1988 BMW R100 PD

The last ride this bike did was from Calgary to California, at which point it sat unmoved for ten years. When the owner died, one of his children inherited the bike and happened to mention to me at dinner that they'd love to get it running so — having built a similar bike before — I volunteered.

When it got to me, not only did it not run, it didn't move. The front wheel was totally seized in the caliper to the point where when I took the axle out it just hung there. Anyway it is a testament to BMW's incredible engineering that with a new battery it fired right up — albeit sounding a little poorly. From there it was mostly standard servicing:

• New air and oil filters.
• Engine, transmission and final drive oil change.
• Complete strip and rebuild of both carburetors with all o-rings replaced.
• New front and rear tires (Continental TKC 80 Twin Duro's).
• Full front brake caliper rebuild (all new seals and new pads).
• Brake line replaced with Venhill braided steel.
• Complete strip and clean of master cylinder including new piston and seals.
• Throttle cable clean, lube and replacement.
• Replaced brake switch on wiring harness.
• Drained fuel tank and replaced cap gasket, petcocks and vent hose.
• New fuel lines and in-line filters.
• New fork oil.
• Clutch and throttle cable free-play adjustment.
• Adjusted the valve clearances (and replaced cover gaskets).

It is fun to ride, and just like any cared for classic airhead, it feels like you could hop on it, ride halfway around the world, and the bike wouldn't miss a beat. I will miss having it around. It'd be a great base for a full restoration or awesome custom touring bike.