What Did You Do To Your Bike Today?

A quick run in the morning to Lordco and I've got a new set of rubber valve stems. Insert the new valve stems and a quick check on the balance without the tire. Love the Marc Parnes balancer.



Then onto the No Mar for tire installation. Rear tires on the GS can be a bit of a pain with the thick rims. I had to enlist Kathi to hold a tire iron while I spun on the tire.



Back onto the balancer. It only required a couple of 7 gram weights to get it right.



Back on the bike and the rear is ready to go.



In the meantime I'd emailed Fortnine and already got a response with a return authorization on the valve stems. I'll send them back and order the right ones for the next tire change.

With the rear done it was time for the front tire.



Basically a repeat of the rear. Check balance with the new valve stem prior to installing the tire. Installing the front was a bit easier but I still had to enlist Kathi's help. I have a "Helping Hand" that I could normally use to hold the bead in place, but again it doesn't fit these rims. I'll have to find something that will work on these cross-spoke rims.



All back together and were good to go.

Well, a correct statement might be more in line with "What did you do to your bike over the winter?"  

As some of you may know I jumped down the Airhead rabbit hole and purchased a 1992 R100RT in July of 2020.

 

I immediately applied for my Collector plates and got them in September 2020.  I knew the bike had a couple of issues, particular with the handling (It could develop a very nasty head shake) and I had every intention of going through it that winter, but life got in the way.    It wasn't until October of 2021 that I finally started my project.  Since the motor ran strong, it shifted well and the drive train seemed tight, I planned to concentrate on the handling. As a result I stripped the whole front end off. 

 

The repair involved: new steering head bearings, new wheel bearings, new fork springs, rebuilding the forks, new brake lines, new tires, and a whole bunch of minor repairs to the fairing mounts.  

If you're interested in reading through the whole nitty-gritty of the repair, I kept a blog on my SmugMug page so I could keep track of what I've done.  You can access and read through it at this link.
waynecorley.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips...-BMW-R100RT-Refresh/

The bike is currently at the stage in this photo.  

 

I've had it out for a couple of test rides totaling around 150 km and the handling is so much better.  It rides like I hoped it would.  I still need to refit the fairing lowers and engine guards but I've decided that I need to do some carb work.  I've ordered a carb rebuild kit as well as new floats.  I plan to do a whole rebuild on the carbs.  Wish me luck as I haven't dealt with carbs for a long time.  

Nice work, Wayne, nice work.
Seems you guys know what to do during the long cold winters..... 
Pictures take me back on memory lane. About 35yrs ago i owned a R80RT, my pride and joy that days.
So, good luck with the new ride and i guess the GS is still standing in the garage, right?

Cheers
Mike

Hi Mike:

Yes the GS is still in the garage and in winter storage.  The plan is to insure and ride the GS while I get the carbs in order on the RT.  Then I plan to ride whichever takes my fancy on a given day.  

Cheers, Wayne

Over the last while I have had an annoying clunk on left turns with the Rig. I was determined to find and fix it this winter. I believe this may be it


I have had trouble with this mount before as it broke in the first year. More stress on it than you think

 

After much thinking and a few beers I had a plan
 

 

 

 

With the Mount fabrication complete I once again proved I am not a welder. HA!
 

Every thing assembled and it all fits. Now for Spring to really get here so I can see if that clunk is gone. Fingers Crossed