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BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only. Questions comparing which bike is best etc go in the "Which Bike" forum.

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  #1  
Old 3 Feb 2004
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Location: Southampton
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BMWR100GS-got one

Just about to purchase an 89 100GS quite cheaply but it does have issues but againg this is quite cheap!(£1300). However the exhaust seems to be off a road bike RT maybe? as it has 2 exhausts and are low down, are these hard to get second hand for the GS? what type of cost is it. I would like a sports bike aftermarket one as they do look good on the GS.expensive to do- new bits or easy modification?

Also I have heard of people putting honda forks and wheels on the front for better breaking and suspension, anyone know which one fits or is at least the easiest to fit with fewest modification?.

I was thinking transalp or simular with front wheel yokes and breaks etc..

Ive not tried a GS before and it seems to whine slightly like a landrover does while moving along the road, is that normal? again I'm not used to bikes like this. It also knocks a little on tickover but soon as you rev it the knocking stops, it's not coming from the barrels more engine, many 2 strokes Ive had do this especially warming up and have always been fine, is this normal for a GS?.

All previous bikes have been Jap made, non twin or even air cooled so i could be just hearing what the engine noise makes as normal as they are noisier Ive been told but any tips would be appreciated. Mileage says 23K but i know it had a recon engine fitted in 1999 so that milage must be on he new engine.It drives well and I'm prepaired to spend a bit on it to get it the way I want it- perfect as I'd like to keep it for a while and travel to SAfrica next year.
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  #2  
Old 3 Feb 2004
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Location: Sicamous,Canada
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hi
try gs club website for more info at www.ukgser.com
I know a howard from the club as an exhaust for sale if you can't see it on the site e-mail me

nobby
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  #3  
Old 4 Feb 2004
Grant Johnson's Avatar
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Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Vancouver BC Canada
Posts: 3,827
Quote:
Originally posted by martync:
Just about to purchase an 89 100GS quite cheaply but it does have issues but againg this is quite cheap!(£1300). However the exhaust seems to be off a road bike RT maybe? as it has 2 exhausts and are low down, are these hard to get second hand for the GS? what type of cost is it. I would like a sports bike aftermarket one as they do look good on the GS.expensive to do- new bits or easy modification?
I'd suggest holding off on this for the time being. There are advantages to the low exhaust, and unless you are planning on crossing rivers regularly, the low exhaust is fine.


Quote:
Originally posted by martync:

Also I have heard of people putting honda forks and wheels on the front for better breaking and suspension, anyone know which one fits or is at least the easiest to fit with fewest modification?.

I was thinking transalp or simular with front wheel yokes and breaks etc..
Again, hold off on this for now. The GS (NOT G/S) forks aren't bad, and the brakes can be upgraded inexpensively. A bigger 320mm disk and stock caliper with good pads is considered very good. You can also add a 6 piston caliper off a sport bike to the 320mm disk.

Quote:
Originally posted by martync:

Ive not tried a GS before and it seems to whine slightly like a landrover does while moving along the road, is that normal? again I'm not used to bikes like this. It also knocks a little on tickover but soon as you rev it the knocking stops, it's not coming from the barrels more engine, many 2 strokes Ive had do this especially warming up and have always been fine, is this normal for a GS?.

All previous bikes have been Jap made, non twin or even air cooled so i could be just hearing what the engine noise makes as normal as they are noisier Ive been told but any tips would be appreciated. Mileage says 23K but i know it had a recon engine fitted in 1999 so that milage must be on he new engine.It drives well and I'm prepaired to spend a bit on it to get it the way I want it- perfect as I'd like to keep it for a while and travel to SAfrica next year.
Get thee to an airhead expert and have it looked at and listened to. Will put your mind at rest, and could easily find some problems that should be solved - but once you KNOW what the status of it really is, you can plan accordingly and sensibly without wild guessing.

Airheads DO make all sorts of noise you may not be used to, but I don't like the whine. At low speeds ok, after that not ok. The knocking is probably the gearbox banging around - normal. Pull in the clutch and it should stop.

Have fun with it, they do require work and an expert hand, but they respond well to careful tinkering, and are one of the easiest bikes there is to work on in most areas. Join the airheads, and get the airhead mag. You'll learn a lot from there too. www.airheads.org


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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.

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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
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  #4  
Old 4 Feb 2004
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Grant thanks for the advice, had it checked out before buying which cost me a bit but worth it as the bike was a dog and needed a lot spent on it just to become servicable/road legal, let alone any tidying etc.. so on the advice from the HUBB, I winced on the deal but saved myself a lot of bother and cash. Think it best to spend a bit more an a PD when /if ever I can find one.

cheers

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