R80GS / R100GS common faults

[The Other PaulG]

Hi - I'm looking for a R80/100GS and I'd like to know what the common faults are with these bikes, i.e. what should I be looking out for. (For instance, I think I read that the shaft drives are fragile - is that the case, and if so how would I test one?)

Is there any place (maybe on this website) where I can find that information?

Thanks,

Paul G

 

[Timolgra]

Top of the page and click on 'SEARCH' 3rd from right.

Tim

 

[rightsideup]

what should I be looking out for. (For instance, I think I read that the shaft drives are fragile - is that the case, and if so how would I test one?)

Paralever driveshafts are £244.40 inc VAT at the moment at Motobins, my '91 R100GS is still on it's original one at 60,000ish miles - I don't mind spending that if my mileage is typical. I know they can fail early but how often has that happened to folk here - it would be interesting to get some 'real world' stats rather than received wisdom.
Anyway, alternator rotors and diode boards (replace with solid mounts) also go but are cheap enough to replace. Apart from that, just look out for normal bike problems.
Good luck!

 

[rightsideup]

Oh, I forgot to mention that you can (sort of) test for an ill driveshaft by rotating the wheel and listening for nasty noises through a screwdriver against the shaft housing.

 

[istanbulian]

1. Original coils develop hairline cracks which result in falure when it is wet. Check and replace.
2. Speedometer's mist up when it is damp. Learn to live with it and buy a cyclecomputer for those days it is totally unreadable.
3. Standard rear shock absorber's soon go out of shape. Replace with Ohlins etc


Still on my original driveshaft but only on 40,000 miles so far

1an
'88 R100GS
Istanbul

 

[sorebums]

Valeo starter motor magnets come unglued and turn to rubble

Ignition units burn out

Gearbox springs fail

Gearbox drive shaft oil seals

I had a tail light blow ;-)

Charging indicator lights blow and take out the charging circuit until the bulb is replaced

Early rear subframes are weak under huge loads (paralever models are strong).

Simon

 

[rightsideup]

I had a tail light blow

Nasty, that's a tricky one to fix - I'm dreading it happening on mine!:^)

 

[Steptoe]

the first serious things to "go" on the majority of airheads ( all models) is the clutch and gearbox, the cracking coils can be replaced with Kseries coils ( a lot cheaper second hand , well i never guess who sells those ) . Get an earlier Bosch starter motor and they can be rebuilt/ reconditioned. Everything else depends on how the bikes been looked after, same as any other bike.

 

[Spanish Bob]

Get an earlier Bosch starter motor and they can be rebuilt/ reconditioned.

definately the thing to do but they are slightly less common than rocking horse shit.

in my case 60,000miles with the following incidents:
various speedo cable/connector thingies
gearbox bearings replaced
complete gearbox replacemnt
3 starter motors (Valeo - hijos de puta)
two rocker arms
engine oil pressure switch
rear shock
three batteries (varta)
new mirrors (rusted away)
new cam chain
new head bearings
new output bearings? (only know the name in Spanish)
Lots of rear bulbs (even with packing)
Indicator stalks virbate to death off road (4)

NO SHAFT PROBLEMS

upgrades:
hagon shock (I use the term upgrade very loosely)
WP fork spring and thicker oil
proper hand guards


not counting ll of the consumables, exhaust, carb membranes, servicing, accidents etc.

My bike was very well maintained in the garage and thrashed on the road - just as they should be.

still think its a great bike and despite what lots of people here think I am not convinced tht the G/S is as good.

 

[Howard Millichap]

Q :- What goes wrong with R100GSes?

A :- Everything.

But mine has had 'em all and they've been fixed. AND.........

It's for sale.

PM me or phone 01424721889 either before Tuesday the 6th July or after the 18th July to arrange a viewing. I'll be going on hols Tuesday evening.

 

[Spanish Bob]

for the moment

how are you feeling Howard?

bob

 

[Howard Millichap]

for the moment

how are you feeling Howard?

bob

Things are fixing slowly thanks Bob.
I can drive the car now so I'm going on holiday in the car on Tuesday to have the holiday I was going to have on the bike while I'm on a sick note.
Got to make the most of it you know!

 

[(RIP) maverick]

I know they can fail early but how often has that happened to folk here - it would be interesting to get some 'real world' stats rather than received wisdom.

My 100GS shaft went on 44k miles. No warning just huge virbation all of the sudden and viola one shaft fcuked. Suppose the fact that I always overloaded the beast and rode the living crap out of it did do the justice

Another common occurence is the valves that needs reconditioning on about 60k + miles. Again I think the rider style has more to do with this than the bike. Before my 100gs saw 55k miles I had to revamp:

Shaft
Bevel drive seal
Gearbox seals and bearings
Coil
Indicator switch

Other bits and pieces which I put down all to age. You can't expect miracles from a bike that is nearly 15 years old if like mine was a 89' model.

Would I buy another one - Hell yes!

You can buy attitude - Harley or you can ride attitude - GS Airhead