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R100 compression

hobarter

New member
Question: I just did a compression check (with an automotive comp tester) and found 125 on the left and @ 95 on the right on my 1992 R100 - the bike burns no oil (although there is slight oil showing from the right push rod exhaust seal), doesn't smoke, good acceleration for a 20 year-old BMW - It rides well (did Michigan to California trip Summer 2011 with no engine problems - needed a new drive shaft, but that's another story) - Are rings/valve-seat grinding/guides needed? The bike has 64K miles and has been maintained with fluids, adjustments, etc. Not sure where to take this airhead, but it's been a great ride in my 8 years with it -
 
How did you do the test. With CV carbs vacuum at cranking speed, with the throttle plate held wide open, won't fully withdraw the slides. So the slides block airflow into the cylinder. If air can't get in, it can't be compressed. So, the reading is low.

To get a reliable compression test, do it with the carbs removed from the head spigot and swung back out of the way. The airtubes need to come off first, of course.
 
I would first check and then recheck valve clearances - especially exhaust valves. The problem may be deeper than a mis-adjustment, but nothing is less expensive than starting with this. Also, I would ensure that the spark plugs are tightened, but not over-tightened.
 
A lot of time using an auto type compression gauge will result in lower readings, but they would be consistent on both sides.

You don't mention plug colour. Is there any difference between the two? One side running rich could also mess up your readings.
 
Clarification, Please. . .

Sorry to hi-jack, but I've had the experience of "using an auto (?) compression tester" on both an old LOW mileage, pampered Honda Goldwing, which displayed cylinder-level psi figures that were about HALF what they should have been, but the bike ran (still does) like a scalded-ass ape, a fact which told me "not to worry" about the psi readings. (Yes, I did the test properly, I think. . .) Recently, I just had the SAME experience on a '78 R100RS -- that is, readings of 85 on one side and 90 on the other, but the bike runs great - good starting, strong pull in all gears, and tops out at 115-120mph indicated.

Paul -- are you saying that ALL airheads need to have the carbs REMOVED to get an accurate reading? Some source I read said that "only the 60's" need to have the carbs REMOVED, whereas for the larger-displacement bikes, all that is required is that the choke be "off" (plate open) and the throttle plates opened at the throttle to do the test. Maybe not enough air coming in with carbs in place to get accurate reading for ALL displacements?

Also, I understand that a "leak-down test" is MUCH more valuable vs. compression testing, as it really pinpoints the potential trouble-spot. I've never done this, but am tracking down a gauge and compressor right now to see how it comes out.

As always, THANKS to all the knowledgeable folks posting here. A guy can learn a lot, every day.

Walking Eagle
 
Don't buy a Leak-Down tester as the device is very easy to make and a lot less expensive if you do it yourself. Just search the web for home built leak down tester.

I've been using my home built one for over eight year now.
 
I've seen the plans for making your own leakdown tester...I opted for one from Harbor Freight by Centech, $50 but might have been on sale...nicely made IMO. I figured by the time I wranged all the parts and drove around town, I might as well just buy one and start using it immediately. YMMV...
 
Sorry to hi-jack, but I've had the experience of "using an auto (?) compression tester" on both an old LOW mileage, pampered Honda Goldwing, which displayed cylinder-level psi figures that were about HALF what they should have been, but the bike ran (still does) like a scalded-ass ape, a fact which told me "not to worry" about the psi readings. (Yes, I did the test properly, I think. . .) Recently, I just had the SAME experience on a '78 R100RS -- that is, readings of 85 on one side and 90 on the other, but the bike runs great - good starting, strong pull in all gears, and tops out at 115-120mph indicated.

Paul -- are you saying that ALL airheads need to have the carbs REMOVED to get an accurate reading? Some source I read said that "only the 60's" need to have the carbs REMOVED, whereas for the larger-displacement bikes, all that is required is that the choke be "off" (plate open) and the throttle plates opened at the throttle to do the test. Maybe not enough air coming in with carbs in place to get accurate reading for ALL displacements?

Carbs should be removed for all of them. But, you can get a fairly decent reading with pure slide type carbs as on some /5 bikes, and I think the early R60/6.

Any CV type carb - Bing for sure - has a throttle plate that is opened by the cable, and a slide that is pulled upward by vacuum. At cranking speed and wide open throttle plate the condition is very low vacuum and the slide will stay closed or almost closed, blocking inlet air. Since the engine is sucking in very little air the compression reading will be abnormally low.

I'm not sure about the Dellorto units. They may be strictly throttle plate controlled. If so, there is still some restriction but the reading would be only a little low instead of way low.

Best practice is to remove and swing away the carbs so that the entire inlet throat is open and unobstructed.

For those interested, injection throttle bodies on BMWs are purely throttle plate controlled. There are no slides to worry about. I would be OK with a compression check on these just holding the throttle full open. This is certainly true for classic K bikes where the throttle bodies are a major job to remove. If yopu do an Oilhead with TBs in place, and then with them off, the reading is a little bit higher but not much.

Also, by the way, unless the carbs or throttle bodies are removed, a partially clogged air filter can also cause a low reading.
 
Thanks, Paul. Great info, as usual.

You remain the gold standard for moto-advice, and deserve a gold medal for your extraordinary patience and willingness to share your hard-won knowledge.

Beautiful time of year for the desert, eh?

Walking Eagle
 
R100R compression

Thanks to all my Forum friends who took the time to respond to my question - I'll be removing the CV carbs when I retest the compression & I'll be looking at a Leakdown Test as well - Hope that makes those numbers go up for peace of mind - Thanks again -
 
Would holding the slide up with your finger work to get enough air in?

In my opinion, no because your finger would be a significant obstruction. Now, using a long slender tool like a machinist's scribe or even a very narrow screw driver would put you close to allowing full induction into the cylinder. But to do that the air tube is already off so you might as well loosen one more clamp and pull the carb back from the head.

If accessories or lowers or other factors make it so you absolutely don't want to pull the CV carbs loose from the head and you need to do a compression check then open the top of the carb, remove the slide, open the throttle plate all the way with the cable, and fire away. It will be much like a throttle body in that case and not a major obstruction.
 
Sorry if this is a hijack but related. I'm in the process of getting ready for a compression test on my r50/2 and should I be removing my carbs as well or just opening and holding the throttle open?
Steve
 
I could move this over to Vintage, but let's just leave it be for now. I think Paul's advice is generally good. Do what he says and you have no doubt the carb is not choking the compression test. Since the /2 carbs are slides, you can take the air intake tubes completely off (definitely do that) and then roll the throttle completely open. Then with your second and third hand, do the compressions test. It's just a few nuts and the carb comes right off anyway. If you do it the right way, you remove any doubt.
 
I could move this over to Vintage, but let's just leave it be for now. I think Paul's advice is generally good. Do what he says and you have no doubt the carb is not choking the compression test. Since the /2 carbs are slides, you can take the air intake tubes completely off (definitely do that) and then roll the throttle completely open. Then with your second and third hand, do the compressions test. It's just a few nuts and the carb comes right off anyway. If you do it the right way, you remove any doubt.

Thanks, good direction to start. I almost posted there (vintage) but wasn't sure about response time. :D
 
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