Things to Look out For..The search Continues.

[flytoolow]

Well, as some of you maybe aware, I "think" I'm in the process of looking for an Airhead GS..

Ive posted in this section before..and the search is continuing.
The reasons for an Airhead are Im looking for something smaller than my 1150GSA but still with a little grunt for small 2 up days out, and a bit of a mud plugger for green lanes.

Being new to the ways of the Airhead, Is there anything particular that I should check for before I hand over the cash? It's an 89 model R80GS.

...and no...I dont "smell of wee"

 

[fayeslane]

...and no...I dont "smell of wee"

Yet

 

[flytoolow]

Yet

 

[Rob Farmer]

Nobody explained the initiation ceremony to you yet then?

 

[David Nimrod]

Nobody explained the initiation ceremony to you yet then?

I did that 'initiation' in 1984, and I still wake up in the middle of the night, screaming, lying in a pool of piss

 

[Benjamin M]

Nobody explained the initiation ceremony to you yet then?

Must admit that was worried when Sid handed me the youngest tosser trophy as to what it might contain

 

[flytoolow]

...Already four replies...and Im still non the wiser....

...Shouldnt you lot be on the 1200 forum

 

[David Nimrod]

...Already four replies...and Im still non the wiser....

...Shouldnt you lot be on the 1200 forum

No, but maybe you should be

 

[flytoolow]

No, but maybe you should be

 

[David Nimrod]

only joking

I wouldn't wish 1200 ownership on anyone...

 

[sidestand]

Check spokes all OK, play on the rear hub- for bearings, Final Drive - not clunking too much, oil weeping from drive shaft casings
Bounce the front a few times for head race bearings.
Run it on tickover & see if the charge warning light is staying on

Then the usual stuff - all lights & electrics, chassis & engine numbers match the V5 etc. - there's plenty of 'bitsas' about.

Then ask one of the real experts what else - I'm just a new boy

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Red light does not go fully out till around 800 rpm on my Gertie..
900/1000 rpm on my R90s
Timing chain rattle is common and a doddle to do.
If it's close to 40K miles, ask if exhaust valves have been replaced.
If not, budget to do it, there's a smart new replacement valve available now [that does not lose it's head @40K] Rob Farmers used 'em
Whilst doing heads, replace pushrod tubes with stainless ones, again a doddle to do.

Look in the past events, Airhead weekends, pics of what is entailed on some jobs, plus damn good piss up..

 

[(RIP) Arkwright]

only joking

I wouldn't wish 1200 ownership on anyone...

I like mine as well as my Airheads, David, good bike if you look after it, I certainly wouldn't sell it!

 

[Padmei]

Just buy it & worry about fixing things later. That's why we all are on this forum

 

[sidestand]

Must admit, that's what I did - but it was a £1K garage find

 

[Grosvenor 61]

Well, as some of you maybe aware, I "think" I'm in the process of looking for an Airhead GS..

Ive posted in this section before..and the search is continuing.
The reasons for an Airhead are Im looking for something smaller than my 1150GSA but still with a little grunt for small 2 up days out, and a bit of a mud plugger for green lanes.

Being new to the ways of the Airhead, Is there anything particular that I should check for before I hand over the cash? It's an 89 model R80GS.

...and no...I dont "smell of wee"

May be worth having a look in the tank - I spent many hours cleaning out the rust & re-sealing mine - bought it as a non-runner, spent more time & money than I had envisaged getting it sorted but absolutely no regrets.

 

[fayeslane]

It's an 89 model R80GS.

Have you got any pics of the bike? The wise ones here will quickly point out any anomalies

 

[pete.keys]

Have you got any pics of the bike? The wise ones here will quickly point out any anomalies

thats the best suggestion: find one: take photos and let the knowledgeable ones on here review it and suggest value before parting with your cash

 

[Flipfly]

If it runs and the lights etc work then you can budget for all of them to break down at some point. If they don't work then budget to make them work.

If it is very clean, then I would walk away as the seller is obviously trying to hide something. A dirty one is worth staying clear of too as they are a bugger to clean up to hide any of the things that may be wrong.

When you do buy it, do not ride it!!!! This is very important as riding it is a binding contract to agree to repair, love and cherish it. This will cause you hair to fall out, your belly to grow, hairs to sprout in places that they shouldn't and a loss of any bladder control.

Airheads.......Bad for the wallet, great for the soul

 

[SeanW]

my very limited experience from rebuilding my very doggy 100GS -

rotted collector box/ blown-out silencer likely to be failry costly

new/refurbed driveshafts also seem to cost way out of proportion to their material worth

new rear shock will cost minimum £300 for basic Hagon unit (I don't have the money for anything fancier yet...)

on the other hand, loads of other parts - a lot of the stuff that wears out/ may need frequent replacement is pretty cheap - I've barely had to buy a genuine BM part during my rebuild