R100 Project - back from a long slumber

[HugoR100]

Hello all! I was recently gifted an `82 R100 with ~4500 miles. The bike belonged to my best friends father who is not doing so well recently. I remember checking the bike out in the garage many years ago when visiting back in the early 90's. Fast forward to a couple of months back, I get a call from my friend asking if I wanted the bike. There are many issues with her which is why I am here. Bike has not in run in more than a decade. The bike had an after-market fairing which I have since removed (any market for these?). On to the issues:

-Gas tank cap is seized and will not open
-I have not tied to rotate the engine as of yet but thats in the plan.
-I assume both carbs need to be rebuilt
-I assume brake lines will need to be flushed at least, replaced at most.
-Will need to replaced dirty brake fluid reservoir
-Front shock tubes a pitted with rust where the boots used to be (replacement required?)
-Will perform valve alignment.
-Clutch should be ok (?)

https://www.icloud.com/photostream/#A15 ... 6146A63EBC

More photos up soon. (need to find hosting.
Any suggestions? Procedure for reserrecting an old bike? Many thanks!!

[Major Softie]

If you can get the cap open, and if the engine turns, many would first try doing the minimum, which is:

Fresh oil (engine, tranny, and rear diff)
Fresh gas
New battery
Tire pressure
Check the float bowls are clean

And then deal with the rest as it comes.


Personally, I would add the brake fluid to that list, and new tires, and I'd probably mist a little oil into the cylinders before I started it. And, yes, a valve adjustment is always a good start. A little 2000 grit or so wet/dry paper with a light oil instead of water will make sure those pitted fork tubes don't have abrasive points sticking up to tear up the seals - then you can replace them at your leisure, as they'll still work pitted. The brake lines may be fine - more likely that calipers need rebuilding than anything else, but you'll find that out when you see if they work after fluid change. New brake lines on a 30+ year-old bike are always good for the braking performance, but with the really low miles on this bike, they may not be all that spongy. The carbs may well require rebuilding, but may perform alright on startup.

If the engine is seized, then you're going to be pulling the top end apart.


Ten years can totally destroy a bike, or may do almost no damage. It all depends on the prep and (far more so) on the environment. Ten years in the shade in Arizona probably would do less than a year uncovered in Hawaii.

[enigmaT120]

Gifted? That's a nice bike for that price. What was the fairing?

Gas Caps:

http://largiader.com/articles/gascap/

Yes to brake lines, and you will want to take apart the brake calipers and clean the gunk out of them. The reservoir should clean up OK but I don't know about the piston and other internal bits.

Are the fork tubes pitted where the seals slide? If not I wouldn't bother replacing them, just clean them up and put new boots on. Replace the fork fluid too.

Clutch should be fine unless it's stuck from sitting so long. You can test for that whilst trying to rotate the engine.

[Rob]

Does the gas cap just spin freely?
If so, after making sure it is unlocked, take a length of rope an loop it through the handle of the cap. Stand on the footpegs and tie the rope in a loop large enough to go around one shoulder.
While applying upward pressure, unscrew the cap.

Take care not to tighten it too much in the future.

[enigmaT120]

Does the gas cap just spin freely?
If so, after making sure it is unlocked, take a length of rope an loop it through the handle of the cap. Stand on the footpegs and tie the rope in a loop large enough to go around one shoulder.
While applying upward pressure, unscrew the cap.

Take care not to tighten it too much in the future.

Yeah. Don't tie it in a slip knot around your neck like, um, somebody probably did.