• Welcome to the Two Wheeled Texans community! Feel free to hang out and lurk as long as you like. However, we would like to encourage you to register so that you can join the community and use the numerous features on the site. After registering, don't forget to post up an introduction!

Restoring my first touring bike, BMW R1100RT

Joined
Aug 25, 2017
Messages
2,262
Reaction score
1,859
Location
Arlington
First Name
Dave
Last Name
Loggins
Just got my old bike yesterday. It was my first touring bike and I sold it back in 2005 to a friend.

He rode it until about 2015 and it's been sitting since then. It needs quite a bit of work. It doesn't run, neither front of rear brakes work, and the wind blew it over and broke the right mirror and caused some right side damage.

I'm looking forward to getting her back to her former glory.

Here's the starting point as of last night...
433860f806590b699d2b0cd4760bb4d4.jpg
3b38ac864bacf70836027cd6fd3cca18.jpg
adbf60a8b90b30a9b0b15905d0a289e4.jpg
 
Lot's of tear down, diagnosis and parts ordering today.

Ordered fuel pump, gauge, filter and sending units from ebay.

Also ordered cylinder head guards and replacement mirror for the cracked one.

Bled rear brakes successfully and got a good pedal. Front brakes need some help. Need a new master cylinder. Could try a rebuild but the cylinder wall is scored and corroded and I think it will fail quickly.

Got a battery installed and fabricated a post relocation bracket to make it work.

Bike turns over, so at least there is that.

Parts on order should start coming next week.
eea9027af4120c227d3686c7a7917c6a.jpg
da36d4dc6d406c398220e79f4c6ec9f4.jpg
fe86f8edd972ee40977f336356099e99.jpg
080b89232a83a46526dcd463a28eb2e1.jpg
5bfb3f55f890c62bc9c32b675297fefb.jpg
5a82647a215c94ce7c2369a168baa086.jpg
 
I had a 96, still miss it

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk
 
Put in the ebay fuel pump and fuel sending unit. Fabricated a battery mount to convert top post to side post to use a battery I had.

Put some fuel in and.....

She runs. Old girl still purrs pretty nicely.
6acb857649f35b283717b353504010c3.jpg
5336e8ea045fd8d7844b3b2c8ae3bbfb.jpg

897c146e79266419992e3fa389e66e0d.jpg
 
10/1

Just got my old bike yesterday. It was my first touring bike and I sold it back in 2005 to a friend.

He rode it until about 2015 and it's been sitting since then. It needs quite a bit of work. It doesn't run, neither front of rear brakes work, and the wind blew it over and broke the right mirror and caused some right side damage.
10/3

Bike turns over, so at least there is that.

Parts on order should start coming next week.
10/10

Put in the ebay fuel pump and fuel sending unit. Fabricated a battery mount to convert top post to side post to use a battery I had.

Put some fuel in and.....

She runs. Old girl still purrs pretty nicely.
Dang good timeline in my book. :thumb:
I bet it won't be long before long before you & old girl are enjoying the road again.
 
Ordered a master cylinder rebuild kit and a 20mm hone to see.if I can salvage and rebuild the master cylinder.

Rebuild seems to have worked, I have front brake pressure now. Still need to bleed through the ABS pump but I'm getting there.

Also..hoping the rebuild is a permanent fix. Apparently BMW sued Magura over this brake master cylinder as the aluminum cylinder would pit and cause it to leak past the piston. As such, there aren't many used options out there and if you get one, it may still be a problem.

My hope is it's just a situation of people not flushing the brakes and letting corrosion set in. I got the cylinder nice and shiny with the hone and it's holding pressure, so we'll see.
 
Last edited:
Master cylinder rebuilt successfully. Hone worked to save the old cylinder and we have pressure.

Unfortunately, brake hoses can't hold the pressure do to age / dry rot. I have busted 2 hoses now and don't trust any of them so all new hoses on order.

I decided to clean her up at least. She's still got some shine.
3f4621b51f34aa2ab3d6cfb994848f3f.jpg
eb2885857ea5b3c94f383bf1aa2543ec.jpg
 
Be careful on the front lines. IIRC they are a a tight fit between the caliper and tee at top of forks. I don't specifically remember the issue, but I remember wanting more line or more space.

I want to say used Spiegler (SIC?) brake lines
 
Be careful on the front lines. IIRC they are a a tight fit between the caliper and tee at top of forks. I don't specifically remember the issue, but I remember wanting more line or more space.

I want to say used Spiegler (SIC?) brake lines
Thx for the tip.
 
About done. New stainless brake lines, new tires, oil change,, transmission oil change,, final drive oil change,, all fluids flushed and changed,, replaced the broken mirror and a bit of cleaning...

I think I'll take her out on the street tomorrow and see if she's back.

9805d3fcc309d18c597a8d70ba5f620a.jpg
02872391d4d0369c52383456d6cf1dff.jpg
f7afcc5c5952aec843725ea83fc25cfb.jpg
962e254cf8375a2c97647c12006163cf.jpg
a7cdf3fd8872a42f52e24e866f2d25c6.jpg
7dcca2450845ee7d19367d7750079f6b.jpg
 
Very Nice Job! What a difference a month makes.....thats putting in some elbow grease. Even more cool it was Your old bike.
 
Did a test ride and got her inspected today. Passed with flying colors.

The test ride was about 10 miles of highway and then some twisty roads just to make sure everything was good. I have a few more little things to fix but she's road worthy at this point.

Now I just have to decide what to do with her.

I don't need another bike....but I hate to just sell her off. Might just hang on to her until spring or until I find someone who will appreciate her.
 
Unfortunately, brake hoses can't hold the pressure do to age / dry rot. I have busted 2 hoses now and don't trust any of them so all new hoses on order.
The Motor(home)rad is the only vehicle I have ever owned that had brake line replacement as scheduled maintenance. I suppose it is good practice to keep up with soft goods but other manufacturers just schedule inspections and replace as needed.

Now I just have to decide what to do with her.
Hang onto it through the winter at least. It is great to have a fully-faired bike to ride in the cold.
 
Pretty much finished.

All new stainless brake lines installed and a new clutch sensor switch.

Cleaned it up a bit and installed the bags.

She rides pretty nice for a 23 year old bike.

Glad to have gotten a chance to get her going again.
ea484d8a6e632e8f402baa7d51190f04.jpg
b52e25d60718c3253007c9051f36f0bf.jpg
993b83548fb2885bd0f6e7b1f50e0e1a.jpg
1980babdbba433dc6984253971b1ded5.jpg
 
I am out of room in the garage decided to sell her. Hopefully I can find her a good home where someone will ride her.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top