1982 BMW R100RS – $6,000 (Sold)
SELLER SAYS: Mostly original, currently registered in Queensland but selling unregistered.
Keywords:
Wedgetail ignition.
Maxton GP20 fork cartridges
Wilbers Shocks (mech preload).
Toaster Tan Top Triple
Katdash/Otto Instrument overhaul
Rectifier/regulator update.
Dedicated headlight wiring/relays.
EBC semi floating f/rotors. Stainless steel brake lines.
13mm F/Master
Keihan stainless steel exhaust.
Tungsten carbide ex valve seats.
Siebenrock repro panniers.
Near new tires.
Service records from 11,000km (used import 2007, papers included)
Problems:
Rear brake has failed, looks to have leaked fluid onto disc.
Not restored. Cosmetic damage from use, some corrosion (looks superficial, chrome not great etc), fairing lower RHS broken.
Some drive spline wear.
Clock loses approx 1 min/year. (Otto Instruments again)
Friction throttle screw missing. (did anyone ever use that?)
Check photos please.
There’s a small box of parts; pair unused metal gear brake rotors, rear brake line, maybe some filters/gaskets etc. Lucky dip I guess.
Until the rear brake issue it rode surprisingly well. I used it for pretty much everything but it wasn’t my only bike so km’s took a long time to accumulate. I guess I did not look after it much cosmetically, mechanically pretty much by the book. Rider’s bike, not a show pony. Call for details.
Selling as is, unregistered. 99,800km.
Contact Matthew on 0448 xxx xxx SOLD (Runaway Bay – Gold Coast, Queensland)
EDITOR TERLICK SAYS: I’m old enough to remember the arrival of the R100RS and the universal accolades it drew. It was as though BMW had sought to build the perfect motorcycle – and pretty much succeeded. There was a memorable road test in the US Cycle World magazine (astonishingly, I found a copy of it online – read it here) in which the tester described the big Beemer gunning down the highway, it’s speedo wobbling about between 115mph and 120mph. “But the uncanny thing about it all is that the only real rush of wind is against your helmet. The machine is as comfortable and secure as if it were running along at the federally posted 55.” The snazzy little bikini fairing of the much-loved R90S had grown to provide full protection, and the R90S Dellortos had reverted back to the much more BMW-esque Bings. The R100RS was a substantial evolution of BMW’s top bike – an exotic, exclusive and expensive machine that didn’t know or care whether people thought it was a tourer or a sports bike. Fast-forward near-on half a century and you can’t help but question the true value of “modern technology”. Yes, we have ABS brakes and traction control and adjustable suspension but, apart from Starship Enterprise acceleration, there’s not much a modern bike can do that the R100RS can not. This example of Matthew’s looks like a wonderful purchase for an existing or willing-to-be BMW fan. While it would benefit from a substantial restoration, its near-on 100,000km is not in itself a major concern as these engines are renowned for going around the clock multiple times before they wear out. Dealing with the rear brake and perhaps the drive spline would get it back on the road as a marvellous survivor, ready to keep on rolling.
