My experience with my builds is that as I break-in the motor I also will find various issues I have to fix and adjustments I need to make. This is the log of what I did for the first 600 miles riding the bike during the break-in and shake down period.
1983 R100RS Public Unveiling At Our First Coffee Shop Ride
When I got the 1983 R100RS, aka “Cookie Monster”, the seat cover had a tear in it. Since it’s over 35 years old with 83,000+ miles it’s time to get it recovered. If I’m going to do that, I might as well get it reupholstered so it’s a custom fit for me and my wife.
Original Seat Cover Has A Tear And Maybe Water Damage To The Foam
I’ve heard good things about a local company, Bitchn Stitchn, in metro-Denver, Colorado, who rebuilds and makes custom seats. Dan Ballard and Paul Brown were there when I dropped by with my seat. I talked about the style I wanted and we set an appointment for me to come with the bike and seat so they can do the fitting.
The fitting process took about three hours and the final result is awesome. I highly recommend them.
Finished Seat And Seat Back Mounted On Cookie Monster
Finished Seat And Seat Back Mounted On Cookie Monster
Finished Seat Has A More Comfortable Shape With Better Leg Support
Finished Seat Back And Rear Luggage Rack
Here is a bit longer article showing the work in progress.
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. 🙂
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. 🙂
Richard (Rick) Losh, did the pinstripes. The Dunkel Blue parts have red and white stripes, with the exception of the upper side panels that have a single red stripe. The seat cowl in Scheme Code 130 was painted Dunkel Blue, but I choose to use Hell Silver with a single white pinstripe. Here is a short video showing Rick applying the pinstripes.
VIDEO: 1983 BMW R100RS Rick Losh Painting Pinstripes
And some pictures of the final product.
Upper Panel Stripes
Tank, Fender And Seat Cowl Stripped
I had the fairing, front fender, side covers and gas tank painted in a two tone paint scheme, code 130, used on the RS bikes; the colors are Dunkel Blue and Hell Silver. In this scheme, the seat cowl is painted Dunkel Blue but I chose to use Hell Silver instead. And in tribute to the first year 1977 RS, I had matte clear coat applied instead of gloss and a single white pin stripe applied.
This shows how I do the work and a short video showing some of the assembly details.
VIDEO: 1983 BMW R100RS Install Seat Cowl and Seat
Here are the parts.
Seat Cowl And Seat Hardware
I installed a combination grab rail/parcel rack.
Rondel and RS Badge Installed
The hinges on the later seats are designed to slide over the hinge pins and the seat is secured on the rear pin with a clip.
Seat Hinges
Seat Hinge Retaining Clamp
Retaining Clip Installed In Groove On Rear Seat Hinge
All Done.
All Done
All Done