Looking at a 1980 R80

[Jay B RDH]

What to look for specificially? any common problems? The bike Im considering is 1 owner and has approx 125k on the odo...

 

[Stylo Steve]

Look up Chris Harris's videos on YouTube. You'll learn a lot of the good and bad things about all BMWs pre-1995. He's a bit foul but he was a BMW tech for many many years and knows his stuff. They're great bikes but when they break... They break!

Good luck.

 

[dduelin]

R80s are considered quite reliable airheads with few problems. The transmission output splines that drive the clutch friction plate are prone to stripping if they are not greased on a regular basis. The original valve seats were too soft for the transition to unleaded fuels in the late 1970s and would recede into the cylinder head. The original owner would or should have info on when the splines were last greased ( I and many airhead owners used Honda Moly60 so there is that to deal with ) and if the valve seats were replaced by BMW or later in life. I rode my 1981 R100 to 120,000 miles but I did get a valve job at 80,000 miles because I did not have history on the bike prior to 75,000 when I bought it and had to replace the transmission output shaft at about the same time. After that I pulled the transmission back about 3/4" to grease the splines every 12,000 miles. These are very simple bikes and easy to work on.

 

[Upt' North]

A 40 year old R80 will be a bit of a culture shock, unless you know what to expect. The ST11's hide their age well, not so the early airheads. As per Dave, unleaded fuel may be an issue. Especially E10.
I rode R80RT service bikes and the cylinder heads always leaked, your boots never let water in. Every cloud has a silver lining.
But they are fairly robust and simple to work on, but that might have to be home maintenance, unless you have good access to an old airhead tech.
Good luck and a 1 owner 40 year old bike must be a rarity.
Upt'North.

 

[dduelin]

I should have mentioned E10 in that vintage bike.

I never had a problem with E10 in a 1981 R100 but the bike was ridden often and never sat for more than a couple of weeks if that. I rode that bike all over the SE USA after going through it in a rolling restoration. Very reliable but yes the brakes are not up to the ST1300 and the electrical system is not going to run a bunch of lights or full heated gear. A number of businesses actively support the airhead community in aftermarket electrical and BMW still supplies a remarkable amount of new parts for it. When I was buying parts for my 1981 in 2006 - 2012 they weren't that expensive compared to Honda.

 

[SMSW]

the electrical system is not going to run a bunch of lights or full heated gear.

When I was shopping for an upgrade to my T3 Guzzi's electrical system a couple of months ago. I saw that 450 watt alternators are available for some BMW's. I don't know if the bike you are looking at is compatible with these, but it's worth a look.

 

[bdalameda]

Here's a pretty nice R100/7 with only 23K miles on it. Fly and ride home.

1978 BMW 100/7 motorcycle - motorcycles/scooters - by owner -...

All original, 2nd owner, 23,000 miles This bike rides and handles great. extras: saddles bags, tank bag, tools, manuels.

sfbay.craigslist.org

 

[Igofar]

I tried to talk the guy out of it after I finished going through it, but he would not even listen to reason

And for you BMW owners out there....notice anything different about this R90/6?

The BMW I lusted after (after selling one ) was an 1985 R80 G/S Basic 1 of 200 made.
(Borrowed picture from internet)

 

[bdalameda]

R90/6 did not have dual front disc brakes. Also has R90S bars. It might also have the larger R90s carbs - the intake tubes look larger than stock.

 

[dduelin]

R90/6 did not have dual front disc brakes. Also has R90S bars. It might also have the larger R90s carbs - the intake tubes look larger than stock.

No, those carbs are Bings which came on all airheads except the R90S. The R90S had Dell'Orto slide carbs. Probably an R90S front wheel set up to get the dual ATE brakes.

 

[Jay B RDH]

R80s are considered quite reliable airheads with few problems. The transmission output splines that drive the clutch friction plate are prone to stripping if they are not greased on a regular basis. The original valve seats were too soft for the transition to unleaded fuels in the late 1970s and would recede into the cylinder head. The original owner would or should have info on when the splines were last greased ( I and many airhead owners used Honda Moly60 so there is that to deal with ) and if the valve seats were replaced by BMW or later in life. I rode my 1981 R100 to 120,000 miles but I did get a valve job at 80,000 miles because I did not have history on the bike prior to 75,000 when I bought it and had to replace the transmission output shaft at about the same time. After that I pulled the transmission back about 3/4" to grease the splines every 12,000 miles. These are very simple bikes and easy to work on.

Thanks for the info...unfortunately the original owner is 92 and not long for this world... not sure what info and receipts are available or can be easily located...

 

[Jay B RDH]

heres what im looking at....

 

[Igofar]

Rip the fairing off, but some R90/6 bars, and find the stock seat, and she should clean up real nice.

 

[Jay B RDH]

Rip the fairing off, but some R90/6 bars, and find the stock seat, and she should clean up real nice.

I agree...not a fan of the fairing...nor the seat

 

[klaproth]

Here's a pretty nice R100/7 with only 23K miles on it. Fly and ride home.

1978 BMW 100/7 motorcycle - motorcycles/scooters - by owner -...

All original, 2nd owner, 23,000 miles This bike rides and handles great. extras: saddles bags, tank bag, tools, manuels.

sfbay.craigslist.org

The 1978 R100/7 is probably the nadir of the older Airheads. With 23,000 miles on it, it’s just broken in. Just a word of caution: odometers on these bikes were notoriously unreliable, and often don’t show the true mileage. Very easy to work on.
I’d recommend a compression test before handing money over.
As Ray said, they often had seeping oil leaks, mainly the pushrod seals. Easy to fix though!
Good luck in your search!

 

[Larry Fine]

You guys who don't care for Vetter fairings might not like my "CB750ST" then:

 

[Igofar]

You guys who don't care for Vetter fairings might not like my "CB750ST" then:

Your right, I don’t
I had a Vetter fairing on an old Honda almost kill me crossing some train tracks years ago.
All the little plastic fasteners snapped off and sent the shield back at me.
Caught me in the throat.
And if that was not enough, I found it was longer than my arms and almost pulled the bars out of my hands.

 

[bdalameda]

No, those carbs are Bings which came on all airheads except the R90S. The R90S had Dell'Orto slide carbs. Probably an R90S front wheel set up to get the dual ATE brakes.

Yes correct I remember now about the Dell'Orto carbs Trying to remember if the R100S had CV type carbs. The intake tubes look bigger than I remember though.

I just looked at pictures of the R100s and it does have Bing CV carbs. It's been so long I think I have my BMWs mixed up.

 

[CDNolddude]

Almost bought this one instead of my first 04 ST1300. Wish I had room for both. It was in great condition and fun to ride but surprisingly slow.

 

[bdalameda]

The R80's are a bit slow though smoother than the R100. The R100's have good mid range punch and work surprisingly well on mountain roads with a wide powerband. I liked the airheads I used to own. So simple to work on too.
I wish that the more modern bikes were so easy to work on. I love my Africa Twin but it is a nightmare to get to air filters, sparkplugs and to check valve clearances. Probably as difficult or maybe more than the ST's. Luckily you don't have to do much to maintain them though. The only modern bikes that seem to be easy to service are the Motoguzzi's.