Late Model Airheads- Issues?

[tlangman4]

Hi Airhead fans!

Although I have owned a total of 7 airheads, none have been newer than the ‘79 model year. I am seriously considering a purchase of a ‘95 R100RT with approx 50k on the clock that has been kept in good condition and with regular maintenance. Being unfamiliar with the newer models, I am unaware of any potential issues with them. As these models are approaching 30 years of age, what items might be of concern or worth investigating that would be more specific to these late model airheads? have heard or the transmission circlip issues, but not sure if it still applied to the ‘90 model machines.
appreciate any feedback!

 

[88bmwjeff]

Others will most likely chime in with other suggestions, but I would check for play in the final drive. Grab the rear wheel at the 3 and 9 position, and check for play. There should be none. Mine needed to be rebuilt around 90k.

 

[drost]

My 93 rt had 121,000 miles on it when I bought it 3 years ago. I rebuilt every component on it. No circlip in transmission but now there is. The shock absorber and bearings were only items needed to be replaced. Engine total rebuild. Main bearings were still in spec so I left them alone. Heads were sent to Ted Porter for new valves. Ted phoned me about cost and said he could tell that heads were original, never been apart. Final drive gear set was worn but still very serviceable. I had most of the service records and maintenance was done at a dealership. The rt you are looking at is hardly broke in. I rebuilt mine because I was looking for a project bike to pass time in winter. It was pretty beat up. Drove it home 200 miles when purchased. It would do 80 mph all day long.

 

[stevenrankin]

From my belief, by the time they hit the 95 year, the R100 had been pretty well sorted out for major issues.
Not owning one I can only go by my limited information.
I am under the belief the EPA stuff added to the 95 included a lot of extra plumbing for the gas lines and system as well as adding some kind of device inside the tank.
On the positive side of things removing the bundle of jumping snakes from inside the headlight shell and moving it to a more accessible location is a big plus.
I am not sure if the switch gear on the handle bars is very different from earlier bikes or the same as some of the older bikes.

I did notice that when I bought a complete fairing with pockets and all the accessories, to replace my long winded high mileage 84 RT fairing, the fairing pocket covers were cheaper made than the ones on my 84 RT. A small point.

Good luck, St.