A guy walked into a bar...

[deersemaj]

Welcome aboard! Considering what you paid, you've got a pretty sizable repair budget to use up before investing what that bike is worth. Great find! Excited to see what you do with it!

Thanks, I'll keep you all upated. Cosmetically, it needs a new seat, or at least to be recovered. A guy I work with does uphosltery on the side, so I may get him to do it for me. I'm thinking solid black instead of the tan/black combo it has now, and maybe with white stitching or piping to match up with the pinstripes on the tank. I'm also not happy about the plastic instrument panel and covers for the headlight bracket/front turn signal mounts, and I think I wouldn't mind a lower bar, maybe even flat. If anyone has any suggestions or recommendations, I would be happy to hear them...

[nmalozzi]

I'm in the market for new bars too. All the reading I've done tells me you should be after 22mm bars not 7/8ths bars. You can run the 7/8ths but you may need to do a lil modification to the controls to get them on the slightly larger 7/8ths bars.

[Crunch]

Consider replacing your brake lines if you have not already done so. They do get mushy and the braided steel lines will make a big difference.

[deersemaj]

Consider replacing your brake lines if you have not already done so. They do get mushy and the braided steel lines will make a big difference.

Thanks, that's probably a good idea. They don't quite feel spongy when braking hard, but I feel like there's a little "give" to them, if that makes sense.

[Major Softie]

Consider replacing your brake lines if you have not already done so. They do get mushy and the braided steel lines will make a big difference.

Thanks, that's probably a good idea. They don't quite feel spongy when braking hard, but I feel like there's a little "give" to them, if that makes sense.

Yeah, that "give" comes from many things: soft lines, a bit of air left in the line, caliper flex. Obviously, the last of those you just kind of have to live with, but you can reduce it by addressing the others.

[Dave Backmarker]

I agree with Major Softie (of course). Another cause of brake goo is using the incorrect DOT rating. DOT 4, right?

And, yet another brake goo challenge comes from the fluid not being refreshed every year.

DaveM
1975 R90S
2000 R1100RT

[deersemaj]

And, yet another brake goo challenge comes from the fluid not being refreshed every year.

I believe that, now. Like I said, the PO hadn't done much with it in several years. I must say, I was a little surprised by how gummed up it was. I don't think there was any "fluid" left.

Funny, I just seconded your "valve adjustment while cold" comment on the ignition issue thread.

Thanks for your input.

[Primate]

Deersmaj, welcome. Great find--you're giving another airhead a second life. May you and your progeny live long and well. What BMW color is it, black or unblack? Can't tell from the pic. Lastly, hit up the local airheads for more help. They've been great to me: http://www.airheads.org/

Again, welcome and safe riding.

[deersemaj]

What BMW color is it, black or unblack?

Black, I think... How can I know for sure?

[Major Softie]

What BMW color is it, black or unblack?

Black, I think... How can I know for sure?

Unblack is not black. The other is.