Time for a new project

Cut the cones off the end of the exhausts

Cut 8 to 10 inches off the exhaust

Refit Cones

Stand Back and Check for asthetic pleasure factor and weld up if pleasing OR if not asthetically pleasing Cut More exhaust off! and recheck!
 

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Can you really adjust the front wheel bearings on these? Or do you mean steering head bearings?

Yip, Rob checked the preload as received and there was none:eek:.

Fitted smaller shim/wedding band and all is fixed :thumb2
 
Can you really adjust the front wheel bearings on these? Or do you mean steering head bearings?

The shimming is critical on these get it too loose or too tight and the bearings wear rapidly. Snowbum has an article on them (if you don't mind some eye strain :D) http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/section4.htm

It's actually very easy if you have the right kit. I use a couple of those small torque drivers, bought on Ebay for 99p each, and a certified calibration gauge for them again on Ebay for £25. The torque drivers need to work in the range of 1.5 Nm and 4.5 Nm. You then need a decent set of the shims which cost around £80 for a fair selection. It sounds a lot of cash to get set up but it cost me around a £100 last time I paid for a pair of wheels to have new bearings and be shimmed. If you're messing about with airheads a lot then it's a no brainer to buy the kit to do it.
 
The shimming is critical on these get it too loose or too tight and the bearings wear rapidly. http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/section4.htm
Thank you Rob, I never knew that taper rollers were used on them. I read some(!) of the link and it said that they were changed for ball races after 1984, mine are definitely ball and it's a 1982 model. Perhaps the US models were different? :confused: As you say, there's an awful lot to read in the link, but no diagrams, do you happen to have a link to a relevant picture or diagram?
 
As far as I know the US wheels were identical to ours. Maybe they have been fitted instead of the tapers.

These are the pages from the G/s manual for shimming the wheels

The shim is referred to as a fitted ring and are sold here Motorworks shim page

frontwheeldata077.jpg


frontwheel076.jpg
 
used to quite enjoy shiming wheel bearings when I was working for the Police.

Just did it by feel though as I remember.

I think some of the Harleys had taper rollers as well.

You were allowed to have a certain amount of play for the mot.

I recall a big argument as to whether you should need to change the shims when replacing bearings as they should be accurate - its the hub thats not.

I always believe anythings possible :nenau
 
I recall a big argument as to whether you should need to change the shims when replacing bearings as they should be accurate - its the hub thats not.
That makes complete sense to me, surely the accuracy of bearings is far greater than our ability to measure them in a workshop environment?
 
Dunno about all this discussion of bearings, but Rob, this is making me miss my old RS! As Proff says - should never have sold it.
 
I'd forgotten all about this thread.

Managed a couple of hours out on the RS this afternoon. Still cosmetically challenged but runs a treat. The original tank has a small hole that appeared as soon as I put petrol in it. I'll get it settled in before looking at the paintwork.

RSShakedown.jpg
 
Off for an Expensive respray tomorrow. I decided I didn't like the Gold after all so I'm going for another scheme.

Reckon I'm going to sell the bike when it's done. Lovely machine but just not my thing. So if anybody wants a nice RS and has a Triumph twin of some sort for sale get in touch.
:beerjug:
 
Off for an Expensive respray tomorrow. I decided I didn't like the Gold after all so I'm going for another scheme.

Reckon I'm going to sell the bike when it's done. Lovely machine but just not my thing. So if anybody wants a nice RS and has a Triumph of some sort for sale get in touch.
:beerjug:

Give Bryn a shout, you never know :augie
 
Had a couple of photos sent though yesterday

Out with the old

b8548d48.jpg


and nearly in with the new

f248342a.jpg

:clap
 


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