Looking for a R100S - I think... Please Advise

[Deleted User 287]

I think $2000 for the R100R would be a bargain, if it is truly in daily runner status.

One-way last minute airline tickets can be expensive.
Train? Or worse yet - bus? (take music and a book)

[khittner1]

The original equipment Paralever driveshafts/U-joints are reputed to have a limited lifespan. This one is well beyond the mileage that they seem to fail at (35-50K miles?), so maybe later replacement parts are a long-term fix---someone with more real R100R/R100GS Paralever experience than I (>0) should advise on this point. They're supposed to handle nicely, the tubeless cross-spoke wheels are nice, and an R is certainly well-arranged with the back rack and bags to serve as a utilitarian travel tool. Funky styling, but at least it's not one of the awful purple or teal and silver-framed ones with the "Boxer" decals on the tank. If it's really $2K, that seems like a pretty good price.

[chasbmw]

PTA lever problems seem to be confined to the GSs as the longer suspension travel on the GS combined with overloading and off/rough road use seems to result in problems.

At 120k miles 8 would have expected a new clutch and would have hped to see a top end overhaul to include new exhaust valves and guides. Pistons might be showing some wear at that mileage.

Advantages of the late models include better suspension and brakes......downsides might include some depreciation as these bikes are some way away from achieving Classic status.

[Jean]

1993 R100R: Really too new for me to comment on with any experience, but consider that it has electronic ignition system that you probably cannot do any work on if it goes snakey.
Milage is OK for this sort of bike tho.

[Souljer]

Hi,

Okay the reply is:
Two prior owners. Current owner has only put on a few thousand miles.

I have the original manual though, that shows steady BMW maintenance throughout 80k miles. There's a gap after that, then I have receipts for the new rear tire and shock, the battery and the starter. Its a great bike. I'm just looking for a cruiser.

So was there any major service in that first 80K? I don't know. I asked, we'll see what he says.
I told you guys it's not $2000, that's just a ballpark I vaguely remember. With all the bikes, years, and prices it's a bit of an avalanche of numbers. He's asking $2300.

[Deleted User 287]

$2300 is reasonable, IMO.
Unless that is priced due to some potential fault on the horizon.

[Major Softie]

If it doesn't smoke and has good compression, I'd totally jump on it for $2300.

Even if it needed a valve job and rings, $2000 wouldn't be a bad price if it was currently running alright.

[Souljer]

Seller now tells me speedometer cable is suddenly jumping around this week on the R100R. He looked on line and a new one is about $100.

Is that an easy fix like on an older machine or is this complicated because it's a '90s bike?

By the way, where do I find the compression numbers for this R100R engine, or does somebody here know? Seller says it runs smooth, no smoke. Still that's something fairly non-invasive I could do while looking it over, right?

Thanks.

[Kurt in S.A.]

The R100R was an 8.5:1 compression ratio engine. I've used a rule of thumb that takes the 8.5 adds 1 and multiplies by 14.7 to get a reasonable valve for a compression number.

Kurt in S.A.

[Major Softie]

The R100R was an 8.5:1 compression ratio engine. I've used a rule of thumb that takes the 8.5 adds 1 and multiplies by 14.7 to get a reasonable valve for a compression number.

Kurt in S.A.

That works out for very mild cams, but for longer duration cams (like motorcycles tend to have), the intake valve isn't closed yet at BDC, and that will lower measured compression at cranking speeds. Snobum says the R80 intake doesn't close until 44 degrees ABDC, so that is going to have an impact.

Kurt's formula works out to 139 lbs. I would think 120 - 125 is more reasonable.