Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another project. This time, I got my hands on a classic – a 1981 BMW R100RT. Yeah, you heard that right, a real vintage beauty. I’ve been itching to get into the world of classic bikes, and this one just fell into my lap. Or, well, my garage.
So, I found this lady selling it – she said it had been sitting in her heated garage for a while, clocking in at about 20,000 miles. She was asking for $4,600, which seemed pretty fair considering the condition and the fact that it’s a BMW. I did some digging around, comparing prices online, and browsing through inventories of both dealers and private sellers to make sure I wasn’t getting ripped off.
Getting Started
First thing I did was give the bike a good once-over. I mean, it looked good from the pictures, but you never really know until you see it in person, right? Checked the engine, the frame, the usual stuff. It’s an old bike, so I expected some wear and tear. The engine looked decent – it’s a 979.0 ccm beast, which is about 59.74 cubic inches for those who prefer that. Pretty impressive for a bike from ’81.
Diving In
Next, I started taking things apart. I wanted to see what I was really working with. I removed the fairings, took off the seat, and just started digging into the guts of the machine. It’s amazing how different these older bikes are compared to the new stuff. Everything is so mechanical and raw. You can really see how it all works together. I spent a good few hours just getting familiar with all the parts and how they connected.
Cleaning Up
Once I had a good understanding of the bike’s layout, I began the cleaning process. Man, there was a lot of grime built up from years of sitting around. I scrubbed every part I could get my hands on. I used a bunch of different cleaners, degreasers, and polishes to get everything shining like new. It was a lot of elbow grease, but totally worth it. Seeing the bike slowly transform from a dusty old thing to a gleaming classic was super satisfying.
The Real Work
After the cleaning, I started on the actual mechanical work. I changed the oil, replaced the spark plugs, and checked the brakes. I also had to adjust the valves, which was a bit tricky, but I managed to figure it out. I found a couple of parts that needed replacing, like the air filter and some of the hoses, so I ordered those online. It took a few days for them to arrive, but that gave me time to work on other things.
Putting It Back Together
Once the new parts arrived, I got to work putting everything back together. This was probably the most rewarding part of the whole project. Seeing all the clean, shiny parts come together and form a complete bike was awesome. It was like building a giant, complicated puzzle. I double-checked every bolt and connection to make sure everything was tight and secure.
The Moment of Truth
Finally, the moment of truth arrived – time to start her up. I turned the key, hit the starter, and the engine roared to life. It was music to my ears. I let it idle for a few minutes, listening for any weird noises or issues. Everything sounded good, so I took it for a short spin around the block.
Man, riding that bike was an experience. It felt so different from modern bikes – so raw and powerful. I could feel every vibration of the engine, and the handling was unlike anything I’d ridden before. It was like stepping back in time. These models appear reasonably often here for a reasonable price or mileage levels, and I really caught a great one this time, I think.
So, that’s my journey with the 1981 BMW R100RT so far. It’s been a ton of work, but totally worth it. I’ve learned so much about classic bikes and mechanics in general. I’m planning on doing some more work on it in the future, maybe some custom stuff, but for now, I’m just enjoying riding it around and showing it off.
If any of you are thinking about getting into classic bikes, I say go for it. It’s a rewarding experience, and you’ll end up with something truly unique. Just be prepared to get your hands dirty! Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this little story. Until next time, keep the rubber side down!
