Airhead Engine Work

[dluke]

I am looking for recommendations for airhead engine work in the Pacific Northwest. Specifically for a 1984 R100 CS Last Edition. I am interested in rebuilding the heads and the cylinders. Any references would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[20774]

Welcome to the forum and the MOA! I wouldn't necessarily restrict your view from just the Northwest...it's easy enough to ship parts like heads/cylinders that are small enough. But I get that. What would be the reason for this rework? How many miles on the bike? What sort of issues are you having? I dove into a top end on my /7 (with 100K miles on the clock) and found out pretty quick using local resources that my 1000cc cylinders were out of spec. I had read that the chances that those cylinders could be bored out were slim and that I'd likely be having issues in just a few 10/20000 miles. I decided to go with a Siebenrock cylinder/piston kit and sent my heads off the Ted Porter for overhaul. Unfortunately, Ted's no longer doing Airhead work.

All that said, a place just over the border in Canada that always comes to my mind is Shail's Motorcycle.

Shail's Motorcycles

motorcycle dealer Langley BC Vancouver motorcycle repair motorcycle service BMW motorcycles Ural sidecars Royal Enfield airhead

shailsmotorcycles.com

Hopefully others might have their suggestions for your region of the country. Max BMW in the Northeast has really taken up the reins in doing Airhead work these days. No doubt they could do the job.

 

[dluke]

I'm doing a frame up restoration. Low miles on the bike but unfortunately when I took the motor apart and dropped the pan it was full of sludge from poor oil maintenance. The cylinders are scored and even the tranny was full of dirt! I agree with the Max suggestion. Apparently Ted Porter now refers everything to Todd Millican at Britts and Beemers in Idaho, only about 6 hours from me in Bend Oregon. I will check out Shails .Thanks!

 

[20774]

Thanks for the info on Todd Millican. If they're OK with Ted, I'm sure they would be fine.

Restoration and Maintenance Services

www.brittsandbeemers.com

 

[6322]

Not sure how much work Todd is taking in these days. When I last spoke to him he was in recovery mode following an accident. Give him a call and see. Another possibility would be the folks at Ozzies’s BMW in Chico, CA. Being an ‘84, you may also be dealing with valve recession. Good luck with your project.

 

[bikebombs]

I am looking for recommendations for airhead engine work in the Pacific Northwest. Specifically for a 1984 R100 CS Last Edition. I am interested in rebuilding the heads and the cylinders. Any references would be appreciated. Thanks!

I've been dealing with Shail's Motorcycles for 11yrs. They are the very best. A family business with decades of BMW service and sales. He'll ship to every destination. I ride a 1976 R60/6 with over 100,000 mi. Never had difficulty getting OEM parts. His service is second to none. They'll give you time on the phone any time.

 

[kbasa]

Might want to talk with Scottie Sharpp here in NorCal. I think he's in Murphy's now?

 

[88bmwjeff]

Might want to talk with Scottie Sharpp here in NorCal. I think he's in Murphy's now?

Yes, he’s in Murthy’s now. He repaired/replaced the u joints on my drive shaft.

 

[oldcamper]

I'm doing a frame up restoration. Low miles on the bike but unfortunately when I took the motor apart and dropped the pan it was full of sludge from poor oil maintenance. The cylinders are scored and even the tranny was full of dirt! I agree with the Max suggestion. Apparently Ted Porter now refers everything to Todd Millican at Britts and Beemers in Idaho, only about 6 hours from me in Bend Oregon. I will check out Shails .Thanks!

Was this bike accidentally submerged?

I’ve seen plenty of bikes with dirty oil but never sludge, especially on a bike with low mileage. Also, an airhead transmission is sealed except for a small vent hole on the engine side ground cable bolt. Nikasil cylinders are pretty tough and typically last a long time too.
Where did all the dirt come from?

Not many of these bikes were imported, and they were (and often still are) sold at a premium. Most have been fairly well cared for as a result.

I’m just wondering what happened to this fairly rare, low mileage ‘84 LE CS. This sort of engine/transmission damage is not typical.

 

[dluke]

Was this bike accidentally submerged?

I’ve seen plenty of bikes with dirty oil but never sludge, especially on a bike with low mileage. Also, an airhead transmission is sealed except for a small vent hole on the engine side ground cable bolt. Nikasil cylinders are pretty tough and typically last a long time too.
Where did all the dirt come from?

Not many of these bikes were imported, and they were (and often still are) sold at a premium. Most have been fairly well cared for as a result.

I’m just wondering what happened to this fairly rare, low mileage ‘84 LE CS. This sort of engine/transmission damage is not typical.

 

[dluke]

Thanks for all the replies. My use of the word "sludge" is over stated. It was extremely dirty but cleaned up OK. The tranny also was extremely dirty but no damage to the selector forks or bearings. I am guessing just bad oil management. The cylinders are better than I thought. I have also had a professional here locally weigh in. It appears like someone tried to hone them but I am going to just put new pistons/rings/wrist-pins in call it good. Will probably still do a head rebuild because of the year and the metallurgy issue. I will definitely follow up these suggestions!

 

[dluke]

Not sure how much work Todd is taking in these days. When I last spoke to him he was in recovery mode following an accident. Give him a call and see. Another possibility would be the folks at Ozzies’s BMW in Chico, CA. Being an ‘84, you may also be dealing with valve recession. Good luck with your project.

Thanks Gary!

 

[20774]

Honing a Nikasil cylinder (1981-on) requires use of a special hone. Otherwise, the coating can be severly compromised.

 

[chasmrider]

Thanks for all the replies. My use of the word "sludge" is over stated. It was extremely dirty but cleaned up OK. The tranny also was extremely dirty but no damage to the selector forks or bearings. I am guessing just bad oil management. The cylinders are better than I thought. I have also had a professional here locally weigh in. It appears like someone tried to hone them but I am going to just put new pistons/rings/wrist-pins in call it good. Will probably still do a head rebuild because of the year and the metallurgy issue. I will definitely follow up these suggestions!

since you are in Bend, I would talk to the folks at M tech, they like BMW's . if they can't help you they should know who can. Scottie's workshop in CA should also be able to advise you. also I will ask at the Portland BT in a couple of weeks.

 

[dluke]

Honing a Nikasil cylinder (1981-on) requires use of a special hone. Otherwise, the coating can be severly compromised.

Honing a Nikasil cylinder (1981-on) requires use of a special hone. Otherwise, the coating can be severly compromised.

Yes, that's what I understand. I am going to have to get some more eyeballs on mine. Thanks Kurt

 

[dluke]

since you are in Bend, I would talk to the folks at M tech, they like BMW's . if they can't help you they should know who can. Scottie's workshop in CA should also be able to advise you. also I will ask at the Portland BT in a couple of weeks.

I know Matt @ MTech and have used them before. Great resource ! Thankyou. Turns out that Ted Ported followed up with Todd Millican on my behalf and clarified his availability. I think this might be my preferred avenue.