my r100gs
 

Just purchased a 1989 r100gs, my first bmw. Reading some of the threads I can see that I have alot to learn. Is the 1989 r100gs a oilhead or a hex head and why? Thanks

airhead
 

Hey Ridge Runner

Have a look at this link. It will gives some insight.

Cheers

BMW Airhead Motorcycles

It is an Airhead - i.e. an aircooled engine.

You might find this usefull:
Airheads Beemer Club - Home
BMW Motorcycle Owners of America
Motoren-Israel

Well done. You are very lucky to own the greatest bike ever built.

It is "unstoppable" in both senses: impossible to break, and rubbish brakes!

Ridge Runner these people are about to become your bestest friends..... Moto-bins - BMW Spare Parts and Accessories for Motorcycles - Index and
BMW Motorcycle Parts // Welcome


they do mail order the world over

Enjoy!

Top 5 things to do to improve a 20 year old R100GS:

Get the carbs tuned by an expert.
Get new throttle, clutch and choke cables.
Get the forks refurbished.
Fit a Hawker Odyssey battery.
New tyres - TKC80 if riding on dirt, Tourance if not.

The rear shock might also need replacing. You'll be tempted by Ohlins, but i've not been that impressed.

Most likely failures:

Starter motor (the original ones were rubbish, but the latest BMW stock replacements are fine, no need for an expensive alternative).
Drive shaft - they wear out in as little as 30,000 miles.
Gear box - get the oil serviced religiously. They fail. They cost lots.

Also watch out for the external mechanisms on the carbs getting gunged-up and sticking. Avoid spraying the carb mechanism with oil (especially WD40), as it wrecks the cables. Just clean off the gunk.

Check to see if the bike has the Y-Piece or collector box in the middle of the exhaust system.
If it is the Y piece then you'll need to clean the clutch actuating mechanism regularly, the collector box shields it from most road dirt.

Enjoy the best bike ever built....

Interesting list of improvements there, which I would agree with although I think you're better off spending the money and some equipment to balance the carbs and learn to do it yourself - it is very easy.

The forks can benefit from some tuning to your taste and the front brake could do with some improvement, the cheapest and biggest improvement can usually be achieved just by changing the hose to a braided type (assuming everything else is working properly).

I have a Technoflex shock on mine with a White Power which I use when the bike is very heavily laden. Could get a lighter spring for the White Power and use it all the time but it's not really any better than the Technoflex.

Another mod if you are a bit short in the leg is fit the rear shock from an R100R, it lowers the seat about an inch and reduces the swinging arm movement giving longer shaft life, my last shaft did over 100,000 miles, many of those overland with luggage. Avon Distanzias give good life and reasonable handling on road.
New jets and needles in the carbs every 50,000 miles give a few more mpg.

They are one of the best all round bikes ever made.