R80 GS Restoration options

[japes1275]

Hello,

My dad owns a 1985 R80 GS which I think falls into this area of the forum and I am guessing is a mono lever type as it has only one joint on the rear arm.

He's owned it about 20 years and the bike has now done over 50k miles. It's been off the road for a couple of years with an ignition problem and now sits at the back of the garage looking a bit sad and in need of some TLC.

He's expressed a desire to get it back on the road again and although he would normally do the work himself, the BMW is a bit modern compared to his other bikes. Also he's getting on a bit and losing interest in spending hours in a cold garage.

Could anyone recommend somewhere we could get some quotes to get the work done or even for a full restoration?

I think we have 3 options:

Just get the work done to get it running and ready for an MOT

Do a mini restoration with some cosmetic and mechanical work being done

Have a full ground up restoration


I know it's not going to be cheap for any of those options compared to what my dad is used to but I think it would be nice to see it restored to at least a half decent condition. It has the standard and Dakar style tanks and full H&b luggage so its going to be a nice machine if done right.

Any suggestions of suitable restorers or cost estimations appreciated.

Thanks

John

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

Hello,

My dad owns a 1985 R80 GS which I think falls into this area of the forum and I am guessing is a mono lever type as it has only one joint on the rear arm.

He's owned it about 20 years and the bike has now done over 50k miles. It's been off the road for a couple of years with an ignition problem and now sits at the back of the garage looking a bit sad and in need of some TLC.

He's expressed a desire to get it back on the road again and although he would normally do the work himself, the BMW is a bit modern compared to his other bikes. Also he's getting on a bit and losing interest in spending hours in a cold garage.

Could anyone recommend somewhere we could get some quotes to get the work done or even for a full restoration?

I think we have 3 options:

Just get the work done to get it running and ready for an MOT

Do a mini restoration with some cosmetic and mechanical work being done

Have a full ground up restoration


I know it's not going to be cheap for any of those options compared to what my dad is used to but I think it would be nice to see it restored to at least a half decent condition. It has the standard and Dakar style tanks and full H&b luggage so its going to be a nice machine if done right.

Any suggestions of suitable restorers or cost estimations appreciated.

Thanks

John

I've dropped you a PM fella

EDIT - I can't as you're not a subscriber ..... if you wanna have a chat about options please give me a call on the number in my sig below.

 

[Rob Farmer]

John,

where are you in the country?

 

[japes1275]

I'm in Lincoln but my dad lives in Lancashire which is where the bike is.

We will be able to transport the bike on a trailer but I suppose the nearer to the north west as possible would be best.

TunnerUK, I'm probably being a biff but I don't seem to be able to see your number!

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

I'm in Lincoln but my dad lives in Lancashire which is where the bike is.

We will be able to transport the bike on a trailer but I suppose the nearer to the north west as possible would be best.

TunnerUK, I'm probably being a biff but I don't seem to be able to see your number!

My number is 07714 266 627

I am however in the South East but depending on how much wrk you decide to have done then getting the bike to me may become fairly insignificant in the scheme of things.

 

[japes1275]

Exactly!!

I'll give you a call later.

Cheers

John

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

Good to speak to you today John,

Here's the threads I mentioned on the phone. (and a couple of others!)

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showth...r-project&highlight=two+stroke+winter+project

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?338883-Barn-find&highlight=barn+find

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showth...cle-services&highlight=ct+motorcycle+services

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?310781-Light-Resto&highlight=light+resto
I look forward to hearing from you

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

Hi John,

Did you make any decisions on what you'd like to do?

 

[Steptoe]

Just get the work done to get it running and ready for an MOT

Do a mini restoration with some cosmetic and mechanical work being done

Have a full ground up restoration

Don't have a full restoration. You'll be chucking money down the drain.

Get it running, MOT'd, and then sort out the usual airhead GS minor problems that raise their head. i.e. Exhaust valves can fail at 60-80k miles on the 80/100 models, so it's common to have those changed.