Scratching an Itch…

For some time, I have been wanting something to fill a gap in my garage. Partly, this is what drove me to rent the R18 for my trip last January. Partly, it’s a slow but growing realization that Goldie is just never going to be a great bike for a long trip. I want something that is good for a long trip, some camping, or otherwise a bit more comfortable.

What I think is missing is a touring bike. Goldie is a modern retro that will be a contemporary version of Project Red. Project Red will certainly be more capable of a road trip and may see that use from time to time. Neither will be good for a long weekend away or something more without some major compromises. So, I have been on the lookout for an opportunity to get something that fits that bill. Yes, I would love to get an R18, R1250RT, or even a K1600. I just can’t justify another new(ish) bike at the moment. I also have limited garage space to manage.

All this set the stage perfectly for getting me looking to buy an airhead RT. Yes, I already bought one for Project Red. I know I could have just updated it and been set. To that, I say this: That’s great point and you can just shut up.

I am not looking for another rebuild. I am not looking for something that needs a ton of work. I am looking for a well preserved mostly original RT airhead. That also dovetails nicely into my ongoing hunt for an airhead parts bike to keep in the shed. A good number of parts are getting somewhat harder to find and I know time will continue to evaporate BMW monolever supplies. Better to have a bike to canibalize if needed to keep Project Red on the road. So, I am already scanning all the normal used bike markets when I find a great candidate.

A 1991 R 100 RT in Connecticut. It’s a bit confusing at first. All the running gear looks to be in great shape, but the body is clearly from three different bikes. It also has under 15,000 miles. What gives?

Well, this bike is being sold by the first (and third) owner. It was used regularly for the first decade of its life until the owner hit a deer around 10,000 miles. It was totaled by the insurance company, but the owner reacquired the bike and had it “put back together”. That explains the gray fairing and incorrect blue rear seat cowl. It also puts this squarely in the strong “parts bike” column with a possible sweet find if all is actually in order. Deer v. motorcycle incidents will usually have some pretty serious damage to the frame and front end, so I was 50/50 on how it would check out.

After a good bit of consideration, multiple conversations with the owner, and a few months, I finally decided this was worth a serious look. What was really intriguing to me was the low miles and total lack of oxidation on the bike. Not long after getting it back on the road, the owner stopped riding and stored the bike in his basement for the next two decades, more or less.

A few weeks on, and my older child and I are driving from Chicago to Connecticut with a trailer.

What I find, is a seemingly excellent mechanical example. Yes, there are parts from three bikes here, but I see no major issues mechanically. It has 20-year old tires (that are still soft and pliable), the fuel lines are a bit brittle, and there’s a pretty good scratch on the windscreen (deer antler?). The bike stands as it should, no sign of frame bending, no wonkiness in the steering head, no major leaks, nothing scary.

After it starts easily from cold, I take it for a test ride. After a few miles, I am sold. There is enough her to justify the trip and the purchase. It has excellent power, rides true, and will definitely be roadworthy after some attention.

Time to get it home.

I am eager to run through the whole thing and see what I find. I am getting a good bit of extras also. both side bags are in great shape, I have the original dented tank which may be repairable, a second working clock, some crash bars (that will likely end up on Project Red), and a good bit of the paper history.

Happy Independence Day to this basement dweller…