daleweisman
New member
I'm a Forum newbie so pardon me if this topic has been thoroughly addressed.
I'm seeking advice on a potential airhead fork rebuild. I have a 1979 R100RS with only 40K miles. Whenever I ride over a rough road surface (pot holes, train tracks, etc.), I feel and hear a distinct rattling "thunk," which seems to come from the forks (not the steering head bearings, which seem solid). A year ago a local independent BMW mechanic replaced the fork oil and the plastic bumpers (or bushings) at the bottom of each fork. Progressive springs were fine, not replaced. He did NOT rebuild the forks per se. Nor does he want to because he thinks the late-70s forks are antiquated and doesn't believe parts are available (especially for the various springs, washers, etc.) at the top of the forks. He thinks the "thunk" rattle is caused by the forks topping out, not bottoming out. Also, I never asked him about adding spacers (i.e., short pieces of PVC pipe) which are apparently advised for Progressive springs.
I am no mechanic and don't have the skills or patience to rebuild the forks myself.
How difficult is it to remove the forks so that I can ship them to a fork/suspension specialist for a rebuild? Is a rebuild even necessary? Final question: will I need to remove most of the RS fairing panels to remove the forks?
I appreciate any advice. I love this old airhead, and it's solid in every way -- except for the irritating fork noise.
thx
dale in Austin, TX
I'm seeking advice on a potential airhead fork rebuild. I have a 1979 R100RS with only 40K miles. Whenever I ride over a rough road surface (pot holes, train tracks, etc.), I feel and hear a distinct rattling "thunk," which seems to come from the forks (not the steering head bearings, which seem solid). A year ago a local independent BMW mechanic replaced the fork oil and the plastic bumpers (or bushings) at the bottom of each fork. Progressive springs were fine, not replaced. He did NOT rebuild the forks per se. Nor does he want to because he thinks the late-70s forks are antiquated and doesn't believe parts are available (especially for the various springs, washers, etc.) at the top of the forks. He thinks the "thunk" rattle is caused by the forks topping out, not bottoming out. Also, I never asked him about adding spacers (i.e., short pieces of PVC pipe) which are apparently advised for Progressive springs.
I am no mechanic and don't have the skills or patience to rebuild the forks myself.
How difficult is it to remove the forks so that I can ship them to a fork/suspension specialist for a rebuild? Is a rebuild even necessary? Final question: will I need to remove most of the RS fairing panels to remove the forks?
I appreciate any advice. I love this old airhead, and it's solid in every way -- except for the irritating fork noise.
thx
dale in Austin, TX