Nearly an S owner

[MikeB3]

Hi All,
Another new member to swell the ranks!
I will be picking up a 1998 R1100S next week and I found this fine forum whilst reading-up about the bike and hopefully you don’t mind but I have already learned a fair bit from you all about my next project bike.
I already have an airhead that I restored and I completed an enjoyable recommissioning of a K1 last year (what a bike that is!) but I have liked the S for a long time now so when the opportunity arose (and the n+1 rule got the better of me) I now find myself on the verge of my next challenge.
I intend to strip the bike right down and get the frame powder coated so opportunities will arise for changing the clutch etc. but has anyone got any suggestions or recommendations for my project?

Best regards
Mike

[Paul]

Welcome on board Mike. Tell us a bit more about the bike so we can try to point you in the right direction. What sort of state is it in; how many miles; any add-ons (e.g. cat eliminator pipe, end cans etc.)? Pictures would be helpful too.

All the best, and good luck with the strip down. There are plenty of people on here who can answer questions as they arise.

Paul

[MikeB3]

Hi Paul,
Thank you for your welcome.
It’s a black, 1998 S with panniers, with 32000 miles on the clock. The only modification that I am aware of is the full Laser exhaust so no cat. and the previous owner has retained the dB killers in the end cans.
The bike appears to have been well maintained and has most recently used for long trips abroad so it has auxiliary USB sockets and a satnav mount fitted on one of the fork legs.
It looks like somebody has had some fun with some silver paint around parts of the engine cases at some point in it’s life so my feeling is that I will be doing a fair bit of cosmetic work.
I will add a picture or two as soon as I have worked out how.
Best regards
Mike

[MikeB3]

Hi Paul,
This is it

A8BAD502-1354-43B8-A04E-0A24F2733ED1.jpeg (115.25 KiB) Viewed 14997 times

[Paul]

Excellent stuff. Mr BMW famously uses paints which are kind to the environment, but unfortunately the environment does not return the favour to the painted bits of the bikes. I'm sure you will be able to find more durable alternatives.

I only ever got as far as repainting the bottoms of the fork tubes on my old S. I used Nitromors automotive to strip off what was left of the old paint. I then used some wet & dry and wire wool to clean up the corroded areas. It was then painted using Halfords own brand spray paints, starting with a couple of coats of grey primer, followed by 3 coats of a silver paint whose colour was labelled "Aluminium", finished off with a couple of coats of clear lacquer.

Hope this helps,

Paul

[MikeB3]

Thanks Paul,

It does help and, despite previous bike restoration experiences, I am grateful for any ideas or advice.
Do you, or anybody who may read this, know whether these early bikes were affected by the dreaded worn spline issue?

Best regards
Mike

[BoxerCup R]

Welcome to Boxertrix Mike and happy new bike.

Sounds like a good project you've got there with not that many miles on to be fair

Enjoy finding out all the intricacies of the R1100s and I look forward to seeing the work and bike progress

[MikeB3]

Thanks for the warm welcome BoxerCup R,

No doubt I will be asking many questions but I will try and keep up a running report of progress.

Best regards
Mike

[Humbug]

Welcome aboard. As you have already found, a wealth of knowledge on the forum.

[Paul]

Do you, or anybody who may read this, know whether these early bikes were affected by the dreaded worn spline issue?

Hi Mike,

If you look at the top right corner of each page on Boxertrix, there is a search field. If you type in "worn spline" it will show you all posts that contain those two words. If you can't find what you need then put a post in then "Boxertech" section and I'm sure somebody will be able to answer you questions.

Cheers,

Paul

[dave the german]

Welcome. As Paul has said the paint is crap!! My BCR never saw Winter roads but the engine is dreadful (Its half stripped at the moment in the process of getting tidied up).

[MikeB3]

Thank you all for your welcome and advice (already)
I look forward to keeping you updated with progress and undoubtedly picking all of your brains!

Best regards
Mike

[Al]

Welcome to Boxertrix, hammerite silver smooth is a good match for wheels and frame.

Al.

[MikeB3]

Thanks Al!