Topic: Looking at buying a BMW air head, need some advice

[TomsK8resto]

For whatever reason, I have an urge to add to my stable of bikes.  Currently have my '78 CB750K bike in progress and my HD roadbike.

I'm talking to a guy  with a '95 R100RT that is need of some love, although it runs "fine".  I'm gonna go check it out tomorrow.  Things I know at this point, it has 55K miles on it, needs the seat covered or replaced, the brake switch for the rear brake is inop, the plastic over the gauges is sun damaged and has an oil leak from somewhere near the pan.  It has 3 hard bags, all keyed alike with one needing a repair somewhere.

I've ridden one BMW in my life many moons ago.  I really don't know squat about them, just want one.  Is this bike a problem or a prospective road bike.  Asking price is $1500 and he is open to offers.  Clean title from what I've been told.  What say you?

[Scott S]

 I'd say that's a pretty good price. BMW is a bit like Honda in that many, many NOS or original parts are still available. A little more expensive than Honda stuff, but not horrible.

 The maintenance intervals are longer than a Honda, but when maintenance is due it can get extensive and a little pricey. But then you're good again for 10, 15 or 20K miles.
 And forget whatever you know about working on Japanese bikes. Everything is just different enough to make it all...wierd.
 I have an '84 R100 and I like it. It won't blow you away at anything, but it does everything pretty well. I certainly get the mystique behind them; why people like or love them.

 Ask if the spline lube was done and when. That's a big job that can run $1,000+ if you pay a shop and failures are bad when they happen. Valve adjustments are stupid easy. Carb adjustments are easy to get to but I find the sync process WAY more fiddly than a four cylinder Honda, believe it or not.
 Change all the fluids....and there's a lot of them.

[TomsK8resto]

I'd say that's a pretty good price. BMW is a bit like Honda in that many, many NOS or original parts are still available. A little more expensive than Honda stuff, but not horrible.

 The maintenance intervals are longer than a Honda, but when maintenance is due it can get extensive and a little pricey. But then you're good again for 10, 15 or 20K miles.
 And forget whatever you know about working on Japanese bikes. Everything is just different enough to make it all...wierd.
 I have an '84 R100 and I like it. It won't blow you away at anything, but it does everything pretty well. I certainly get the mystique behind them; why people like or love them.

 Ask if the spline lube was done and when. That's a big job that can run $1,000+ if you pay a shop and failures are bad when they happen. Valve adjustments are stupid easy. Carb adjustments are easy to get to but I find the sync process WAY more fiddly than a four cylinder Honda, believe it or not.
 Change all the fluids....and there's a lot of them.

Scott,

Thanks for taking the time to respond.  I've read your exploits with your BMW a couple of times hoping to  pick up any tips I could use to help me find a decent BMW.  How often does a "spine" need lubed?  I've heard of this before, but don't know when is the time to do it and when is it pass due.  Thanks again.

Tom

[simon#42]

which splines are you talking about scott?

[calj737]

which splines are you talking about scott?

The input splines on the shaft drive.

[Scott S]

 Spline lubes are done every ~40-50K miles. It's a big, all day (at least) job for the DIY'er. And it's one of those things that's "well, while I'm in here.... might as well replace some seals, service the clutch, etc., etc.".

[simon#42]

the input splines on the bevel box [ i assume you are talking about as they are the only splines on the shaft ] run in oil so there is no need to lube them . the other end of the shaft has a four bolt fixing which also runs in oil .
the only other splines i can think of are the gearbox input splines , i would only lubricate these when i was changing the clutch , if the clutch is ok dont worry about them .