R100GS best mods.

[ChasF]

I refurbished my 1989 R100GS earlier in the year and I'm now thinking of making a few improvements. I've already fitted lower footrests and 35mm bar risers and am thinking of doing something with the forks and front brake.

I would be interested to hear what others have done and with what effect.

The bike is on TKCs and has a very sturdy homemade bashplate but in reality is used mainly on the road. Some long trips two up may be on the cards.

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

Now for what its worth and before others come on and tell you to add this and change that, (all for the better) let me give you my take on this
You presumably chose this bike for all the right reasons, its a great bike with character and enormous capabilities for an old un. All it really needs is your bum in its saddle and some fuel in the tank. yes you can make it stop better or go better but if that is what you want ,buy a newer model with a bigger engine and servo brakes. An 89 gs is what it is and will be more valuable if kept original but still able to put a grin on your face whilst riding a proper
BM rather than a "bitsa". Now2 I do admire some of the fantastic conversions as seen on this site and no doubt they will out perform the "original" but if you have a nice one then keep it like it is.

 

[ChasF]

I tend to agree with you Pastyman. I have owned the bike for 18 years and it has already taken us through Africa with only minor mods. (new shock and big panniers)

I would like to improve the front brake a bit and would like some opinions regarding progressive springs in the forks. I owned an 1150GS for a few years and although the brakes were better it wasn't as good as the 100. I'm not worried about the value of the bike as I'll never sell it but don't plan to chop it about. I'm still trying to find a ratty one at a reasonable price to do some more extreme mods. on.

 

[Rob Farmer]

I wouldn't bother with progressive springs. I recently fitted some of the Motorworks ones in my R100. Complete waste of money and time. The standard springs are far better.

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

good on yer. I suppose Im not one to preach as my 100 is a bit modded, It was like that when I got it with the 43 ltr tank, (looks dead butch but not really much use) Ohlin rear shock and braided brake hose, both excellent. my 80 g/s however is bog standard and is going to stay that way

 

[ChasF]

I wouldn't bother with progressive springs. I recently fitted some of the Motorworks ones in my R100. Complete waste of money and time. The standard springs are far better.

That's dissappointing, I've always heard good reports of them on the GS. The standard springs (or standard forks) don't react well to small bumps so it seems logical to me that the progressive spring should improve this.

 

[tonyq6551]

gs

mines a bog standard r100gs/pd 1996 classic.only bought 3 months ago and i'm smitten.already done a tour round scotland and up to the simmer dim rally on shetland.fully loaded for camping not a problem in standard trim.of to france/belgium/luxenburg/germany on the 1 sept.ca'nt wait?

 

[Redboots]

I wouldn't bother with progressive springs.

That's dissappointing

Put them on mine and found them to be good. As with all bikes that don't have 'em, it just removes that initial jolt on bridge joints and the like, otherwise no difference.

I am also in the camp that wants to improve anything that can be, within reason.
I could never own a "mint" 60's anything. Why? Because I had bikes in the sixties and they were, well, shit. Or at least certain aspects of them were so if I built a Triton now it would have to have proper brakes/electrics/suspension AND you can buy all that stuff for them

So, mine has the shaft/starter/front brake/rear shock/progressive front/Hawker (in a small SS tray)/big toolbox. They all seem to me to worth doing.

I was going to upgrade the alternator but I'm no longer sure its worth it. It runs my heated gloves just fine

Next thing will be the headlight. I'm getting the plastic lamp holder made in quarter alloy plate and then I can stick either an H4 HID unit or the twin 3.5 inch units with HIDs.

I love to fiddle

John

PS: Why are messages going more than fullscreen these days Very annoying to have to keep scrolling left & right

 

[Solo Lobo]

The most common (and best IMHO) mod for the forks here in the US is to install a RaceTEch cartridge emulator... here is a link to some information on the process... that with stock springs and 10wt oil made the front end of my GS magic off-road.

http://www.gunsmoke.com/motorcycling/r100gs/gold_valve/

The Racetech's are sold only in pairs, and the GS uses only one (G/S mono uses a different part number than the GS and takes a pair)

 

[steve in nz]

front forks

i have had my old shitter (that always gets me home ) for nine years. I have ridden several others and mine tracks like a train most of the time. Have an Ohlins on the back. The front end moves around a little bit, but hey that all part of the fun. Why change something if it is livable. and re the front brake Solo Lobo can give ya a link for the cheapest option there

 

[Solo Lobo]

and re the front brake Solo Lobo can give ya a link for the cheapest option there

Sure can, here you go!

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75031&highlight=nissin

 

[Rob Farmer]

French Tom/Redboots,

I've recently acquired a 93 100 pd that would benefit from improved fork action. What make were the springs you fitted?

I fitted Motorworks own into an R100. The coils at the end are wound too tight, when the plastic end caps are fitted the springs distort rubbing on the side of the stanchion. The action of the springs leave alot to be desired as well.

 

[judge]

I have/had WP Progressive springs in mine and along with the weightier oil and using the Milichap Cocktail (do a search) it transformed my front end and further improved the braking improvements of 4-pot caliper, braided line and HH sintered pads.

Don't think you could improve that for road use (occasional off-road forays) without going up to chunky forks and IMHO there's no need and its overkill.

Otherwise whack an F650 front end on it - (that idea came from Rob himself).

 

[Redboots]

French Tom/Redboots,

I've recently acquired a 93 100 pd that would benefit from improved fork action. What make were the springs you fitted?

The PD Classic I just acquired has WP springs. Paperwork says they are Manual Pro-Line an fit a BMW F650 94> with 10w oil.
Part number9932.0205.a

The '94 PD has Wilbers Ecoline which the box states are for a R100GS Para type 247E 88-96. Also with 10w

They both feel AOK
John

 

[toadjam]

gs pd mods

pfm cast iron disc + brighter headlight bulb .

stops you running into sheep when its dark for 20 hrs a day .

hello tony , see you at the dim next year , come up on wednesday , might be sober enough for conversation then .

 

[abrasion]

French Tom/Redboots,

I've recently acquired a 93 100 pd that would benefit from improved fork action. What make were the springs you fitted?

I fitted Motorworks own into an R100. The coils at the end are wound too tight, when the plastic end caps are fitted the springs distort rubbing on the side of the stanchion. The action of the springs leave alot to be desired as well.

Rob

Have a word with Revsracing.
John has been in the business for years and really knows his stuff.
0121 501 3321
or www.revsracing.co.uk

Did an excellent job on sorting out that shock you sold me after some else made a bodge of it.

 

[Beemerboff]

I have a Ohlins shock on the back , the basic no remote model with a 80 whatits spring , and the HPN Marzocci Magnum inserts in the front forks.

They work perfectly together , and are simply a different class from the OEM set up.

Decent pads make a big difference to the front brake - the Lucas/ TRW HH ones are available on Ebay and are excellent. And if you can find a cheap 12mm or 11 mm master cylinder that makes a big difference too.

I have a six pot Toxico with EBC HH pads on the front now, but I cant say it is much better than the old set up.

And my bike loves Mitas E08 tires, all the suspension taper bearings set just right , and a CC Products fork brace.

It also goes better with the snorkels unclipped from the air box , and a big hole in the plate in either end of the muffler , but I usually keep quiet about that as no one believes me, and it sounds so juvenile---.