Oilhead projects

beachcomber · Post by **beachcomber** » Sat Apr 11, 2015 11:02 am

I've been around BMWs for some time now - several Airhead Cafe Racers, a few Kay Streetfighters [ one ongoing ], Y Trike project [ also ongoing !

], and now a modern take on the Cafe Racer genre. Somewhere between a Retro and Concept style

It's not meant to be a copy of any one style - just our interpretation.

Basis is the R1100S and the plan is to use the base model as a styling base and add in as many of the useful mods / upgrades that you peeps [ and Pelican ] have tossed around over the years.

When we got involved in the Y Trike some years ago - that involved buying some donors to use for parts. Naturally the donors were ridden around for a while to confirm they were in good useable condition [ mechanically ].

I found the steering "ponderous" to say the least - reminding me of my Guzzi Centauro. As with the Centy, seat height was a borderline issue for my 29.5" inside leg measurements !

So, although we will develop an adjustable Paralever torque arm - the "10mm Shorter" Telelever is top of my list to achieve sharper steering and keeping the seat height reasonable. A 10mm cut'n shut is under way as POC, then an adjustable version will be developed [ OEM spec - 15mm ] to experiment with. We'll develop our own RAMSHOX to suit the finished article.

I'm grateful to the 100's of peeps that have posted up their knowledge and tips - and welcome more constructive comments ..........."what do you think you're doing with our Classics" is NOT deemed constructive - we all have our own ideas on what's Classic and what's not.

A lot of what I've learned even to date has been very useful in deciding on a baseline for the project. Thanx.

BTW - best place to buy Power Commander V ?

The "Before"

Y Trike after chassis testing - fitting body panels, tank, and controls.

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Sat Apr 11, 2015 11:20 am

Not sure if they do a PC V for the R1100s? You can get a PC III, - I think I got mine from a French vendor.

There is one here, as cheap as I have seen (French too, by coincidence)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Power-Command ... 43d8726f9c

Al

beachcomber · Post by **beachcomber** » Sat Apr 11, 2015 12:30 pm

Blackal wrote:Not sure if they do a PC V for the R1100s? You can get a PC III, - I think I got mine from a French vendor.

There is one here, as cheap as I have seen (French too, by coincidence)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Power-Command ... 43d8726f9c

Al

Thanx Al ...............

however, the plan is to make multiples of this particular bike when it's completed - so we'll need ongoing supplies.

I'll contact the manufacturers on Monday to see what's what - thanx again

beachcomber · Post by **beachcomber** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 8:13 am

The Silver bike has now become the fitting mule as POC for all the mods / parts - and this little beauty will become the first to be "converted".....

Anyone got a NEW [ nos ] PC3 they want to part with ?

I'll list up all the unwanted parts from both bikes for sale.

Corvus · Post by **Corvus** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 12:12 pm

I'm looking forward to seeing this.

The telelever setup is said to have higher unsprung weight than a telescopic setup. Do you have any plans to try and reduce it in some way?

Are you keeping the paralever swingarm?

I guess I should just wait and see!

beachcomber · Post by **beachcomber** » Wed Apr 22, 2015 4:28 pm

Corvus wrote:I'm looking forward to seeing this.

The telelever setup is said to have higher unsprung weight than a telescopic setup. Do you have any plans to try and reduce it in some way?

Are you keeping the paralever swingarm?

I guess I should just wait and see!

Thanx for the encouragement. There will probably be TWO versions of the Telelever -the traditionally modded OEM version [ fixed at 10mm ], and the adjustable version will be tubular. Take a look at our Scorpio Y Trike project, this kind of fab is our daily bread. Don't really like guesstimates, but I would be surprised if there wasn't a weight saving of at least 25% over the stock version.

Most of the power train will be kept as is - including the Paralever swingarm.

Thanx for your interest.

beachcomber · Post by **beachcomber** » Fri Apr 24, 2015 8:25 am

What do you all use for deep cleaning the engine / powertrain ?

Gunk and steamcleaning only highlights the grottiness of the paint finish.

Soda Blast ? ......................

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Fri Apr 24, 2015 8:42 am

I think sodablast will remove the paint altogether.

Try Gunk ecoclean (something like that) - a bit less aggressive than the "full-fat" version.

Don't leave it on for long, though.

Al

boxerscott · Post by **boxerscott** » Fri Apr 24, 2015 7:53 pm

:shock How do you change the poly v belt with all that "super structure" in front of it?

I suspect you have already thought about that but to me it looks tight.

Amazing

I was amazed at the lengths a guy went to in fitting an 1100s engine to power his plane.

I reckon the head covers need to be chromed though.

Interesting post indeed.

beachcomber · Post by **beachcomber** » Sat Apr 25, 2015 10:50 am

boxerscott wrote::shock How do you change the poly v belt with all that "super structure" in front of it?

I suspect you have already thought about that but to me it looks tight.

Amazing

I was amazed at the lengths a guy went to in fitting an 1100s engine to power his plane.

I reckon the head covers need to be chromed though.

Interesting post indeed.

Thanx for your interest - this one's for when my knee [s ] eventually give out and I can no longer safely hold a solo up when I stop !!!

I've already nearly had a Monty Python moment with my Guzzi Centuaro a few years back.

This was an early mock up p.o.c. pic taken a few years ago. The tank removal is literally a 15 minute job - three mounting screws and a quick release fuel delivery hose. The body work is a simple removal courtesy of dowels and dzus fasteners.

As to chrome valve covers - we're just in the process of making BCR rep valve cover "covers" -allowing for a multitude of finishes.

The Scorpio rolling chassis test mule has been well tested - the roads around the workshop are notorious locally as being the worst in the area ! We have an inboard front supension unit [ as in race cars ] and a unique rear suspension layout - which defies pigeon-holeing !

There is an inherent steering / balance problem with "sit on" Y trikes, as opposed to car style seating. This is actually the Mk 4 version, before we were happy with the results.

boxerscott · Post by **boxerscott** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 9:10 pm

I am loving this process, keep it coming

beachcomber · Post by **beachcomber** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 8:30 am

To save Realm's fabricator's blushes - I should point out that the last pic above was of a p.o.c. mock up chassis that was knitted together by yours truly !!!!!! I AM NOT A WELDER /FABRICATOR, as is plain.

This was the very first - "I wonder if we could do that" given a weekend in the workshop with some lengths of tubing and the welder.

Jigs have now been made to the mk4 [ or is it 5 ? ] chassis, as there will be at least THREE built eventually.

This is the kind of work HE turns out. My apologies if I embarrased him ............

beachcomber · Post by **beachcomber** » Wed May 13, 2015 12:49 pm

Moving along nicely now.

The basic mock up is complete and we are finalising the remote fuel cell.

The new "tank" [ cover ] design is almost finalised, as is the seat base. These are primarilly cosmetics.

The electrics have been moved to a position under the seat [ sealed compartment with air flow ], which is also where the battery will live.

All the new GRP developments are being trialled for fit and will be generally available. The new side panel / closure design is being finalised in the next 2 weeks, but that part will be unique to the project.

The powertrain has been soda blasted and painted in a Black textured paint - initially it's come out too gloss, so we are getting a matting agent added for a true matt finish. Plans are to highlight the barrel / sump fins by polishing the edges.

The exhaust has been designed and mocked up [ and run ! ] using a modified Y Piece and GP style silencer. We're designing the Y piece so that it can also double up to take the OEM silencers.

Down to minor details now such as choice of light units, electronic instrument [ Acewell / Koso ? ].

The Adjustable paralever will be completed and fitted in the next week or two, whilst the adjustable Telelever is a further 2-3 weeks away.

As soon as the mock up is complete [ 4 weeks ? ] I'll post up some pix.

dave the german · Post by **dave the german** » Wed May 13, 2015 1:15 pm

Was the engine soda blasted as one piece?

beachcomber · Post by **beachcomber** » Wed May 13, 2015 7:55 pm

dave the german wrote:Was the engine soda blasted as one piece?

Yes - after we made up blanks to go over exhaust and intake - sealed with a little silicone on the joint faces.

Here's the engine in the base texture paint finish - far too glossy, we're having a new batch made which will be a matt finish - a bit like Harley use.