Boxerworks.com

Great, and very helpful, discussion gentlemen. Thank you.

What I’m looking for is a bike that is usable And enjoyable for running around town and shorter excursions. I don’t expect to be using this for any long-distance or a long haul touring. I like the design and aesthetic of the early bikes but I know the waiter ones are easier to deal with, I have a couple vintage cars already so I’m not scared of wrenching but it would be nice to have something I can just throw a leg over and know it’s going to start with a minimum of fuss.

I would expect-and please check me on this-that one of these from the 70s if it’s been maintained it and then I use it on a regular basis should be reliable but I know that a later model like a 90’s a R850r would probably be even easier to work with.

I don't think that the year makes that big of a difference in terms of "easier to work with"...or easier to work on. From my limited experience, I don't see much of a difference between a '71 or a '94 Airhead. Sure there are physical differences, but easier to work on doesn't come to mind. OK, the '94 has an electronic ignition while the '71 is points/condenser. I tend to think that generally the electronic ignition is trouble free, but when it's not, you're in a world of hurt and all you can do is just buy parts. Points/condenser as "dirt simple" can be fixable on the side of the road...within reason. Advance in technology also requires advance in skills and/or parts costs.

Kurt in S.A.

Good morning Kurt. Same trade-off with the vintage cars on electronic ignition, on the cars I carry a spare distributor and tools since having a proper trunk makes it easy to do so.

Given that I don't think I will be too far from home an electronic ignition and FI are certainly a plus since even if they go wrong I'm not going to be too far from home.

Thanks for the heads-up that the overall complexity isn't really that different across the time span.

Airheads never really had " Electronic " ignition.
They retained the mechanical advance unit below a hall sensor trigger, and the black box was the same one used on some locally built six cylinder family saloon, so little more than a amplifier for the signal from the hall effect sensor.
That list seemed to miss Siebenrock, who have sourced good quality NLA parts like seats, exhausts , electrical, etc, Moteren Israel who do upgraded engine parts, and Mike Fishwicks CV carb article, which is unique in that he actually knows something about CV carbs.

Who is Mike Fishwicks? Someone Downunder? Is his article online somewhere?

Kurt in S.A.

Mike Fishwick is a Brit who actually lives in France. He is a regular contributor to the BMW owners club (UK) and is the 'technical officer' for their Vintage and Classic register. He runs what appears to be a post '80 twinshock 'RS. Over the years he has produced a number of 'technical articles' about airheads. Sadly, the only place I can find them online is the Vintage and Classic register library which is member access only (I'm not a member...) and I can't find a link at present. If you ask on the UK based forums, I'm sure someone will come up with a copy or a direct link.

I do have pdf copies of the Bing technical info on both type 64 and type 94 carbs. If you want to PM me an email address, I'd be happy to send a copy.

Rob

Rob -

Thanks...I was wondering if there was another reference out there whenever someone had carb questions. I've been trying to maintain links to online resources. I have the Bing manual if that's what you're referring to. But I will PM you my email address so I can have a look.

Kurt in S.A.

Fishwick Bing pdf. http://www.vintage-register.co.uk/libra ... 0Carbs.pdf

Thanks!

Kurt in S.A.

This List hasn't aged well, it would seem. Or, at the very least, several of the "shop/parts" locations either no longer deal in parts or they just straight don't exist anymore.