BMW Bike Build Porn

[Jarvicious]

I couldn't think of another word for porn that started with "B".



So as I'm sure a few of yun's know, I picked up an 88 BMW R100RT earlier this year for use on the open road (the Ducati really doesn't cut it). Here's The Big Dirty at her first day home.




It took me to St. Louis quite a few times as well as Chicago and around about central MO, but she finally decided to take a big shit halfway into Indiana on my mom and I's trip out to NYC. I wont' get into all the gory details of the NY trip, but here's a snapshot of me doing some "gearbox diagnosing" in the parking lot of an Advanced Auto parts. Mom's bike is supervising in the background.





Considering the 20 ish hour trip out to the coast, I had plenty of time to think about what a D-bag the Beemer was turning out to be and that it had 3 major trips and 3 fairly major incidents. Getting a tire changed at Gateway BMW a few months ago (awesome people, btw) I remember Honz showing me the exact same year and model as my bike that they'd torn to shreds and turned into a bit of a "cafe" bike. I'd always liked the classic BMW/Norton/BSA drop bar, solo seat look so I decided after much deliberation to turn her into a bit of a custom. In browsing around for custom airhead inspiration, I actually stumbled on a pic of the exact bike that gave me the idea in the first place. That's not me in the pic. I'm much cuter.




This thing is the exact same as my bike, with the exception of the color. It was kinda nice to see what someone else had fucked up so I knew not to do the same things .

The teardown started the second I got the bike home from Illinois (minus botched gearbox of course). The disassembly turned out to be a lot more of a pain in the ass than I thought, but she was eventually nothing more than a pair of wheels with a motor and a shitload of wires.

Minus some gearing


Minus the windshield and some other bits


FINALLY got the main fairing off


Finally got the handlebars disconnected and all the controls off.


Gas tank emptying. There were a couple of damn gallons left in there.


My lovely assistant


Parts galore. There are quite a few more of them by now.


Screwing with the subframe/plastics


Rollin motor


Upon further inspection of the subframe. Good thing I don't need it



Carb-tastic. Too bad I won't need them anymore.



The wiring hell that is my life



Boxer goodness


The teardown is almost complete, give or take some wiring. I'm working on building a work stand so I can set up a jig and get to work on building the subframe and getting the overall geometry setup. I think I have the project flow figured out. Forks and front wheel (have to stay with BMW rear hub at least because of the single sided swingarm) and rear suspension to get the geometry set. Next is clipons and construction of the subframe and seat. From there I have to decide where the exhaust is gonna go, probably under seat, as well as about a hundred other tiny fuckin decisions I'll have to make. Cash flow's an issue, so this is gonna be long and torturous

[Leah P]

I want to dognap your dog.

[FalxZZR]

man looks like you have gotten alot done, and alot to go, keep us updated!!


also..

I just have to say...





WHAT A WITTLE CUTEY CUTEY CUTEY

WHOS A WITTLE BABY?! YOU ARE! YES YOU AREEEE! GIVE ME KISS> GIVE ME WITTLE KISS KISS>

[FudogNinja]

Holy detail Batman! Great work! Keep it comin!

p.s. I am a fan of your assistant as well, i have a large one at home myself.

[Jarvicious]

That's your pooch, Tony? He/She's gorgeous! Dozer's ears are only partially cropped so he looks pretty much the same when he's in alert mode. We should set up meet and greet. Dozer's a fan of all things caninie.

[Leah P]

THat is one beautiful Dobe. I wanted a Doberman but the ones at the shelter I was checking out all wanted to rip my face off. Ended up with a Black lab that will guide you to my valuables for a snack..but I love him.

[Kurt V]

Paul, looking like a good start. How about something like this?

[Jarvicious]

I call this photo "Beemer d'Arch"

Don't get me started on the airhead pics. If you have a chance, go check out www.rockerboxer.com and make sure you have a few spare hours to oogle at some airhead goodness. There's actually a pretty good following in the airhead community and a lot of people doing a lot of really cool things, thankfully none of which are exactly what I want to do

This guy is the closest in models that I've found, but he really fucked up the execution I think. Minus the windscreen and chrome would be a good start I do like the open space under the tail.


The color on the tank is close on this one, but I'm going to have to look at some paints in person. Plus, he went with the clubman bars and considering I just picked up a pair of 99 GSXR race forks, how can I not do clipons


I dig this one too, but the "cafe" look is wearing on me a bit. There's so many "standard" items it seems like everyone has to include on a build that it gets old pretty quick. Still a good looking bike though.

[FalxZZR]

I like the 2nd bike in those pics.

Are you still going to be able to ride it like a touring bike like you had been?

[Gravy848]

I agree with Cody. That second bike is very nice, but you can tell alot of time and money went into it.