From: grw@HQ.Ileaf.COM (Gary Wasserman)
Subject: R100GS Starter/Back From Portland/R65 Info
Reply-To: grw@HQ.Ileaf.COM (Gary Wasserman)
Organization: Interleaf, Inc.
Date: Tue, 1 Sep 92 19:35:11 GMT



I can't post from trn for some reason no one at my site has offered an
explanation for.  But I refuse to go back to rn.  I just can't plow
through r.m as effectively.  Sigh.  I am therefore forced to respond
to whatever I can remember by manually running Pnews.  How crude.

R100GS Starter Problems
-----------------------
Unless you've got an 88 your bike is probably still under warranty.
Why not go into the local dealer and get the darn thing fixed for
free?  Hint: Starters are not supposed to do that...

R65 Questions
-------------
I think my 79 R65 was the most fun to ride of the three BMW's I've
had.  Not the fastest nor the best on a long ride but definitely the
most fun.  It was much lighter than either the K100RT or the R100GS
and it flicked through turns with ease.  I put progressive fork
springs and new Metzlers on it and it handled very well.  I think 30"
is high for the seat.  My recollection is that the seat was very low
compared to the K100RT/R100GS.  Maybe the later versions had higher
seats?

Electronic ignition started in 1980 (I think) for the R65.  I guess
that's an advantage.  No points to replace.  Maybe more power?  I
don't know.  Drawbacks: Vibration at some RPMs was of sufficient
amplitude to be uncomfortable.  Luftmeister has a kit of rubber
insulated washers which when inserted between the engine and frame
supposedly lower the amplitude of the transmitted vibration.  I never
put them in.  Not a heck of a lot of power: Bike was fast up to about
60mph and then would run out of breath.  For commuting and short local
trips this was not a problem.

BACK FROM PORTLAND
------------------

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Coates (Keeper of
the Incredibly Clean Honda 750z [KoTICH750z]), Mr. Golding, Mr. Wise,
and especially Mr. La Broad for their unmatched hospitality and
companionship during my latest visit to the Greater Portland Area.

Mr. Wise's recently acquired Moto Guzzi was an unexpected treat.  If
anyone can inform Mr. Wise as to appropriate performance mods for his
new bike he'd be grateful.  I believe he's got an 850 T3.  This is not
to imply that he had any trouble keeping up.  Not at all.

Mr. La Broad's GB500 was as clean as the day he bought it.  The way he
led the ride it makes you wonder what the rest of us needed all those
extraneous moving parts in our bikes for.  Balance, probably.

Mr. Golding's prized R100 was in fine form (that is to say it had been
washed since my last visit in February).  He consented to bring up the
rear on our ride (in case I fell too far back he could guide me home).

Mr. Coates' latest mount, a large Honda Magna, looked like it had just
rolled out of the showroom.  How he finds used bikes as clean as that
Magna is beyond me.  The Honda he lent me must be stored in nitrogen.
Anyone know if the oxygen content of the atomosphere in Portland is
below average?  Thanks again for the ride, Mr. Coates!!

Of course the real purpose of my visit was to give the Denizens of the
GPNW an excuse to get together and take the long way to the Road
House.  Hopefully no one from Interleaf will read this and I'll be
able to keep doing this.

-Gary

PS - Actually the real reason for the trip is to see other bikes with
DoD License Frames.  Since the frames didn't work with MA plates I 
*never* get to see any frames riding around here.

-- 
Gary Wasserman      "A completely irrational attraction to BMW bikes"
Interleaf, Inc.      Prospect Place, 9 Hillside Ave, Waltham, MA 02154
grw@ileaf.com        617-290-4990x3423 FAX 617-290-4970       DoD#0216
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles