Author Topic: Bought an R80/7  (Read 1264 times)

Online Dirk_S

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Bought an R80/7
« on: March 27, 2023, 07:27:18 AM »
Funny—my first two motorcycles were late 70s blue bikes. Now I’m back to it with this’n. Bought it cheap enough, but this pup will need a thorough barn find-style deep clean & makeover.






Hmm. While the initial idea obviously was to replace the Goose as my only/everyday bike, I found that doofy idea creeping back—do I really need a car? I went through a full winter driving my car maybe 3 times. And only once did I “need” to, when a friend and I went snowshoeing in the Whites. Hmm, indeed. I’ll refrain from word-vomiting that indecisive internal monologue this time around.
« Last Edit: March 27, 2023, 08:08:03 AM by Dirk_S »
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Online sdcr

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2023, 07:43:26 AM »
I’ve had a half dozen airheads, and while not the most exciting mounts, they can be fun mile munchers. They are also relatively easy and simple to wrench on.

That one looks to be in pretty good, restorable condition. Would this have the cable operated, front brake master cylinder, under the tank?
« Last Edit: March 27, 2023, 07:44:47 AM by sdcr »
John
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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2023, 07:50:59 AM »
Would this have the cable operated, front brake master cylinder, under the tank?
Correct. Once I hopefully get the brakes working, I’ll have to see how well that ATE works with my Sputnik sidecar. From what I read about them, I might be considering a Brembo conversion.
Current: ‘16 Guzzi V7 II Stone, ‘78 BMW R80/7

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Online Kev m

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2023, 08:06:14 AM »
I HATED that cable operated MC.... otherwise, cool ride.
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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2023, 08:06:14 AM »

Offline n3303j

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #4 on: March 27, 2023, 08:07:16 AM »
You're starting to like wrenching, huh.
It can be really satisfying.
You will enjoy the BMW
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Offline Stretch

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #5 on: March 27, 2023, 08:30:35 AM »
Nice find!  :grin:

                 -Stretch
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Offline n3303j

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #6 on: March 27, 2023, 08:56:37 AM »
Pretty much anything you want to know about BMW Airheads is here:

https://bmwmotorcycletech.info/technical-articles-list.htm

Sometimes a bit verbose but worth the effort.

Vech is gone for parts but Max BMW has pretty much filled the gap.



 
...was mine until I discovered Moto Guzzi.
« Last Edit: March 27, 2023, 09:10:25 AM by n3303j »
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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #7 on: March 27, 2023, 09:13:15 AM »
I had a riding buddy many years ago who had the exact same model. Nothing exciting but an excellent workhorse.
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Online Kev m

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #8 on: March 27, 2023, 09:34:06 AM »
We had a couple...

My first was a baby poop colored R80/7 - not this exact one, but its exact twin. I have very few photos and they're all old school meaning prints in a box somewhere. I saw this one at a monthly gathering many years back and thought I'd stumbled upon my old bike:



Jenn's first bike was a former one owner R65 that was a pretty fun:



I sometimes miss both, but I don't miss having a genuinely old bike.

The irony of course in looking at what you're doing goes back to my original reason that I started riding Guzzi smallblocks. I passed on the one opportunity to buy a NEW Airhead in my life, and the Guzzi smallblock represents what I think the Airhead COULD have become if BMW had just stayed with it and modernized it instead of abandoning the platform for the Oilhead. But the Guzzi has the added benefit of a more interesting motor.

So a little over a decade ago I ordered the first new 2013 Stone from FBF and waited patiently for it to arrive. I remain quite happy with it today. So I'll stick with my smallblocks.


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Online sdcr

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #9 on: March 27, 2023, 10:55:24 AM »
I HATED that cable operated MC.... otherwise, cool ride.

Yeah, but Kev, that was a highly sophisticated piece of Teutonic engineering...until it wasn’t.     :grin:
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Offline n3303j

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2023, 10:58:54 AM »
Yup, let's add cable actuation to an hydraulic braking system. What could go wrong there?
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Online Kev m

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #11 on: March 27, 2023, 11:14:55 AM »
Yeah, but Kev, that was a highly sophisticated piece of Teutonic engineering...until it wasn’t.     :grin:

 :laugh: :thumb:
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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #12 on: March 27, 2023, 11:21:10 AM »
Dirk_S - Good for you and CONGRATS! :thumb:  Yes, it obviously needs a little TLC, but than can be accomplished easily... :wink:

Having owned and ridden five (5) airhead Beemers in my time, my experience has been they are good touring / road bikes overall, and for all the reasons you mentioned. 

Good luck with the revival... :bow: :smiley:



« Last Edit: March 27, 2023, 11:22:04 AM by JJ »
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Offline n3303j

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #13 on: March 27, 2023, 11:58:19 AM »
Nice part of the deal is you can pull the transmission without crabbing the frame.
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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #14 on: March 27, 2023, 12:00:07 PM »
Nice part of the deal is you can pull the transmission without crabbing the frame.

One of the top 5 reasons I got it ;)
Current: ‘16 Guzzi V7 II Stone, ‘78 BMW R80/7

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #15 on: March 27, 2023, 12:03:53 PM »
One of the top 5 reasons I got it ;)

Is that something you plan on doing often?!?  :weiner:
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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #16 on: March 27, 2023, 12:43:37 PM »
If I expect it, then it won’t come to me as a surprise, I guess.
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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #17 on: March 27, 2023, 12:48:14 PM »



Cycle Works will sell you the tool for the finned header nuts in a portable format.
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Offline xackley

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #18 on: March 27, 2023, 01:21:39 PM »
My R69 was my favorite ride since 1978. I bought the r75/5 hoping it would have enough charm so I wouldn't put as many miles on the R69.
It was the V7iii that actually filled the void, enough to consider selling the R69, but still cannot part with it.

Yes removing the tranny on those early bmw is easy. Replaced the r75 tranny when it locked up in 2nd gear. The R69 popped the rivets on the clutch plate and it was a pleasure to tilt the engine/transmission and slide the tranny out of the frame. You can center the shaft just by leaving the tranny bolts loose and run the engine.

And use a ton of never seize on header nuts.
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Offline johnwesley

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #19 on: March 27, 2023, 07:25:41 PM »
I had a r100rt and a R75/6. The rt was a neat touring bike that sucked the gas down but would run 80 with ease down the Texas highways. I never really bonded with it. The r75 was a fun bike that I miss at times but the guzzi was really what I was looking for.  It combined everything in seemed to like in both bikes with a little Italian flair. The r75 was my fav out of the two. So m sure you’ll get along with the r80 well, nice find.







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Offline n3303j

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #20 on: March 27, 2023, 08:15:17 PM »
RT100 was a nice spring/fall touring bike. Could never get it cool enough behind the fairing in the summer.
But it was a bit cooler on the legs than the K100RS in traffic with the radiator fan running.
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Offline John A

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #21 on: March 27, 2023, 10:16:31 PM »
Is that something you plan on doing often?!?  :weiner:






 :grin: :grin:
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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #22 on: March 27, 2023, 10:47:49 PM »
Nice score Dirk. Everyone should have at least one airhead in the garage. I have a ‘71 75/5 that keeps getting pushed down the maintenance list by the Italians.

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Offline n3303j

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #23 on: March 28, 2023, 09:02:20 AM »
As an aside; If you buy the header wrench and find that a reasonable amount of force does not loosen the header nut then cut it off. Slit the nut between the fins with a Dremel and spread it to remove it from the head spigot. OFTEN trying too hard tears the threads off the aluminum spigot. The spigot can be welded and re-threaded but it is far cheaper to buy new nuts than have to replace the nuts and repair the spigots.
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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #24 on: March 28, 2023, 09:46:32 AM »
Nice score Dirk. Everyone should have at least one airhead in the garage. I have a ‘71 75/5 that keeps getting pushed down the maintenance list by the Italians.



I had one of the very first 1970 R75/5's, the very first one in Denver. It looked exactly like that one. It was a very good bike, I had it until just under 100,000 miles. Beta testing failures were carbs at new with slides sticking, replaced with new carbs. Stator went out fairly early, later ones were epoxied. Transmission input bearing failed around 50,000 miles. The specified oil was too heavy for very cold temps in the winter which is what I believed caused the failure. The cage holding the balls in place broke in Ohio. I was still able to make it to Denver.
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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #25 on: March 28, 2023, 10:02:58 AM »
Really appreciate all the tips and suggestions so far. I’m aware of at least some of them, but the repeated thoughts will help engrain this stuff in my head as I work to get this 45 year-old bike back into shape.

Hoping to get all the fluids replaced and battery installed this weekend.
« Last Edit: March 28, 2023, 10:09:38 AM by Dirk_S »
Current: ‘16 Guzzi V7 II Stone, ‘78 BMW R80/7

Previous: ‘15 Ural Gear Up, ‘77 Kawasaki KZ400 Special, ‘78 Honda CX500S, ‘80 Honda CX500D, ‘11 Suzuki TU250X

Offline n3303j

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #26 on: March 28, 2023, 10:08:54 AM »
Really appreciate all the tips and suggestions so far. I’m aware of at least some of them, but it the repeated thoughts will help engrain the stuff in my head as I work to get this 45 year-old bike back into shape.

Hoping to get all the fluids replaced and battery installed this weekend.
Do a compression check.
Check rocker clearance.
Watch for exhaust valve recession.
Check for crud in the tank as the CV carbs are sensitive to dirt.
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Online sdcr

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #27 on: March 28, 2023, 10:11:24 AM »
Do a compression check.
Check rocker clearance.
Watch for exhaust valve recession.
Check for crud in the tank as the CV carbs are sensitive to dirt.

I will add, rebuild the carbs. All parts are reasonable, and they are dead simple. Even if you get confused, there are several online tutorial videos.
« Last Edit: March 28, 2023, 05:25:22 PM by sdcr »
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Offline slopokes

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #28 on: March 28, 2023, 05:19:57 PM »
Ron, your rite on cutting the header nuts off— I found the r80 to be the smoothest of the airheads but I’ll take a sp2 anytime..

Offline n3303j

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Re: Bought an R80/7
« Reply #29 on: March 28, 2023, 05:24:31 PM »
Ron, your rite on cutting the header nuts off— I found the r80 to be the smoothest of the airheads but I’ll take a sp2 anytime..
BMW satisfied my mind. Moto Guzzi sang to my heart.
That's why I had no problems sending perfectly reliable BMWs to other homes.
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