
I fully appreciate that it's a bit of a shame to wash away the originality but what's left is pretty shabby now so it deserves a big old birthday ready for the next chapter of it's life.
I've been away around Europe on my KTM for the last 10 days. I've had plenty of alone time in my lid to think about my lovely old CS.
Don't all wince and shout too much but I think I'm going to convert it into a flat tracker ........
...... Now you know I'm only kidding!!
I absolutely love the bike but in the flesh it's just on the wrong side of tatty to do the bike justice. So, to that affect I have decided to restore it. It'll be gorgeous, it'll be flawless and it'll be what the bike deserves. I won't replace anything but will restore everything, sympathetically and respectfully. I'll need to replace some service items but I'll use BMW OE parts.
I fully appreciate that it's a bit of a shame to wash away the originality but what's left is pretty shabby now so it deserves a big old birthday ready for the next chapter of it's life.
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I think you are doing the right thing...these bikes are getting old and crusty these days ( like the owners ) and most DO need a restoration/revamp at this stage in their mechanical life....and she'll be a far better bike for it 
If a keeper, best let Scrimminger ( or whoever else does them these days ) to rework the heads ( unleaded/valves etc ) and sonic clean the carbs and a rebuild kit. This alone will transform the bike.
We will need photos though
) and most DO need a restoration/revamp at this stage in their mechanical life....and she'll be a far better bike for it If a keeper, best let Scrimminger ( or whoever else does them these days ) to rework the heads ( unleaded/valves etc ) and sonic clean the carbs and a rebuild kit. This alone will transform the bike.
We will need photos though
(RIP) Mark H
Formerly known as Easyrider5258 (Mark)
" I fully appreciate that it's a bit of a shame to wash away the originality " your right about that, not much else I'm afraid in my opinion, I would leave it as is, and I think it will be better for it 
nobody needs another museum piece 
bit like saying your going to "restore" the mona lisa
nobody needs another museum piece bit like saying your going to "restore" the mona lisa
" I fully appreciate that it's a bit of a shame to wash away the originality " your right about that, not much else I'm afraid in my opinion, I would leave it as is, and I think it will be better for it
Completely understand the sentiment, however if you've not seen the bike in the flesh then you can't fully appreciate exactly what condition it's in. I agree that keeping a bike in original condition is important but not at all costs. I'm a huge advocate for keeping patina but corrosion and rust through poor storage is a different matter.
I'll take some more realistic photographs which will hopefully explain a little better.
It needs restoring. I wouldn't be happy riding it about in that state. Just don't paint the frame gloss, they look terrible.
I've just found the original sales brochure for the 1981 range of bikes. They look nice with the optional spoked wheels.
I've just found the original sales brochure for the 1981 range of bikes. They look nice with the optional spoked wheels.
(RIP) Mark H
Formerly known as Easyrider5258 (Mark)
It's your bike to do with as you wish, but as a painter (And I've been one too) it's hard to see / own anything that's not minty, but believe me you will do this machine no favours, but I'm sure it will look very "Nice" 
"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!"
"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!"
Go for it Chris, your 'resto' will be, without doubt, totally sympathetic to the bike...patina is lovely, on someone else's bike... 
If when you decide to move it on, give me a shout please, along with all the others that have said the same of course....
If when you decide to move it on, give me a shout please, along with all the others that have said the same of course....
Nice to see the pictures at last Chris - I didn't notice this thread when you first posted it. Shame George isn't going to be riding it but glad it hasn't ended up somewhere in Shoreditch with a skinny jeaned twat hacking parts off. Look forward to you bringing it to Brands Hatch next time!
There's a difference between patina and tatty and there is a difference between a full restoration and a bit of tidying up.
It's hard to tell from the photos but it looks like sitting in a shed for 15 years has taken the shine off and it'd benefit from a nice tidying job rather than a full blown restoration.
Nice bike, wish I'd kept mine.
It's hard to tell from the photos but it looks like sitting in a shed for 15 years has taken the shine off and it'd benefit from a nice tidying job rather than a full blown restoration.
Nice bike, wish I'd kept mine.
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