Beatrice runs but needs some love

[Holysmoke]

Got the bike delivered to Rudgecrest,Ca last Monday. Changed the oil, got a battery and fired her up. Air filter is missing. So fired up without intake manifold setup. I know that that changes the power characteristics but was looking to see any major issues. I think I know why the air cleaner was removed, trouble starting. Seems to running mostly on right cylinder. Plugging left carb has very little impact on running engine. Considerable oil burning out of left when first started. How difficult is it to pull the heads off? When an expert does the valve job can he setup the bike for leaded fuel? Probably should do the rings while I'm into the top end

One strange thing, a small almost acorn like object shot out of the left exhaust when I reved it pretty good. Will have to look at that closer. Possible that there's obstruction In the exhaust causing loss of power?

Thank you
Holysmoke

[SteveD]

Smoking rodents...

[Duane Ausherman]

Don't be in such a hurry to spend money. When you start it up cold, put your hands on the exhaust and see how the heat compares.

[Major Softie]

Oil burning is usually rings, and can also be from really loose valve guides, but can also be from simple things like the oil level being too high, so, as Duane says: don't be in a hurry to spend your money. I don't know why you are talking about a valve job, since you didn't mention anything that leads one to assume it needs one. The first thing to do is get it running correctly, and the biggest issue you are likely to be facing is that the carbs are probably gummed up and need to be cleaned out before you can even get them adjusted correctly.

[Holysmoke]

You guys are encouraging. I'll pull the carbs and get them cleaned out. I'll go ahead and order the air filter. Where's the best place to get them? I'm also musing the bottom bracket for the air filter housing. Can those be found still? Also noticed that the right choke doesn't move. Will need to look into that. Man, it's nice having everything so easy to work on, right out in the open

Which manual should I get?

[SteveD]

You guys are encouraging. I'll pull the carbs and get them cleaned out. I'll go ahead and order the air filter. Where's the best place to get them? I'm also musing the bottom bracket for the air filter housing. Can those be found still? Also noticed that the right choke doesn't move. Will need to look into that. Man, it's nice having everything so easy to work on, right out in the open

Which manual should I get?

Clymer, Haynes and BMW.

[Holysmoke]

The more I think about it, the left carb wants to overflow. And the smoke is black. And the plug is very dark. The left is too rich. Where should the carb float be set on a '78 R100S?

[SteveD]

Set to measure 26-27mm from the lowest part of the bowl. (fr memory)
Remove the bowl, place a container under the carb. Turn the fuel on and jiggle the float up and down a few times. You may loosen some junk stuck on the seat. The float needle may also be worn??

[jagarra]

Here is an official BMW manual.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Repair-Manu ... d3&vxp=mtr

[Duane Ausherman]

By far the most important manual is the parts book. All of the manuals are incomplete, in error and confusing in some parts. You will get better info here over all. You will learn who only has a keyboard and who knows something.

Learn to use Google first. Suggest that of Snowbum and my website (w6rec.com). Bookmark those sites that look good to you for future use.

Read for dozens of hours before doing much laying on of hands. Take lots of photos as you work.

Very important, keep a log book of every thing that you find and touch. Start with what history that you know of and what you have posted here and keep going.