Newbie question on parts availability

[tdskip]

Great, and very helpful, discussion gentlemen. Thank you.

What I’m looking for is a bike that is usable And enjoyable for running around town and shorter excursions. I don’t expect to be using this for any long-distance or a long haul touring. I like the design and aesthetic of the early bikes but I know the waiter ones are easier to deal with, I have a couple vintage cars already so I’m not scared of wrenching but it would be nice to have something I can just throw a leg over and know it’s going to start with a minimum of fuss.

I would expect-and please check me on this-that one of these from the 70s if it’s been maintained it and then I use it on a regular basis should be reliable but I know that a later model like a 90’s a R850r would probably be even easier to work with.

[Kurt in S.A.]

I don't think that the year makes that big of a difference in terms of "easier to work with"...or easier to work on. From my limited experience, I don't see much of a difference between a '71 or a '94 Airhead. Sure there are physical differences, but easier to work on doesn't come to mind. OK, the '94 has an electronic ignition while the '71 is points/condenser. I tend to think that generally the electronic ignition is trouble free, but when it's not, you're in a world of hurt and all you can do is just buy parts. Points/condenser as "dirt simple" can be fixable on the side of the road...within reason. Advance in technology also requires advance in skills and/or parts costs.

Kurt in S.A.

[tdskip]

Good morning Kurt. Same trade-off with the vintage cars on electronic ignition, on the cars I carry a spare distributor and tools since having a proper trunk makes it easy to do so.

Given that I don't think I will be too far from home an electronic ignition and FI are certainly a plus since even if they go wrong I'm not going to be too far from home.

Thanks for the heads-up that the overall complexity isn't really that different across the time span.

[Roy Gavin]

Airheads never really had " Electronic " ignition.
They retained the mechanical advance unit below a hall sensor trigger, and the black box was the same one used on some locally built six cylinder family saloon, so little more than a amplifier for the signal from the hall effect sensor.
That list seemed to miss Siebenrock, who have sourced good quality NLA parts like seats, exhausts , electrical, etc, Moteren Israel who do upgraded engine parts, and Mike Fishwicks CV carb article, which is unique in that he actually knows something about CV carbs.

[Kurt in S.A.]

Who is Mike Fishwicks? Someone Downunder? Is his article online somewhere?

Kurt in S.A.

[Rob Frankham]

Mike Fishwick is a Brit who actually lives in France. He is a regular contributor to the BMW owners club (UK) and is the 'technical officer' for their Vintage and Classic register. He runs what appears to be a post '80 twinshock 'RS. Over the years he has produced a number of 'technical articles' about airheads. Sadly, the only place I can find them online is the Vintage and Classic register library which is member access only (I'm not a member...) and I can't find a link at present. If you ask on the UK based forums, I'm sure someone will come up with a copy or a direct link.

I do have pdf copies of the Bing technical info on both type 64 and type 94 carbs. If you want to PM me an email address, I'd be happy to send a copy.

Rob

[Kurt in S.A.]

Rob -

Thanks...I was wondering if there was another reference out there whenever someone had carb questions. I've been trying to maintain links to online resources. I have the Bing manual if that's what you're referring to. But I will PM you my email address so I can have a look.

Kurt in S.A.

[SteveD]

Fishwick Bing pdf. http://www.vintage-register.co.uk/libra ... 0Carbs.pdf

[Kurt in S.A.]

Thanks!

Kurt in S.A.

[kmisterk]

This List hasn't aged well, it would seem. Or, at the very least, several of the "shop/parts" locations either no longer deal in parts or they just straight don't exist anymore.