BMW R80 restoration

[Code no 10]

Hi Ancientmariner,

Does your boxer engine makes a manly mumble sound?

I had a chance to visit a car show, and a Subie WRX sounded absolutely fantastic, well....at least to a nerd like me.

 

[tigersteve]

Great project to watch coming together!

 

[Ancientmariner]

Hi Ancientmariner,

Does your boxer engine makes a manly mumble sound?

I had a chance to visit a car show, and a Subie WRX sounded absolutely fantastic, well....at least to a nerd like me.

It makes no noise at all currently and won't for some time as there are boxes of components everywhere.

For nosie I favour the German V8s

 

[Ancientmariner]

Great project to watch coming together!

Slowly Steve, shame the assembly lube took so long to arrive.

 

[Ancientmariner]

So unfortunately I do not have an up to date photo but the rods are in, crowns on and barrels and heads on as well though not tightened. Honed the cylinders and fitted new piston rings. Hoping when I return to make some substantial progress and maybe get it running even if its just on the bench. As always spares for something this age are a pain, especially when stuff that should fit doesn't.

 

[Ancientmariner]

So heads and rocker covers on finally. Need a new front end bearing and then get the front end on in the next week hopefully.

 

[Mark1]

My dad had a bmw, the sidecar was the first mode of transport i remember being carted around in, with my mum ,younger brother and the dog.lol
Sidecar something similar to this.

 

[JR]

Just had a read through James, looked a massive task to undertake.
You certainly have the skill , most impressive work .

 

[Ancientmariner]

Just had a read through James, looked a massive task to undertake.
You certainly have the skill , most impressive work .

It's a complete bodge job John, will probably never work again but at least it will look nice

 

[scottie3158]

james,
Just had a catch up. Your doing a great job, but I must say I'm jealous of your garage.

 

[adt70hk]

James coming on very nicely.

Out if interest do you have to tell the DVLA about what bodywork there is and the tank changing colour?

ATB.

Andrew

 

[Ancientmariner]

james,
Just had a catch up. Your doing a great job, but I must say I'm jealous of your garage.

Thanks, it's taken years, it is VERY small but space is well utilised

 

[Ancientmariner]

James coming on very nicely.

Out if interest do you have to tell the DVLA about what bodywork there is and the tank changing colour?

ATB.

Andrew

DVLA will need to be, as frame has been heavily modified as well, tank colour will change so though a lot of it is the same it will be a different bike basically

 

[Ancientmariner]

My dad had a bmw, the sidecar was the first mode of transport i remember being carted around in, with my mum ,younger brother and the dog.lol
Sidecar something similar to this.View attachment 479304

Love the side car!!

 

[Ancientmariner]

Looking forward to having something more upright to ride as all my other bikes are sports bikes

 

[Ancientmariner]

Front end bearing heated and on and likewise with front cover. Though just discovered stainless hex bolts don't fit which is annoying.

 

[Ancientmariner]

So engine is pretty much done, just rebuilding carbs, got spark plugs to go in once delivered and then got to fit clutch and also strip and rebuild the gearbox.

Started stripping the forks as well today, going to repaint them and then rebuild them. Also got to get the wheels powder coated once I have got the bearings out.

 

[Waspie]

Just had an enjoyable period reading all of this rebuild. Brought a few memories back. I could almost smell the old engine oil at one point. Nice to see it coming to fruition James. Most excellent thread.

 

[Ancientmariner]

Just had an enjoyable period reading all of this rebuild. Brought a few memories back. I could almost smell the old engine oil at one point. Nice to see it coming to fruition James. Most excellent thread.

Thanks, glad to see it provides enjoyment.
As far as "fruition" goes I've possibly been a bit over optimistic there, likely a few years yet. Though I think I am going to bench test the engine as it is just to see if it runs rather that bolt it in and find it doesn't.

I think the wheels being redone will be a major milestone personally.

Have you rebuilt any of these? I'm always after advice from anyone who has.....

 

[Ancientmariner]

After an annoying period getting spares and finding they are wrong I decided to make a start on something anyway.
Stripped one of the suspension struts today.
Some rust on the stainless section I was pleased came away with use of 800, 1000, 1200 and then 1500 emery cloth and hasn't pitted. £152 saved there which was a big relief (also the difference between the project carrying on and not carrying on).

Internally all good. Top seal destroyed as expected so will need new ones of those, fork oil and that's it. Dust seals good after a clean.

Going to sand, spray and clear coat the forks before reassembly and make them look a little more snazzy.
Also interestingly there's a top adjustment feature which does no adjusting as the thread doesn't locate into anything. Wonder if they have been bodged at some point?

Nice to have done something on a day I lacked motivation!