BMW R100S back in action

Finally got all parts & pieces together and re-assembled the left top end, spent about 2 hours to put everything together......replaced left piston, exhaust valve and required gaskets....Took it for a quick 5 mile ride...all seems well.....



This weeks fun & games at work.....


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BMW Repairs...Yamaha DT250 Enduro

Finally have acquired all the parts needed to repair the R100S engine. I pulled the engine top end apart and found a bent exhaust valve and beat up piston. A new piston runs about $400.00 with shipping from Germany. Decided not to go that route....ran a couple of Internet ads and received offers from $250.00 down to $75.00. The $75.00 offer was the exact match and arrived in good order. Purchased valve springs, keepers, gaskets and a few other spares from BMW Huckys Spare Parts. The cylinder head went in to a machine shop to have the new valve mated up and new parts installed. Hope to have it back to running order some time next week when time allows...

Watching Craigslist, as usual, and ran across a great deal on a 1978 Yamaha DT250E dual sport bike. Drove out to look at the bike and found it to be in very good condition. Only has 2400 miles and has never been abused. The original tool set appears to never have been removed from its' storage space. Only flaw is some paint loss on the rear fender / sidecover. The fuel tank has a real small ding in it which I never saw until I got it home.

I spent a few dollars washing the 30 + years of grime from it. Bike was owned by a rancher who never rode it or washed it apparently. The bike cleaned up well but still needs some detail cleaning. She runs like new....didn't really need a dirt bike but since it is also streetable I'll definitely get some use from it out here in the boondocks of Montana...

Isle Of Man Sidecar Racing

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BMW R75/5 ....Glacier National Park

Since the R100s sidecar rig was out of commission I pulled the BMW "Hag" out of the trailer. I hadn't ridden her since last November, although I had started her and warmed the engine up on occasion. My wife was running to Billings to see the grand kids so I decided to plan a little road trip. Glacier National Park is fairly close so decided on that route. Checked over the bike and besides airing the tires nothing was really needed. I packed pretty light with camping gear but no cooking gear this time. Ran up MT. Highway 89 and stopped in Choteau MT. for a roll and a cup of coffee.

Next stop was Browning MT. I arrived there just in time for the "Indian Days" parade. Fueled and sat at the gas station for 1/2 hour or so. The tiny little town was jammed to the gills with people. Took me another 1/2 hour to get out of town.

Highway 89 leads to St. Mary and the East entrance to Glacier Park. I made another fuel stop there before heading into the park. Below is one of the many views seen approaching St. Mary.

Burned section of pines made for an interesting view.

View of St. Mary Lake.

Photo ops are at every bend. I stopped at one pull out and a young So. Cal. couple pulled in. I offered to take their photo and in return they took mine....

Further up the "Going To The Sun" highway the road turns to Gravel due to road construction. I laughed to myself as I met a lot of guys on custom Harleys who were likely in tears riding their high dollar shiny machines in the dust & gravel. A couple sections were running water making for a nice slimy "stew" to ride through. I'll bet a lot of toothbrushes were busy the next day...

Below: Approaching Logan Pass and the visitor center. I was into making some time so passed on pulling into the parking lot which was seething with Harley Davidsons.

Over Logan Pass and you can see the switchback highway descending to the west.

Had to showcase Rex's "BMW DOG" Sticker.

Water Falls everywhere this time of year.

Made it to Missoula Mt. by 7:00 pm. Decided to hit the local KOA and got the last tent site. Met three guys from New Jersey who were returning from Alaska. The Harley / Trailer Rig also made the trip. We sat up til way too late drinking & talking...

Another camping neighbor on a 650 single BMW....hauling this trailer load of gear and his Grand son...

Had a quick breakfast at the KOA...saw one of the New Jersey guys at breakfast...he was green around the gills and sort of Zombie like.....thanks to Jim Beam? I packed up and hit the road by 8:00. Left Missoula and headed to Lincoln MT. Rogers Pass sports the sign below...BRRRRRRR.

Leaving Lincoln I was on the home stretch. Still was pretty early so decided to cut over on Highway 287 to Wolf Creek and follow the Missouri River back to Great Falls. The scenery was great and the old BMW never missed a beat so far.

Staying off of the Interstate brings you along the "River Road" and a lot more scenic views.

Made it to Belt MT. only 25 miles from home but was really tired. Pulled into a small city park in Belt and took a quick nap before running the final few miles....a great uneventful trip.

I've now pulled the R100S engine top end apart and found a damaged piston and bent valve. Am working on finding all the parts needed. A new piston is nearly $400.00! Found a (hopefully) good used one for $75.00. I'll get to work on parts acquisition and hopefully have the sidecar back on the road in a couple of weeks.

BMW R100S/6 Maiden Voyage ?

We had planned a sidecar / camping trip for the 4th of July weekend. Saturday came in with rain and winds so decided to pull out on Sunday, ride over the Little Belt Mountains and end up over near Helena MT. to camp for the night. Changed out the rear tire Saturday night and changed all the gear lubes. Sunday morning we packed our gear and I re-torqued the heads and adjusted all valves. Finally good to go around 9:00 AM.

PACKED AND READY FOR THE ROAD

The morning was beautiful and the ride was nice. Very green with all the rain we've been having lately.

Neihart Montana was a mining area for many years. Lots of old derelict mine sites.

We stopped in Neihart to visit the local tavern for a burger. We worked here 7 or 8 years ago so went to visit the local tavern / motel / grill owner.

Dropping down the mountain towards White Sulpher Springs.

About 30 miles from Neihart the bike was running great and all of a sudden the left cylinder stopped firing...thought I ran out a fuel but that wasn't possible...maybe an ignition problem?

Pulled the left spark plug and saw the exhaust valve looking a little too far open through the spark plug hole...pulled the valve cover and ....shit! Exhaust valve in two pieces.

Immediately a car stopped to check on us and they gave Darian a ride back to Neihart and the nearest land line phone...no cell service up here. She called on AAA for rescue and waited at the bar...I made myself at home for the long wait.

I always carry a few old Airmails so at least had something to read. Good thing about a sidecar was that I had a comfortable seat to recline in. So here I sat for three hours and change...

Pretty place to be stranded. Must have been at least 50 motorcycle drive by...and at least four times that many vehicles....not one person stopped.....

My neighbor.....maybe he was the last guy to break down here....

Started getting bored and took a lot of photos of nothing....

Finally after 3 1/2 hours my wife returns with our rescue vehicle...so much for the camping trip...Over 30 years of riding and this was the first time I was stuck and unable to repair a bike on the road shoulder....

Looks like the hack tug will be down for a while...I'm planning a solo trip next weekend so I'll get the old /5 out and ready to go....