r/Airheads 2h ago

Help carb tuning my ‘80 R65?! Runs like a fat cow

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10 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

New to the airhead family, it’s my first time with a boxer and I’m chasing my own tail trying to adjust the carbs on my 01/1980 R65 with the flat-top Bing carbs…

- All o-rings and membranes have been renewed

- valve clearance done

- no air leaks anywhere

- Electronic ignition installed and timing is normal

Yet when connecting my vacuum gauge to try to synchronize the carbs, changing the butterfly stop-screw position on either carb barely changes anything! My idle rpm stays stuck at 750, and only goes up if I make the mixture richer… but then when blipping the throttle it hangs around 2k RPM and closing butterfly doesn’t bring it down, only by leaning mixture! WTF?

Also when revving, as seen in the video it “hangs” instead of going down immediately (don’t mind the throttle physical delay, I slackened the cables to make sure they didn’t open the butterfly). It’s normally a sign of a lean mixture but the plugs are actually slightly sooty??

Can anyone tell me what the hell is going on here?? Any help would be appreciated, thanks!!


r/Airheads 1d ago

New hubs for the 91 classic

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19 Upvotes

Custom rear hub for a 4 bolt monolever rear drive. Also a R100R front hub for spoked front wheel on a monolever. Plan is to swap to a 19 inch front and 17 inch rear wheel for more 50/50 tire options.


r/Airheads 1d ago

1977 R100/7 - Cork, Ireland

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48 Upvotes

Blood Bike South Con Cagney fundraiser 30-8-2026. Longest spin for a while, bike didn't miss a beat.


r/Airheads 2d ago

My new to me 1975 R60/6.

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90 Upvotes

r/Airheads 2d ago

I've never noticed this squeeking sound

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7 Upvotes

Does anybody know what this squeeking/singing sound of my R80 is? I started to hear it at around 3500-4000 RPM while driving, so i stopped and tried to locate the sound.

It is in the front area of the engine... I've disassembled, cleaned it and renewed all gaskets and shaft seals. But I've never noticed this sound before.. I think it is the generator or the intake sound, but it IDK... It starts and runs smooth, the timing is at 6° and the carbs are matched. I've already checked the exhaust, but it is tight.
Maybe it is just normal and I am just paranoid.
I should mention, that I removed the EGR and closed the holes with short bolts from an oil-pan.

Hope someone can help, thanks in advance!


r/Airheads 4d ago

R60/5 Battery Cover Stickers

5 Upvotes

The battery covers on my R60/5 must be replacements as they are completely chrome, without the stripes. I’m contemplating painting the stripes in, but have seen the stickers are available.. questions is would these have been stickers originally or paint?
The stickers seem hard to find in Europe and expensive so I’m open to suggestion.. The black electrical tape in my tool box is looking like a plausible option!!


r/Airheads 5d ago

/5 Parts Needed

2 Upvotes

A headlight bucket that's not smashed .

Rusty / filthy O.K. .

Los Angeles .

I'd rather an original than a repop .

TIA,

-Nate


r/Airheads 7d ago

Evening cruise

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186 Upvotes

r/Airheads 9d ago

BMW R80RT and the rise of the modern touring motorcycle

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26 Upvotes

I recently encountered and photographed this burgundy BMW R80RT, which sent me down a rather deep rabbit hole into the history of BMW’s airheads and the development of the RT line.

I ended up making a thoroughly researched video exploring the R80RT’s place in motorcycle history: the boxer engine, shaft drive, full touring fairing, BMW’s modular Baukastenprinzip and the earlier R100RS and R100RT that established the basic formula.

This isn’t a conventional road test or buyer’s guide; it is more of a short documentary about the bike’s engineering, design and historical context.

https://youtu.be/AtmW-VMGnJQ

I suspect several people here know these motorcycles much better than I do, so I’d genuinely welcome corrections, additional details and experiences from R80RT or R100RT owners. What do you think the RT line contributed most to modern motorcycle touring?


r/Airheads 13d ago

Petcock valve install video?

5 Upvotes

Has anyone seen a YouTube or other video demonstrating how to correctly attach Karcoma petcock valves to the gas tank? (I have a 1976 R 75/6) I just purchased two new ones from EME, along with new in-tank filters. I have two concerns:

  1. I don't know if the filters go before or after the packing gasket (the filers have the metal lip)
  2. With the reverse threads, the valves tighten like a turnbuckle and I don't know how to make sure they are properly aligned and not crooked after the connecting nut (the "schnellanschlussmutter") is fully cranked tight to prevent leaking.

I have found a few videos demonstrating how to rebuild these valves, and previous threads in r/Airheads where various issues are discussed, as well as snowbum's monograph, but have not found instructions on the actual attachment process other than "make sure she's good and tight."


r/Airheads 14d ago

Got lost on the way to Starbucks

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70 Upvotes

LOL


r/Airheads 14d ago

Monday Evening Cruise

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36 Upvotes

1992 R100R

35,000 miles, still going strong.


r/Airheads 15d ago

Enduralast 4 on '83 R80g/s

5 Upvotes

Dear all, I am on the process of installing an EDL4. However, I have no idea where to install the huge RR ! Enduralast says on the bracket - which I do not have or on the left side under the cover (but I ride without the cover, which doesn’t look great)—or behind the battery, but it would be a lot of work to attach it there.

So I think I’ll have to make a mounting bracket myself. Unfortunately, I don’t have any metalworking tools. Mounting it to the frame… best it without welding… but how? Does anyone make 3D-printed clamps or brackets for the tube that I could use to mount a frame to? 

I need something like:


r/Airheads 17d ago

T-Shirt Design

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82 Upvotes

Here is a T-Shirt design I came up with.


r/Airheads 17d ago

Liste fabricants vetements de moto ancien

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11 Upvotes

r/Airheads 17d ago

Finished the engine of the R100Rs front brake last issue

1 Upvotes

Hi guys, i fisnihed restoring my R100RS from 1989, last issue is the front brake, magura 13mm with horizontal banjo bolt connection. It was completely seized in the bore. I cleaned it, it makes pressure but still leaks at the hand lever. Before i ditch it and get a new cylinder i wanted to try thie 13mm replica piston. It seems this Magura piston also has been used in 50cc scooters and mopeds:

https://www.zweiradteile.net/mopedteile/moped-bremstechnik/bremsen/bremszylinder/54052/reparatursatz-bremszylinder-kolben-13mm-fuer-magura-bremspumpe-hercules-zuendapp

this looks like the one i disassembled just different metal. Does this fit?

Br and thanks


r/Airheads 19d ago

Took a little ride out to a lake near me.

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99 Upvotes

Always a joy taking these old bikes off the beaten path, even on pretty loose dirt and some single track did fantastic. The long travel of the airheads suspension takes it a lot further than people would think. Pair that with the custom setup wilbers rear shock the ride is fantastic.


r/Airheads 20d ago

On which side does the spacer go?

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6 Upvotes

I took my front wheel off to replace the tire. Now I’m having difficulty getting it back on. Can someone tell me which side the spacer is supposed to go (I forgot to take a picture before I took of the wheel 😔). Microfiche no help.


r/Airheads 22d ago

Thoughts on the R60/6?

8 Upvotes

While there are a plethora of R75-100s available on any given Sunday around marketplace I find myself drawn to the smaller displacement of the 60. What are your thoughts? I’m not a large person. I weigh 160 (72kg). My favorite bike historically has been a Yamaha XS650. I typically ride around town or on state highways where the average speed limit is 55 mph.
Should I hold out for my dream stock R60/6 in black or bump up to the R75/6?


r/Airheads 26d ago

Benzin E5

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0 Upvotes

r/Airheads 29d ago

Turn the key on, get a spark

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31 Upvotes

The spark plug appears to get a weak pulse of electricity when I turn just turn on the 1982 RT100. In my case the motorcycle didn’t come with a key so I bypassed the switch.


r/Airheads 29d ago

No start isue sl90

5 Upvotes

So I have a 1969 sl90 i bought for a good deal, I know not ct 90 but same engine so I thought you guys might be able to help. I did a top end refresh and am getting about 100 psi compression cold I know that is low im hoping it just needs to run in with the new rings or else ill have to get the valves done or a new head gasket possibly. So I have compression or at least enough in my mind to pop over( I have the carb off and am attempting to get it to pop by squirting starter fluid into the intake). I have set the valves and the points gap and the ignition timing statically ( new points from common motor) so I dont believe any of those things are my isue, I get strong looking blue spark with the spark plug outside of the engine when the condensor is bypassed but not with the condensor installed ( brand new condensor from common motor that i tested with a multimeter and i believe is is good working order ) wich is a problem I've never run into on my other projects. Im wondering if it's a bad coil the coil i have on there came with the bike and appears not to be original because it does not align with both holes on the mounting bracket. Im stumped as to what my next move here should be.

Another note is when installing the cylinder onto the crank case I had to make an extra thick base gasket because the bottom of the cylinder sleeve was making contact with I believe the crank and not alowing the engine to turn over when the head was fully torqued down. It turns freely now with the thick gasket I made so I dont believe this is related to my no start problem but I figured I'd throw it in for good measure.

TlDR I have a non running honda sl90 with 100 psi compression after new piston and cylinder and I have to bypass the new condensor to get spark when testing outside the engine


r/Airheads 29d ago

Considering a R100 GS PD

8 Upvotes

Considering buying a BMW R100GS Paris-Dakar 1989 (white and red).
It has done It has done about 46,000 miles (74,000 km).

Looks to be in really good condition with few owners (3), and had the engine checked at 37,000 miles.
New clutch, exhaust system, speedometer and rubber parts(?).

Price: About €7200/$8400) in Sweden.

Does this sound like a fair price?
Anything specific I should check before buying?


r/Airheads Aug 02 '26

Asymmetrical valve clatter

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15 Upvotes

I know these are tappy bikes and that’s just sorta the way that it is, but there is noticeably more resonance / sound from the right cylinder as compared to the left. Nothing crazy and at idle and stuff ir sounds like it should and runs very well but I am wondering if this is normal for these bikes. video was taken after 15 minutes of spirited riding to warm it up, and I reset the clearances and the axial end play (pillow blocks? the haynes manual called em) this morning so they’re in spec.

I am probably crazy but i just was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or advice lol. I know iphone videos aren’t exactly pristine diagnostic tools but I’ve only had this bike for a month or so and I am still getting a feel for the sound of the engine and feel of the machine, if that makes sense.


r/Airheads Aug 02 '26

Airhead parts

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17 Upvotes

Hi guys,

I have an 1984 r45n, the 27 hp one.

I’ve been riding it for a while and now I want to take some good care of it as it requires some work.

Nothing too serios, mostly, throttle cables,new brakes and a new key. Small touches here and there.

I found it very hard to source parts in Europe as there are very fiu suppliers of new parts, I tried siebenrock with various success as they don’t reply to my emails when I ask for part recomandation.

Do you know any other good suppliers in eu?