I get questions every now and then that are along the lines, “How did you get that so clean … looking like new …”. So I posted a page that I will keep updating as I go to collect information about how I repair, refinish and paint parts during this project. You can find it here:
Here are a couple before and after pictures from the work I’ve done so far.
BEFORE: Brembo Rear Brake Caliper
AFTER: Repainted & Rebuilt
BEFORE: Left Carburetor Top
BEFORE: Left Carburetor Choke Side
AFTER: Choke Side of Carburetor
AFTER: Top Side of Carburetor
BEFORE-Inner Timing Cover
BEFORE-Inner Timing Cover
Finished Inner Timing Cover
Front Engine Cover with Corrosion
Refinished Front Engine Cover
Rear Drive Was Painted Black
Rear Drive Was Painted Black
Refinished Rear Drive
Refinished Rear Drive
Amazing!, Nice job!
Congratulations
PD The cast cover and rear drive are painted or sandusted and polished?
Eduardo, I did not sand blast the rear drive as that would damage the gears. As noted, I only sand blasted the front cover.
Best.
Brook.
I accomplish results like that, it always will involve some carefully sourced chemicals and lots of elbow grease 😅
Russ,
Yes, “chemicals” help, such as micro-brew to sooth you after hours of elbow grease. 🙂
Best.
Brook.
Brook, Thank you for your very thorough and detailed coverage of how you have beautifully refinished your bike. It is a treasure chest of information, techniques, and product names that will be utilized by me and many other riders. Your documentation and pictorial coverage makes it easy to follow and apply to our own bikes. Thanks for devoting so much of your time to helping us keep our bikes looking and running well.
Ron,
You’re welcome. I do this because I have an “old man’s memory” — so I need to write everything down 🙂 — and because I want to help keep these marvelous machines on the road for many years to come. Dealerships are not working on these bikes, so it’s up to us to do the work. The missing ingredient is “How to …” which I have slowly accumulated from various helpful mechanics whose skills are much greater than mine, but who are not able to document all they know. I like to think I can help with the documentation to some degree.
Best.
Brook.
Hello From Italy! Your blog help a lot my dad to fix his BMW R100 RS ’81, thank you! I have one question: i know that in the final transmission he must put 350 ML of oil (SAE 90 GL-5) but in the swinging arm i read that he must put 100 ML of oil. Is it correct? And which oil he must use?
thank you very much for the answer.
Cristian
Hi Cristian,
Use the same gear lube you put in the transmission and rear drive, 80/90W GL-5, NOT GL-4. The early /5 with the short swing arm used 100 ml but all airhead swing arms starting with the long wheel base /5 in 1973 use 150 ml.
I hope that helps.
Best.
Brook.
PS: Please stay well. I understand Italy is having a very hard time with the coronavirus.