Considering an airhead as a commuter - Page 2

Big John Sny · 07-06-2009, 09:02 PM

Also, I will be keeping my eye out for the dual disk forks, disk, calipers ect., but the bike doesn't really seem to stop that bad. Maybe I just have been riding that 1100 shadow too long.

Wirespokes · 07-07-2009, 07:15 AM

It sounds like the flasher is wonky. The light is supposed to stay off until the signals flash.

The ignition switch is from a 74 that had extra positions.

Airhead Wrangler · 07-07-2009, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wirespokes

It sounds like the flasher is wonky. The light is supposed to stay off until the signals flash.

Either that or someone wired them up as running lights sometime in their past. Look for "aftermarket" wiring/splices.

Big John Sny · 07-07-2009, 08:31 AM

I will check the wiring. I think I found a wiring diagram. Hey, how many gears is my bike supposed to be? I was reading that the S model has a 5 speed. Is my R100/7 supposed to have 4 or has someone swapped that out also?

newride · 07-07-2009, 10:15 AM

eh, no need for dual disks. I have been ridng mine with one disk for 7 years. It stops just fine.

Big John Sny · 07-07-2009, 10:34 AM

I still can't upload the photos, but let's see if this works to add pic. The oil spot was in the parking spot before I got there.

Kismet · 07-07-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big John Sny

I still can't upload the photos, but let's see if this works to add pic. The oil spot was in the parking spot before I got there.

You did VERY well.

While hardly the expert some of the other posters are, I've never had a problem with single discs...while living in Chicago city-proper, nor out here in the rural roads of Wisconsin. When my 90s was killed, I put a second disc from it on the slash 7, but really didn't notice any great difference. Your riding style may influence your decision.

Pick up a Clymers manual or ...er...Haynes...or both.

If you like the bike, you will love the bike. One of those things.... And in that era, the airheads were individualized by most owners...Brown side stands, different fairings, handlebar swaps, etc. I haven't done it, but I think the airheads most benefit from the enhanced generator modification. Goes from 280 to...er? 400. Don't think it causes other issues. Folks here will be able to advise you better.

Congratulations.

Airhead Wrangler · 07-07-2009, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kismet

I haven't done it, but I think the airheads most benefit from the enhanced generator modification. Goes from 280 to...er? 400. Don't think it causes other issues.

Just for commuting purposes, as long as you can keep your revs up above 2500 or so I'd say the stock charging system is fine. Make sure all your connections are clean and you shouldn't have any problems with its capacity unless you're planning to run all sorts of lights and heated riding gear. I ran the stock system for a while and had no problems with it. I found though that I was doing a good chunk of my riding after dark and wanted more light...enough to blind deer. Though I could probably just barely squeak by with the stock charging system, I didn't want to tax it too hard. I installed an enduralast and totally forgot about it. It does it's job and doesn't require ANY maintenance.

bmwblake · 07-07-2009, 01:24 PM

i commute on mine. stock system does fine, though i do use a battery tender every couple of days for good measure.

Hanover Fist · 07-07-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big John Sny

Hey, how many gears is my bike supposed to be? I was reading that the S model has a 5 speed. Is my R100/7 supposed to have 4 or has someone swapped that out also?

You should have a 5-speed.

Canuman · 07-07-2009, 05:02 PM

I had my mechanic rebuild the master on my 76 R90/6 single disk and massage the system, and find it pretty acceptable. There's a really good visual on www.realclassic.co.uk here: http://www.realclassic.co.uk/bmwr8009031000.html in which the blokes in boiler suits explain the mysteries of the ATE front brakes.

RealClassic is almost as much of a pisser as the Asylum.

Capital Cycle has the rebuild kits, should you need one.

Brakes only slow you down, anyway.

Dude, who stole your fifth gear?

Dr.

07-07-2009, 05:31 PM

I bought mine while I lived in Fresno and never owned a car there. I went everywhere with it including college, work and grocery shopping. Even went drinkin' with her but don't recommend it, I'll spare the sorted details. I didn't have a battery charger in those days either.

Big John Sny · 07-08-2009, 04:15 AM

Ha, I found my 5th gear on the way home from work yesterday. It wasn't stolen. I just misplaced it. The guy I got the bike from only had it a little while. He is the one that told me it only had 4. I guess I will believe anything. The turn signal think may have to do with the alarm system that has been added. I did notice the light turns off after about 20 minutes of riding and then works perfectly.

Wirespokes · 07-08-2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big John Sny

Ha, I found my 5th gear on the way home from work yesterday.The turn signal thing may have to do with the alarm system...

Perhaps the missing fifth gear is also an anti theft thing as well... the creep won't be able to ride as fast getting away.

WooPig · 07-08-2009, 06:26 PM

Yeah, that looks real good. You're commuting in style now.

07-07-2009, 07:15 AM	#17
Wirespokes Beemerholics Anonymous Joined: Jul 2002 Location: Jackson's Bottom Oregon Oddometer: 7,354	It sounds like the flasher is wonky. The light is supposed to stay off until the signals flash. The ignition switch is from a 74 that had extra positions. __________________ Wanted: Dead, smashed, crashed or trashed gauges BMW GAUGE REPAIRS - TACHSPEEDOCLOCKVOLT METER PODs & LIGHT BOARD*

07-07-2009, 10:15 AM	#20
newride Studly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2008 Location: South Shore of MA Oddometer: 668	eh, no need for dual disks. I have been ridng mine with one disk for 7 years. It stops just fine. __________________ 1975 BMW R90/6 2006 DR 650 My moto blog: http://jbloggie1.blogspot.com/

07-07-2009, 05:02 PM	#26
Canuman Cheese, Gromit? Joined: Jun 2008 Location: The Palace of the People, VT Oddometer: 3,287	Binders I had my mechanic rebuild the master on my 76 R90/6 single disk and massage the system, and find it pretty acceptable. There's a really good visual on www.realclassic.co.uk here: http://www.realclassic.co.uk/bmwr8009031000.html in which the blokes in boiler suits explain the mysteries of the ATE front brakes. RealClassic is almost as much of a pisser as the Asylum. Capital Cycle has the rebuild kits, should you need one. Brakes only slow you down, anyway. Dude, who stole your fifth gear? Dr. __________________ We have no resources. We produce nothing. But...we have plenty of MEAN. Fearless Leader Motorcycle Racks Handmade in the US! Support a fellow Rider! Dual Sport Luggage Racks for: DRZ-S, SM and E, DR 650 and KLR650: http://www.moto-racks.com

07-08-2009, 06:26 PM	#30
WooPig Subject to Change Joined: Aug 2006 Location: The Southern Plains. All of it. Oddometer: 552	Yeah, that looks real good. You're commuting in style now. __________________

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07-06-2009, 09:02 PM	#16
Big John Sny ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Irving, Tx Oddometer: 466	Also, I will be keeping my eye out for the dual disk forks, disk, calipers ect., but the bike doesn't really seem to stop that bad. Maybe I just have been riding that 1100 shadow too long.

07-07-2009, 08:31 AM	#19
Big John Sny ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Irving, Tx Oddometer: 466	I will check the wiring. I think I found a wiring diagram. Hey, how many gears is my bike supposed to be? I was reading that the S model has a 5 speed. Is my R100/7 supposed to have 4 or has someone swapped that out also?

07-07-2009, 10:34 AM	#21
Big John Sny ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Irving, Tx Oddometer: 466	I still can't upload the photos, but let's see if this works to add pic. The oil spot was in the parking spot before I got there.

07-07-2009, 01:24 PM	#24
bmwblake upside down parker Joined: Mar 2004 Location: nashville, tn Oddometer: 3,238	i commute on mine. stock system does fine, though i do use a battery tender every couple of days for good measure.

07-07-2009, 05:31 PM	#27
Jasper ST4 Guest Oddometer: n/a	I bought mine while I lived in Fresno and never owned a car there. I went everywhere with it including college, work and grocery shopping. Even went drinkin' with her but don't recommend it, I'll spare the sorted details. I didn't have a battery charger in those days either.

07-08-2009, 04:15 AM	#28
Big John Sny ^OP Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2009 Location: Irving, Tx Oddometer: 466	Ha, I found my 5th gear on the way home from work yesterday. It wasn't stolen. I just misplaced it. The guy I got the bike from only had it a little while. He is the one that told me it only had 4. I guess I will believe anything. The turn signal think may have to do with the alarm system that has been added. I did notice the light turns off after about 20 minutes of riding and then works perfectly.