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My 78 Euro R100s has 38mm headers. One friend's '77 R100s (converted to an RS) has 38mm headers which is how we suspected it wasn't a REAL RS (checked the serial numbers then, to be sure!) REAL RS's from those years, in the US at least, most likely have 40mm. Another '77RS (a real one!) I know has 40mm headers. Most of the trustworthy literature I have read says the 40mm headers didn't last very long in production.
38mm stuff is so much easier to find.

You can still get OEM chromed steel 40mm headers, almost all the stainless steel 40mm headers are not really 40mm, just 38mm swaged out at the ends. I fitted 40 chrome headers to my 1070 bike, got the heads bored to take the larger pipes, to protect the chrome I found that lining the brand new pipes with BBQ paint really reduced the blueing.

Chas, how you manage to fit that swag through the engine?

That would have been "swagged."

Can you tell by the Vin No. 6082964 if it's an EARLY '77 RS or a late one?

1977 RS numbers ran 6080001 - 6082000 and the build month/year for these nrs are 09/76 - 08/77.
Other numbers are 6082501 - 6086000 from 09/76 - 08/77.
in 09/77 the nrs started at 6086001 and ran thru 6095000 in 08/78.

The build-month should be stamped on the plate or the steering-stem (bearing holder) tube. At least I can tell you for sure your serial number is a REAL RS. Since your number is "low" compared to the range of numbers, I'd guess it would be considered "early",
OR........
The first batch had some different fittments from the other batch since the build month/year are the same. BTW, these are NOT US delivery numbers, which are quite different.
OR........
They signify a different assembly location.

I have been eternally thankful I bought this book although at the time (30 years ago), I thought it was very extravagant$$!

Thanks for the info Jean, yes, its looking like it may be an early '77, will ask owner again for the Build date.

boxertwinjeff wrote:Can you tell by the Vin No. 6082964 if it's an EARLY '77 RS or a late one?

03/1977

http://www.bmw-z1.com/VIN/VINdecode-e.cgi

Thanks Steve, so it is an early first series. Tell me, if I was to grab it & refit the Original full fairing etc. after a respray in the correct Silver factory colour, (the bike seems pretty overall) done 110,000kms
In your opinion Steve, what's the most it could fetch in OZ?

boxertwinjeff wrote:Thanks Steve, so it is an early first series. Tell me, if I was to grab it & refit the Original full fairing etc. after a respray in the correct Silver factory colour, (the bike seems pretty overall) done 110,000kms
In your opinion Steve, what's the most it could fetch in OZ?

Damn good question.
Grant sold his 1981 RS for somewhere around $7K 2 years back.
They seem to sit on online bike sales sites for a while, asking around $6-8K. They sell quick for more than $4-5K at other auctions...maybe a tad more.
Then again, it's the first year...
Is the original fairing in ok nick paint wise? It's only original once and never again once repainted, so it's value becomes difficult to know because the importance of those things are only known to the buyer.
Because it's a 3/77 it'd be of more value than most. Of course, @ 110K kms, a service history and a documented trans rebuild would give a buyer confidence.
Didn't really answer the question did I! I do think the prices are climbing though.