Hey guys, it’s been a while! Today I want to talk about my recent tinkering with a 1995 BMW R1100GS. Yeah, an oldie but a goodie. I’ve always been a fan of these sturdy machines, and I finally got my hands on one with about 45,000 miles on the clock.
First things first, I gave it a good once-over. I mean, you gotta check the basics, right? I looked for any signs of it being dumped hard, especially off-road. A few scratches are okay, but big dents or cracks are a no-go. I paid special attention to where the subframe connects to the gearbox. I heard from some folks online that these older models can crack there if they’ve been ridden hard, so I made sure to inspect that area real carefully.
Next, I checked the shocks. Let me tell you, if they’re the original ones, they’re probably toast by now. Mine felt pretty worn out, so I’m already looking at replacements. Probably going to go with some aftermarket ones – heard good things about them, and they’re usually easier to find than trying to hunt down old stock parts.
Then, I fired it up and listened closely. I ran it through all the gears, listening for any weird grinding or clunking from the transmission. Thankfully, it sounded pretty smooth. These old bikes are known for being pretty reliable if they’re taken care of, and this one seemed to have been treated well. I also checked for play in the final drive and rear suspension, everything felt tight and solid.
I also peeked at the service history. Luckily, the previous owner kept decent records. It’s always a good sign when someone’s kept up with the maintenance. From what I gathered, these bikes are pretty straightforward to work on yourself, and parts are still available, which is a huge plus.
Engine
- Checked: The engine is a 259 type with four-valve cylinder heads.
- Found: It started up fine and sounded healthy enough.
Maintenance
- Considered: Even with good service records, at this age and mileage, it’s smart to factor in some upcoming maintenance costs.
- Planned: A thorough check and likely replacement of fluids, filters, and maybe even a valve adjustment are on the to-do list.
Overall
- Impression: It’s a solid bike with a lot of life left in it.
- Action: I decided to go for it! Now comes the fun part – getting it properly sorted and then hitting the road.
I’m really excited about this project. It’s gonna be a fun ride, both literally and figuratively. I’ll keep you guys updated on the progress. Who knows, maybe I’ll even take it on a long trip somewhere. Stay tuned!
