jhall
BMWMOA #24809
Getting Reacquainted With Airheads
I rode the 1995 R100RTC, 225 miles home last Thursday and, everyday since, have been tinkering with and riding it. Thursday upon arrival home, I placed two large fans in front of the motor and, fours later when it was cold, adjusted the valves. Friday I checked all oil levels. Saturday, I adjusted the foot pegs and highway pegs to match my 32" inseam (the PO probably had a 28" inseam), adjusted the rear brake and attached a spacer block on top of the pedal for max brake application. Today, I installed a Goldwing vent in the windshield, added a touch of RTV on the faring vents to keep them from rolling around sideways, did a Snow Bum "flapectomy" to the gas tank filler, and greased the throttle gears. I planned to re-plumb the overflow drain so it would not dump gas into the crank case, but found someone had already beat me to it.
I have ordered a Brown Sidestand with adapter for mono shock Airhead. I hated spending the $, but figured it was just a matter of time before I lay the bike down while trying to deploy the OEM side stand. Also ordered bar-backs, to bring the handlebars up 1" and 1.25". Will also adjust the steering head bearings while installing th bar-backs since they are a bit loose. Also ordered a Bing tun up kit, mainly in order to have a spare pair of carb diaphragms, as I recall they tend to rupture at most inconvenient times. Also ordered a grease gun needle adapter in order to grease the swing arm bearings. I plan to later order gaiters and fork seals, since the seals are leaking. I plan to remove the fairing air seals and just use the gaiters, as I did on both prior RTs.
So just checking things over and dialing the Airhead in to fit me best. Overall, I'm very pleased with this Airhead. I have now had the pleasure of owning a first year 79 RT, and now a last year 95 RT. So far, it seems the 95 is a better bike. I like that it uses regular gas, and the front brakes work better. However, the front brakes do not work as well as I recall they did on the 1988 K100LT I once owned. Since it's a K front end, the brakes should work as well as an early K, so I ordered one pair of Galfer HH pads, which I believe are the best available (will find out). Before installing the pads, I will deglaze and clean the rotor. It there's improvement, I will order pads for the other side.
I had forgotten how well the RT faring protects from the elements. It is definitely more protective than my GL1800 Goldwing. It is a real pleasure to ride, and hums along nicely at any speed I choose. With the Goldwing, Honda has figured out how to put a car on two wheels. I have nothing bad to say about it, but the Airhead is back to basic motorcycling, which I prefer at this point. Not gonna rush, but the Goldwing will probably go up for sale this spring.
I rode the 1995 R100RTC, 225 miles home last Thursday and, everyday since, have been tinkering with and riding it. Thursday upon arrival home, I placed two large fans in front of the motor and, fours later when it was cold, adjusted the valves. Friday I checked all oil levels. Saturday, I adjusted the foot pegs and highway pegs to match my 32" inseam (the PO probably had a 28" inseam), adjusted the rear brake and attached a spacer block on top of the pedal for max brake application. Today, I installed a Goldwing vent in the windshield, added a touch of RTV on the faring vents to keep them from rolling around sideways, did a Snow Bum "flapectomy" to the gas tank filler, and greased the throttle gears. I planned to re-plumb the overflow drain so it would not dump gas into the crank case, but found someone had already beat me to it.
I have ordered a Brown Sidestand with adapter for mono shock Airhead. I hated spending the $, but figured it was just a matter of time before I lay the bike down while trying to deploy the OEM side stand. Also ordered bar-backs, to bring the handlebars up 1" and 1.25". Will also adjust the steering head bearings while installing th bar-backs since they are a bit loose. Also ordered a Bing tun up kit, mainly in order to have a spare pair of carb diaphragms, as I recall they tend to rupture at most inconvenient times. Also ordered a grease gun needle adapter in order to grease the swing arm bearings. I plan to later order gaiters and fork seals, since the seals are leaking. I plan to remove the fairing air seals and just use the gaiters, as I did on both prior RTs.
So just checking things over and dialing the Airhead in to fit me best. Overall, I'm very pleased with this Airhead. I have now had the pleasure of owning a first year 79 RT, and now a last year 95 RT. So far, it seems the 95 is a better bike. I like that it uses regular gas, and the front brakes work better. However, the front brakes do not work as well as I recall they did on the 1988 K100LT I once owned. Since it's a K front end, the brakes should work as well as an early K, so I ordered one pair of Galfer HH pads, which I believe are the best available (will find out). Before installing the pads, I will deglaze and clean the rotor. It there's improvement, I will order pads for the other side.
I had forgotten how well the RT faring protects from the elements. It is definitely more protective than my GL1800 Goldwing. It is a real pleasure to ride, and hums along nicely at any speed I choose. With the Goldwing, Honda has figured out how to put a car on two wheels. I have nothing bad to say about it, but the Airhead is back to basic motorcycling, which I prefer at this point. Not gonna rush, but the Goldwing will probably go up for sale this spring.
Last edited: