Contents
I started this restoration in December 2021 and completed it in early July 2023. There were some periods when I was otherwise occupied and wasn’t able to work on this project. I estimate it took about 16-18 months of work to complete this restoration.
My goal is to auction the bike and donate all the proceeds to the Motorcycle Relief Project.
Project Documentation
This document shows all the work done for the rebuild organized by the part sub-category the work is associated with.
This shows the way order in which I disassembled and reassembled the R80ST down to the frame.
Here are links to all the pictures I took and the YouTube videos I made.
FLICKR: 1983 BMW R80ST Charity Rebuild Project
YOUTUBE: 1983 BMW R80ST Charity Rebuild Project
Those Who Financially Donated To The Project
The following provided parts and/or services at a discount, or no cost, in support of my goal. Euro MotoElectrics donated almost all parts I needed at not cost, which was very generous of them.
| Person | Company | Supplied | Contact |
| Norman Schwab | Euro MotoElectrics | Numerous Parts | www.euromotoelectrics.com |
| Eron Turnipseed | Individual | Front Fender & Fork Brace | Private Individual |
| Stephan Gaulin | Toaster Tan | Top Brace & Steering Stem Nut | [email protected] |
| Bud Provin, Jr | The Nickwackett Garage | New Right Side Battery Cover | The Nickwackett Garage |
| Bryan Flanagan | Colorado Vapor Blasting | Discount On Vapor Blasting | Colorado Vapor Blasting |
| David Phillips | Individual | Donated Right Side Pannier | Private Individual |
| Matt Iles | Iles Motorsports | Donated labor to rebuild rear drive | https://ilesmotorsports.com/ |
| Howard Etkind & Jill McCarley | Shinysideup Motorcycle Rescue Ranch | Donated rear luggage rack | Private Individuals |
| Joe Broxterman | Speedway Graphics | Donated Pinstriping | https://www.facebook.com/p/Speedway-Graphics-100063587320222/ |
What I Started With
These are some pictures of the “project bike” when I acquired it from the estate of Clem Cykowski, the original owner of the BMW of Denver motorcycle dealership where I bought my first BMW motorcycle, an R75/6, in 1975.
Delivered To Brook’s Airhead Garage
Delivered To Brook’s Airhead Garage
Left Side
As Found: Missing Carburetors
As Found: Missing Exhaust Collector Box
As Found: Missing Right Side Exhaust Header & Crash Bar
As Found: Missing Front Disk Brake Rotor
As Found: Electrical Relays & Missing Gas Tank
As Found: Missing Air Box Cover & Seat
As Found: Engine Emblem Paint Gone
As Found: R80 GS Frame With Monoshock Intact
Rear Fender With Paint Code 545-Metallic Silver
I found the missing gas tank and left side cover along with a number of other parts in Clem’s storeroom.
One of Clem’s Store Rooms Full Of Surprises And Goodies
Pre-Build Video
This is a walk-around I made prior to starting the rebuild,
VIDEO: 1983 BMW R80ST Pre-Build Inspection
What The Restored Bike Looks Like
Here are some pictures of the rebuilt 1983 R80ST.
Walk-Around Views
All Done
All Done
All Done
All Done
All Done
All Done
All Done
Close-up Details
New Stainless Steel Spokes & Vapor Blasted Fork Sliders
Rebuilt Caliper
New Decal
View From The Seat
Rebuilt Speedometer
New Handlebar Controls
New Master Cylinder & Handlebar Controls
Toaster Tan Top Brace
Headlight
Painted Front Fender
Painted Front Fender
Vapor Blasted Front Engine Cover
Original R80ST Crash Bars
Rebuilt Heads & Painted Valve Covers
Refinished Engine Block Matches Other Vapor Blasted Components
Rebuilt & Refinished Carburetors
Rebuilt & Refinished Carburetors
Powder Coated Center Stand And Original Side Stand
Recovered Seat
Rear Fender Decals
Paint, Pinstripe & Decal
Paint, Pinstripe & Decal
Parcel Rack
Parcel Rack
Rebuilt & Vapor Blasted Rear Drive
Rebuilt & Vapor Blasted Rear Drive
Right Side Pannier Frame & New Rear Shock
Paint, Pinstripe & BMW Roundel
Paint, Pinstripe With Original Gas Cap
Paint, Pinstripe & BMW Roundel
Project Complete Walk-Around Video
This is a video walk-around of the completed rebuilt bike.
VIDEO: 1983 BMW R80ST Project Complete Walk-Around
Next Steps
I will break-in the bike and shake it down to be sure everything is correct, which will take between 600-1,000 miles to accomplish so the buyer is assured the restoration is in perfect working order. I will keep and publish a log of all the things I do during the break-in.
Revisions
2023-07-18 Minor edits.
The best job, I’ve ever seen! If the bike wouldn’t be in the US, I would buy it. Unfortunately too far for me – living in Europe.
Lupo
Lupo,
Thank you.
Best.
Brook.
Congrats, Brook. Job well done.
Ran,
Thank you very much, my friend.
Best.
Brook.
thanks brooks for doing such a detailed job of documenting this rebuild. i’ve used your videos many times, especially the transmission ones as mine (91 R100 GSPD) has been out 3 times in the last year. good luck with the auction.
Mike,
Thank you. I’ll post a note about the auction when I get it set up.
Best.
Brook.