I restarted the project on March 1, 2019 after acquiring this bike in January 2015. My 1977 R100RS rebuild project halted work on this bike as I wanted to complete the 1977 RS in time to attend the 40th anniversary rally hosted by Todd Trumbore. I finished assembling this bike on September 30, 2020, so the build took about 18 months to complete.
I did a 10 mile ride as part of the first engine start before completing the project. It’s now early October and I’ve ridden the bike 200 miles as I break it in. One of the first trips was to get coffee with some “scooter scum” friends of mine. It’s a public unveiling, if you will.
1983 R100RS Public Unveiling At Our First Coffee Shop Ride
I like to name the bikes after Muppet characters based on the bike color. I mount a Muppet figure on the bike so there is someone to talk to on long trips. And, if they talk back, it’s time to stop for the day and take a rest. π
A little over a year ago, I sold my R1150RS that I put 110,000 miles on. It was named Cookie Monster. So I’m naming this bike Cookie Monster Too, and transferred the figure to the top of the master cylinder.
Cookie Monster Too: 1983 R100RS/RT
Cookie Monster: 1983 R100RS
This document shows a number of before and after pictures of the bike and includes a list of those people and companies who helped provide advice, services and parts without which I could not have completed the project.
I shot a walk-around video of the finished project and review some of the highlights of the build.
VIDEO: 1983 BMW R100RS Project Complete Walk-Around
Now, it’s time to put lots of miles on Cookie Monster. π
Congratulation! Very good job!
Lupo
Thank you Lupo.
Congratulations on completing your mint R100RS. I am sure you are looking at many miles of happy motoring with confidence that nothing in the bike lies outside of your expertise.
Just have fun, smiles are more important than miles!
Thanks Kit. I’m looking forward to completing the break-in. And then there are the tweaks that naturally need to be done and the farkles.
Stay well my friend.
Best.
Brook.
Very cool – itβs been a great story so far Brook!
Thank you Peter. Now what am I going to work on? π
Great restoration work,thank you for sharing that
You’re welcome Peter.
Brook, keep in touch regarding the tweaks, “farkles” and many many safe miles keeping the rubbery side down at all times. I would miss your periodic updates that serve as subsequent reminders to show my R90 some attention… After 46 years and at least two owners she still hums right along.
Danny O’
Hi Danny,
Indeed, I plan to start doing the “farklization” work and I’ll document how that goes. And, keep the R90 on the road for many more miles and smiles. π
Best.
Brook.
Hi Brook
Thanks for your amazing work and for sharing it with us. You’re a true inspiration. I’m looking for some help please. I have an ’81 R100 RS that is my daily runner – particularly now as it’s winter in South Africa and the rainy season. It appears I have cam follower that’s getting quite noisy. Is it possible to replace these without removing the engine and do you think it would be prudent for me to replace the cam? Is there a chance the cam could be undamaged? I don’t want to take it off the road to check if I can avoid it as it’s my current transport. Ordering spares takes a bit of planning from here so I often end up with a few extra bits of stuff that I’ve ordered ‘just in case’. A cam is not really something I’d consider to be in that category.
Thanks in advance for any help or advice you may have.
Karl
PS: I read your blog post about your Kawasaki 350 triple so I’m sure you understand my predicament with having to work on your active transport.
Karl,
You can remove the cam followers without removing the engine from the frame. But you will need to remove the top end (heads, cylinders). If the cam follower has corrosion, pits or cracks, it needs to be replaced. In addition, if there is a lot of pitting and a very rough surface on the face of the cam follower, over a short time, that can score the cam lobe deep enough to get past the very thin hardened surface of the cam. If that happens, the cam will fail eventually. So, pull the top end and start investigating what’s going on sooner rather than later.
BTW, I’ve toured in South Africa along the Garden Route and through the Karoo. I have good friends in Cape Town area. Your country is beautiful. π
I hope this helps.
Best.
Brook.
Hi Brook
Thanks a million, it most certainly does help. Feel free to contact me if you’re ever in this neck of the woods again. I’ve travelled my country extensively and I’m sure I could point you to a few hidden gems.
Regafds
Karl