1986 R80RT Timing Marks

I am still getting to know my R80 that I bought last year. Observing that the exhaust pipes were bluing from heat, I decided to check the timing. According to the Clymer manual I have, the bike should have an S mark and an F mark. Turning things over slowly, I found a -Z mark and a _S mark with a 01 above it. According to the manual, neither is correct for 86 and there is no mention of the S and 01 mark. Lots about S and F or S and Z, but no mention of an 01 above the S.

I set the timing to the _S mark and the -Z lines up when I advance the throttle. Bike runs fine, but I am curious.

Do I have some sort of oddity, or is the manual incomplete or incorrect?

Can more experienced folk lend some light here?

Thanks

Zimm

Zimm -

Sounds like your Clymer's is not quite right, especially for the post '80 models. For those bikes, there should be a Z or a line near/above the Z for full advance. It should be the line, not the letter itself. As for the 01 around the S mark, I can't imagine what that could be. Typically there are lines, one in the middle for the actual static timing point, with lines on either side of that. Not sure about the 01, though.

Long full power sessions turns the pipes blue; Its normal
Sounds like you have the timing spot on.
If any doubt, look at your spark plug tip color, consulate a plug color chart.
Any more doubt go to a cooler set of plugs.
You have to have good heat to make full power!

My Clymer manual (1970-1996 models) shows an OT mark on the flywheel to indicate when the piston is at Top Dead Center and is used when setting valve clearance.

Blueing of exhaust pipes is normal.

lkchris said:

Blueing of exhaust pipes is normal.

Click to expand...

Doesn't that depend upon the material the headers are made of? I've seen blue, I've seen more of a gold/hay colored on many /2s.

Stock BMW header pipes will turn blue, that's normal for single wall pipes,

The ones that turn gold are stainless steel.