The engine came with the stock 8.2:1 compression pistons. But the early RS motors came with high compression 9.5:1 pistons. The bike has 83,000+ miles on it. So I decided to install new high compression pistons. Tom Cutter at Rubber Chicken Racing Garage, told me due to the very tight piston clearances in the Nikasil cylinders and the amount of variation in piston diameter with the new pistons, the best way to proceed is to replate the cylinders with Nikasil and hone them to match the pistons to ensure proper clearance. So, I send him the new pistons, rings, wrist pins and old cylinders for this work to be done. I also had him vapor hone the cylinders to refinish them to the factory patina.
Refinished Cylinders with New Push Rod Tubes
The other work needed was to the heads. When I tested them, the valves were leaking. So I sent the heads to Randy Long, at Long’s Mechanical Services, who is a well respected head rebuilder, for his opinion. We decided to replace the exhaust valves, all the exhaust guides, springs and keepers. I had him machine the heads for dual plugs. I have dual plug heads on two airhead bikes and I like the improved gas mileage. Randy milled the valve cover mating surfaces so they are flat and bead blasted the heads so they look brand new.
Randy Long’s Rebuilt Heads
Rebuilt Head with New Exhaust Valve and Dual Plug Conversion (Note Two Spark Plug Holes
Here is what I ended up with. The red tape indicates things I need to do before first engine start: install new spark plugs and put oil in the engine. The rags protect the heads from getting anything inside from the intake and exhaust ports.
Red Tape Means Not Ready Yet
All Done
Here is written documentation of the procedure:
And here is a video of the procedure.
VIDEO: 1983 BMW R100RS Install Engine Top End
Brook,
Your timing is perfect. I am just about to start the same operation as soon as some parts arrive, so thank you for your tutorial. Also, I like your “red tape” approach alerting one to critical items that need completing. Brillant!
Best regards,
Saunders, It’s good when a plan comes together 🙂 Best of success on your project.
Brook.
Very informative and professionally shown. Thank you
Randy
You’re welcome Randy.
Very detailed and informative video. I always learn some thing when I watch other people assemble anything on YouTube. I have one comment though. I have been instructed to beware of the lateral play of the rocker arms between the two sliding blocks on either side of the arms. This can cause some valve train noise if excessive. The blocks should be fairly tight against the rocker arms before tightening the head nuts on top of them. Thank you so much for all of your efforts.
Kit, you are correct about that. I find if I pinch them tightly between my fingers when I tighten the rocker nuts, the rockers don’t bounce up and down between the pillow blocks. Thanks for calling that out.
Great video,bookmarked and saved for later. Wish I’d seen earlier. Recently got my 81 R65 project bike running again after rebuilding carbs, refurb’ed left cylinder head and new valves, new gaskets etc. among other projects on the bike. Bike is running good after a long 10+ year nap. Someday I will need to remove the cylinders and do the full Monte but will enjoy it running for a while and work on getting it titled (purchased without) for now, Thanks
Hi Axl,
Cool beans. I agree with doing some work so you can ride as a reward for your efforts and then going back to finish up. I’m glad to hear you are keeping an R65 on the road. Here is a link to my ride out to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the R65 where I met Hans Muth, the designer, on my restored 1977 R100RS.
–> 2019 R80G/S & R65LS 40th Anniversary Rally Ride
Two years earlier, I rode the same RS to the 40th RS rally where I got Han’s autograph on the factory inspection sticker on that bike.
–> Ride to 40th RS Anniversary Rally-Mark Twain, The Airhead Pony Express and Hans Muth
Great video and posting Brook! I plan to use it for my R80’s replacement of gaskets/o-rings and primarily the pushrod tube seals! Thank you very much!
Dom,
You’re welcome my friend. I’ve enjoyed your blogging on your wanderings around the back roads.
Best.
Brook.
Hi Brook,
I was wondering if you have any experience media blasting (bead or soda ?) any of the other engine parts? I’m considering blasting my air cleaner/starter covers, as I haven’t been able to get them clean enough with degreasers. I guess I’m trying to find the right media, and decide whether it’s something I should do myself? Any thoughts would be a big help! Dustin
Hi Dustin,
The one thing you must do with glass beads is scrub the parts with hot soapy water three times. Then once more. The fine glass powder has to be removed completely and it can have the consistency of talc powder.
I NEVER bead blast the engine block because you have to clean out every oil galley and passage with a stiff tube brush and it takes forever to ensure all the nooks, crannies and crevices inside the block are absolutely free of any glass bits.
Since the glass dust gets everywhere, I NEVER blast inside my shop. I do it on the concrete apron outside the shop. I wear an N95 respirator mask and googles to keep from breathing the glass dust and getting any in my eyes.
On aluminum, I hold the pressure down to about 40 PSI which is easy for me as I have a compressor with only a 10 gallon tank so it won’t maintain much more pressure when the blaster is running. I am using a Harbor Freight “bench top” blaster that was mounted on wheels by the previous owner.
Soda is “use once” and is not recycled. I’ve been told it works well with pot metal parts such as carburetor bodies, but it can be hard to clean up after particularly in the small passages in carburetor bodies, so I don’t use it for cleaning them.
I hope that helps.
Best.
Brook.