What would you check / alter / mod after an airhead purchase.

vanandy

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Ok, I should have asked this question before I parted with hard earned cash, but now I have it I'm wondering what essential mods / checks I should do. I'm talking general running mods as apposed to blinging it up mods.

Obviously do a bloody good service including replacement of all oils.
A good strip down clean.

Cheers

Andy
 
I assume you gave it a thorough going over before you bought it but, apart from all the things you check on any bike and a good road test, I would check that there is no clicking or roughness when you rotate the back wheel slowly by hand. Also that there are no signs of oil leaks around the base of the cylinders, that the bike starts easily and smoothly (on both cylinders) from stone cold and the charging light goes out completely with a few revs..
 
vanandy said:
??? :)

Its a R100GS 1989, 78000 miles, but I was thinking most models might have similar issues / mods to do, I'm sure this has been asked many times before, just don't seem to appear on my searches.
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It's an airhead therefore you will be pissing your yourself before too long
 
Andy ,

Ive read all your posts .
Congratulations , Youve choosen a Lovely Motorcycle , these are a Brilliant Machine ,in all their guises .
I wouldnt worry too Much about mods ,just yet , Familiarise yourself with it first .
In ordinary daily ,/ weekend operation you will come to have a handle on the issues that WILL affect you too.
If , by chance you think your in for cheap motorcycling , an Airhead is not going to be any cheaper than any other .
Relax , take a step back , and most importantly Enjoy your "Ownership Experience" .

You should find the Airhead section very helpfull , this section is unique , we even have our very own valuations officer ,
he is amazing he ""KNOWS "" and that should be enough for you , even if you want to spend £50K ,,
Now God only knows , how " The beardy One"" Knows , Cos he doesnt even own a Bike .
We have our resident , Hairdresser , He will only Address ""Airheads "" he prefers Russians too boot !.....
And the resident Stirrer , well he frequents here as well , but only on a "Stirring " mission !......
There has ,,,, in the past been "Whispers" of Deviant Sexual Activity , but i cant comment ....
Ohh , and finally ,,,,, There is a "" Clique "" thing Goin Awnnn ,, mostly in a Container in S.Landawn !!!....

Welcome , Kick back , Pull up and Chair , Roll another one,, and Enjoy !.....

I am Awaiting Authentication on this PD lookalike , from the ""Guru"" i was offered this .
 

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Don't panic about the circlip mod you'll hear mention of. The yanks are obsessed by the mod but the rest of the world manages perfectly well without it.
 
ChasF said:
I assume you gave it a thorough going over before you bought it QUOTE]

Eh, no, the guy was pretty honest looking / sounding, I know jack about the bike and with old bikes something will need putting right.

I didn't pay a great deal and visualising a rebuild at worst case scenario I'm happy.

I did ride it round the block, quiet as a mouse and feels like fun. only issue was a feeling that the front wheel wasn't attached to the bike??? like low pressure / bearings / steering / back wheel, something loose, will check before I get out.
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vanandy said:
ChasF said:
I assume you gave it a thorough going over before you bought it QUOTE]

Eh, no, the guy was pretty honest looking / sounding, I know jack about the bike and with old bikes something will need putting right.

I didn't pay a great deal and visualising a rebuild at worst case scenario I'm happy.

I did ride it round the block, quiet as a mouse and feels like fun. only issue was a feeling that the front wheel wasn't attached to the bike??? like low pressure / bearings / steering / back wheel, something loose, will check before I get out.
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hi Andy I'm a bit upset i only came across as pretty honest looking/sounding :P i always do my best to be VERY ! oh well must try harder.:D

theres nothing wrong mechanically with the bike , the only thing i didnt like that much was the front end. i think if you put the original forks back in with some progressive springs and the fork brace and I'm sure it will feel much better.

you really need to ride an airhead for a while before you get them , but once you do its a bike you will always have. :thumb

go and do a few laps of the island :aidan
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peepingtom said:
vanandy said:
theres nothing wrong mechanically with the bike , the only thing i didnt like that much was the front end. i think if you put the original forks back in with some progressive springs and the fork brace and I'm sure it will feel much better.
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Hi Andy,

Sounds like you've purchased your bike from one of our own on this section :thumb2 a sensible choice. Peepingtom is a sound lad and i'm positive when you make a few changes the bike will feel great!

A quick one for you, that i have done on all my Airheads - is bar risers and lowered foot-pegs. If you look on the last couple of pages of the Paralever register you'll see a close up of the fastaways + lowering kit on my 100GS.

Anyhow, welcome to the section and enjoy your bike whatever you do with it. Some real good eggs on here with great and useful knowledge.
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I had a feeling the previous owner would make an appearance at some point :D I'm really happy to own, Thanks Ian. :beerjug:

handling, I was thinking of fitting the original front end but just the front wheel weighs a ton and then I'll have to fath about with brakes, I think I'll leave as is, maybe try some progressive XR650 springs, ride, look for an enduro light unit (UFO, Polisport), custom some warning lights, job done up top, then paint, single subframe, etc.

I think I'll try to update on the move rather than a 6 / 8 week project, I THINK. Then again me heads spinning from options and me spanners keep shouting at me to make a mess.
 
Belper phil; said:
A quick one for you, that i have done on all my Airheads - is bar risers and lowered foot-pegs. If you look on the last couple of pages of the Paralever register you'll see a close up of the fastaways + lowering kit on my 100GS.
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Riding position is quite nice at 5' 10", has small rise in handle bars. thanks anyway, nice to know it is adaptable.
 
peepingtom said:
hi Andy I'm a bit upset i only came across as pretty honest looking/sounding :P i always do my best to be VERY ! oh well must try harder.:D

theres nothing wrong mechanically with the bike , the only thing i didnt like that much was the front end. i think if you put the original forks back in with some progressive springs and the fork brace and I'm sure it will feel much better.

you really need to ride an airhead for a while before you get them , but once you do its a bike you will always have. :thumb

go and do a few laps of the island :aidan
Click to expand...

Whatcha gettin now mister? :bounce1
 
God knows I'm on a bike amnesty at the minute .no bikes till I've lost a stone ! Who knows it could even be your phone :-)

Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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