Angry Olaf's Rebuild Thread... The Money Pit

[KenHawk]

Well...

You're obviously going your own way on this project but unless theres something specific that you don't like about those stock forks, I'd suggest giving them a try. I gave mine a complete refurbishment and I'm amazed at how plush and well controlled they are. Those early forks are OK in my book!

I also now that you PC'd the frame already! Too bad... I would have liked to make some suggestions concerning stiffening your frame but thats something of a dead issue but OTOH, if you haven't bought that braced swing arm yet, find a used Big Tube swing arm and use that. You'll save some weight, some $$$ and the post 83 swing arms work really well.

Did you get as Toaster Tan top clamp? Those are the bees knees! The San Jose? Not so much but they'll do.

Good luck!

KenHawk

[chasbmw]

George,

Thanks for sending me the review of the Ricor valves. I took a second look on the website and don't see anything small enough to fit into the 36 mm stanchions of airheads up to 85.

if Ricor do make a valve small enough then these are my further comments:

I would strongly reccomend that fork springs or spacers will have to be shortened by the length of the valves, otherwise forks will be dangerously stiff.
The Ate forks have internal damper nozzles, the question is whether or not you remove them.
Ricor claim that because they use 5W oil, then the oil is so light that the existing holes in the damping rods don't need opening up. This might be correct for some other bikes, but for airheads the specified BMW aereoshock oil was 4w.

In general having gone down the Racetech route, my advice would be to use the existing ATE forks, with BMW stiffer springs and the later internal damper nozzle. (still available off the shelf from my local BMW dealer) with good quality fork oil 7.5W suits my weight and riding style. Certainly if I was doing a full rebuild of an unfamiliar bike I would not fit any aftermarket parts that have not been fully evaluated on the road and with a proven set up.

Charles

[Chuey]

Angry Olaf, those shocks look better than any others I've seen. I thought they only made them with black and blue springs.

Chuey

[AngryOlaf]

Angry Olaf, those shocks look better than any others I've seen. I thought they only made them with black and blue springs.

Chuey

I think Works can do them with whatever colors you request... Though it may take more time. When I was there they showed me a set with the red/black combo and I really liked the look.

[jagarra]

KenHawk,

You mentioned some mods to stiffen the frame and an alternate swing arm. Is there an article or thread discussing these modifications?

thanks,

gg

[Major Softie]

Angry Olaf, those shocks look better than any others I've seen. I thought they only made them with black and blue springs.

Chuey

Chuey LIKE red details.

[vanzen]

Chuey LIKE red details.

Ducati envy ?

[AngryOlaf]

Chuey LIKE red details.

Ducati envy ?

Well that's definitely why I'm adding small red springs to my Airhead! I also plan to bolt a tambourine to the right valve cover and do a lot of extra maintenance.

[Airbear]

Chuey LIKE red details.

Ducati envy ?

Well that's definitely why I'm adding small red springs to my Airhead! I also plan to bolt a tambourine to the right valve cover and do a lot of extra maintenance.

Thanks Angry - that cheered me up considerably.

[Major Softie]

Well that's definitely why I'm adding small red springs to my Airhead! I also plan to bolt a tambourine to the right valve cover and do a lot of extra maintenance.

Termis are loud enough to cover the jangle at everything above idle. Just the tamborine will not give you an authentic experience. You definitely will need the exhaust as well.