Project BMW R1100 RS part 1 Don't start!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics|May 2020
Or is it part four? Well, part four of our Kev’s missives and it’s the end of a very long road for his high-mileage BMW!
KEV RAYMOND
Project BMW R1100 RS part 1 Don't start!

I've had my 1997 BMWR1100RS for 11 mostly happy years. I originally ran it as a long-term project and product testing mule for another magazine, and at the end of the test period I was so attached to it – and it was so useful for my Channel-hopping existence at the time – I coughed up some of my own cash, found it a permanent home in the barn and turned it into a fully appointed long-distance tourer/commuter with heated seats, pimped electrics and heavily modified suspension.

Along the way I took it through the 100,000-mile barrier, at which point the engine got a strip and refresh, and I had a long-term plan to fit a brand new wiring loom, powder-coat the sub-frames and wheels, and generally make it all look nice again. But at the back end of last year I had a sudden realisation about the RS, which was that I was never going to get round to any of that – just too many other projects needing funds and time, both of which were in short supply.

A change in working patterns meant I wasn't using it much out of necessity, and a change in mindset meant I wasn't using it much for fun either, so when it got to the end of summer and it hadn't actually turned a wheel since Spring, I knew it was time to set the old girl free. Before I could change my mind I grabbed a bucket and sponge, gave her a sluice over (and removed a headless mouse from the pillion seat – cats are so thoughtful), took some photos and stuck an advert on the French equivalent of Gumtree. My thinking was that by the time anyone called, I'd have had time to give her a looking at, maybe an oil change and a quick service, and generally make sure everything worked.

Denne historien er fra May 2020-utgaven av Classic Motorcycle Mechanics.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May 2020-utgaven av Classic Motorcycle Mechanics.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA CLASSIC MOTORCYCLE MECHANICSSe alt
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Honda VFR750R - RC30

If there’s a more worshipped V4 out there, we’ve yet to see it: welcome to our reboot of the awesome VFR750R RC30…

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2021
Mountain tension!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Mountain tension!

Award-winning motorcycle engineer!

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2021
Fazer set to STUN!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Fazer set to STUN!

What do you get when you mix CRK’s lovely café racer kit to Yamaha’s budget middleweight and the recently-retired Martin Fox? Well, one helluva foxy Fazer!

time-read
6 mins  |
September 2021
Project Suzuki 1984 RG250 part 4 BRUNO BARES ALL!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Project Suzuki 1984 RG250 part 4 BRUNO BARES ALL!

This month, while we wait for backorder engine parts, we strip the chassis back to the bare frame, assess what is needed and plan the reassembly…

time-read
6 mins  |
September 2021
Project Kawasaki Z900 Stocker part 2 Ralph has a blast!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Project Kawasaki Z900 Stocker part 2 Ralph has a blast!

For the best finish on his Z900’s motor Ralph wants the best, so he visits Stephen Smethurst Casting Renovation to find out how it’s done properly.

time-read
10 mins  |
September 2021
Project Suzuki TS400 Part 8 Loom with a view!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Project Suzuki TS400 Part 8 Loom with a view!

We’re getting down into the nitty-gritty this time with component testing and loom building. What could go wrong?

time-read
6 mins  |
September 2021
Project Yamaha TX750 Part 12 A question of balance…
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Project Yamaha TX750 Part 12 A question of balance…

Only The Beach Boys had good vibrations… so what’s Mark been up to, to sort out the bad ones coming from his TX750?

time-read
6 mins  |
September 2021
Splitting links
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Splitting links

Ralph Ferrand works with tools all day long – he sells them too at bikerstoolbox.co.uk so he knows what works.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2021
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

STAVROS: PRINCE OF PRANKSTERS!

It’s probably fair to say that Stephen JamesParrish’s persona and overall levity throughout his life have muddied the waters as to just how good a bike racer he was back in the day.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2021
Metal magic!
Classic Motorcycle Mechanics

Metal magic!

Ralph Ferrand works with tools all day long – he sells them too at bikerstoolbox co uk so he knows what works.. .

time-read
3 mins  |
July 2021