r100 year to year changes

the r100's have sparked my interest lately...

I'm interested in a fairly naked r100, with side bags, a passenger backrest, and possibly a topbox. For a windshield, I'm fine with just the National Cycle. So, I've got that much covered, but just try to figure out some year to year changes...


Anybody have a good website or good info about year to year engine/transmission/etc. changes in the bike?

*it seems like the T was replaced with the RT, which required a fairing because that's where the ignition was placed. Is this true on the RS's as well?


I'm pretty much trying to figure what are some of the better years to look for.


I'll post here as I find some as well...

Cheers,
Theo

Some sites I've found so far...

It's wikipedia, so use caution....some info could be wrong.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_BMW_motorcycles#1970.E2.80.931982

http://www.beehivebeemers.org/html/bmw_history1.html

http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic-bikes-2/bmw-r100-classic-bike-gallery.php

atlbmw said:

It's wikipedia, so use caution....some info could be wrong.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_BMW_motorcycles#1970.E2.80.931982

http://www.beehivebeemers.org/html/bmw_history1.html

http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic-bikes-2/bmw-r100-classic-bike-gallery.php

Click to expand...

Yeah, be careful. While reading the middle link I get this important misinformation:
"1975-1976 offered no changes."

really

Here's snowbum's link for general changes over the years:

http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/models.htm

Seems like lkchris has posted information like this before...consider a search on this forum.

found some pics here...

http://www.cyclechaos.com/wiki/List_of_BMW_motorcycles

atlbmw said:

*it seems like the T was replaced with the RT, which required a fairing because that's where the ignition was placed. Is this true on the RS's as well?

Click to expand...

The T and the RT were both introduced in '79.
The T replaced the R100/7 model of '77 and '78, and was discontinued after '80.

The fairing of the RT/RS models wasn't because of the ignition switch.
BMW could have easily left the switch where it was on the headlight--as most owners did
if they retrofitted an RS or RT fairings onto their bikes.

Eddie

R100s (or any other model) were not approved for use of a topbox until 1987.

'77-'78 were the same except headlight always on beginning '78. In 1978 you could buy an R100S with no fairing.

'79-80 featured ignition points in a distributor-like container, but rest of bikes were same as '77-78 except that low-compression, 32mm carbs of the no-fairing models (/7) disappeared, and engines were same as RS and RT. /7 renamed T. Handelbar switches changed to Japanese-style.

'81-'84 saw reduced compression, nikasil cylinders, electronic ignition, handlebar-mounted brake master cylinder operating new Brembo brakes, and much lightened flywheel. New brakes plus flywheel created much lighter, way more user friendly control pressures. Exhaust systems got dual crossovers. S renamed CS. T renamed just R100.

R100s disappeared until 1987, when they returned with K-bike-like front suspension, 18-in wheels front and rear, new brakes, smaller gas tanks, different exhaust system, different wheel styling, single-side swingarm, etc. Electrics moved from headlight to under tank. These bikes had small-valve heads with 32mm carbs. These bikes only sold as RS or RT. Handlebar switches K-bike style, as are saddlebags.