1981 R100RS

[DucatiPete]

Good score, Kutter!
I picked up a 'fixer' RS from Tas in May this year and have been fiddling/fettling since - ie today i fitted a new throttle cam and top (required with new cams won't work with the old one), throttle stop screw, adjustable gear linkage (heaps better than the POC piece of wire BMW original), and voltage regulator (a Bosch RE57, which to my astonishment was MADE IN AUSTRALIA - must be pretty old! ). Now time for a ride in prep for the RS 30th birthday bash this w/end at Tintaldra) - gotta take it to a hot wash to get the bugs off).
When I needed keys for my old Krausers (for my 750/5) I got them from http://www.motorcyclekeys.com/blanks5.html (Sudhaus). IIRC the key/lock numbers are on the locks somewheres...
Good luck w the RS renno - some claim them to be "the best motorcycle ever made", well I don't know about that, but all things considered they've gotta be up there!
And please keep posting your pics - always good to watch a reinvigorated beast returning to the fold.
pete

[SteveD]

Have a look here to id your Krauser verses BMW Classic panniers.

http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/bags/BMW/index.htm

[hal]

Now that was a great idea! thx!

[Rob Frankham]

Have a look here to id your Krauser verses BMW Classic panniers.

http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/bags/BMW/index.htm

Perhaps I can be of assistance here...

The first 'Hard Bags' sold by BMW were made by Krauser. They were the slightly sreamlined type with a round BMW logo on the lid. I believe these first came in foir the /6 series but they could be fitted to earlier bikes. The main disadvantage of these is that they will not take a full face helmet.

The next type were the squarer touring cases. These were noit, I believe, made by Krauers. They have no round LOGO but a rectangular badge with the letters BMW and another with the word 'touring' inset into the lid. I don't know when these came in but they were definitely available by 1981 because they are listed in my 04/81 parts manual. These will take a full face helmet.

There were other designs later in the range but these are the commonest on our airheads.

But...

Krauser continued to produce panniers very like the original design, even after the split with BMW. They are. IMHO somewhat flimsier than the BMW original but are similar in shape and have similar locks (although the keying system is different). Although it's not obvious, they are a little larger than the BMW type and will take a full face helmet. They also don't have the round logo or a recess for it.

I have photosd of the three types but they are too big to upload. If you're interested, I'll put them on the web and link.

Rob

[hzbloke]

I went down a different path to secure my panniers after losing one:



The elastic strap cost about $2 and is used for holding down tonneaus on utes. The button it hooks over is attached to an existing hole in the rear grab rail. Not only did I actually lose a pannier (took my helmet out of it, rode 40km: gone. Rode back 40km looking for it and then back again: still gone) but I had had some problems with the mounting frame cracking (which seems common). The elastic takes some of the weight off the frame and reduces vibration.

A year later and still no problems.

[Mal S7]

Hello All,
Yes I am also open to suggestions re the removal of the white corrosion.

Disassembly and grit blasting works. I don't think I'd ever do that with the cases though as I wouldn't be able to sleep for worrying about a teeny bit of grit being left behind somewhere ....

Soda blasting should work and should be fairly safe to do on an assembled motor (plug the inlet and exhaust openings with "pool noodle" plastic) as the blast material is water soluble. I'm thinking of giving that a go on a spare motor I have, and then stripping it down to look and see if any traces make it in.

Aside from that .... a lot of time and elbow grease, use scotch-brite with an aluminium polish/oil-based cutting compound, like "Alu-shine" by Chemtech, when you use soft wire brushes also use an oil-based polish, and rinse off with that cheap spray-can degreaser. Nothing works like blasting though. And nice find btw

cheers
Mal

[kutter]

Hi,
Came across an Aluminium cleaner called "Blitz"
also by Chemtech.
A Phosphoric acid base.
Thought it might be a bit too savage.

[SteveD]

Hey Kutter, have a read here on how to do a quick partial resto on an RS....

http://www.rapiddog.net/RSBUILD/BUILD.htm

[Mal S7]

Hey Kutter, have a read here on how to do a quick partial resto on an RS....

http://www.rapiddog.net/RSBUILD/BUILD.htm

HA! Very interesting and funny resto story Steve. Thanks for sharing it.
cheers
Mal

[George Ryals]

I have read that Eagle 1 cast mag wheel cleaner is the thing to use on aluminum cases. Just don't leave it on too long, it will turn aluminum black if left to soak. Also contains phosphoric (sp?) acid.