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Older airhead shops?

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:28 am
by Tony M.
I'm looking for a shop in Connecticut or the New England area that works on or specializes in the older airheads. My experience with the local BMW shop has been somewhat disappointing when it comes to having work done on my R80/7.
The old BMW's have much more appeal to me than the new ones. After 30 years, I stopped my membership in BMWMOA and am looking for an airhead club to join. Are there any out there? Thanks for any information you can provide. Tony

Re: Older airhead shops?

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:38 am
by lrz
After 30 years, you probably perform regular maintenance & basic repairs yourself,no?

For larger projects, head work for example, there is Bud Provin:
http://thenickwackettgarage.com/bmw/

Re: Older airhead shops?

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 10:57 am
by Tony M.
Thanks. I have a place in Vermont and am there often. I do routine maintenance but have never taken it apart to lube the splines and am considering having that done. The bike is original and I have been running unleaded gas in it for years. I'm not sure what kind of wear has resulted and am interested in having it looked at.

Re: Older airhead shops?

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 11:43 am
by russphoto
http://www.airheads.org/index.php?optio ... Itemid=102
This is the club for you.....you can join with paypal for $25.00

Re: Older airhead shops?

Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2012 2:06 pm
by Major Softie
A spline-lube isn't bad, as long as you have all the tools. It's just nuts and bolts. Even though it takes some time and looks like you've done some huge thing, when you think about it, it's probably easier to screw up a valve adjustment.

Re: Older airhead shops?

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 11:05 am
by montmil
Major Softie wrote:A spline-lube isn't bad, as long as you have all the tools. It's just nuts and bolts. Even though it takes some time and looks like you've done some huge thing, when you think about it, it's probably easier to screw up a valve adjustment.
Good response from the Major.

There are two ways to do a transmission spline lube: the half-assed way and the whole-assed way.

First way involves sliding the gearbox as far aft as possible to expose "some" of the input splines. Not the best way but better than nuttin', I suppose.

Second way requires removal of the swing arm pivot pins and drawing back the swingarm, then removing the gearbox. Now, you can clean, inspect and lube the entire splined connection. A 27mm 6-pt socket is required. Some brand sockets may fit. Others may require surfacing the end and turning down the socket o.d. to get the best grip on the thin pivot bolts. These specialty sockets are sold by several Airhead vendors.

Try this job in your own garage. It is a relatively easy and a great learning experience. Don't forget... help is but a key stroke away.

Re: Older airhead shops?

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 5:29 pm
by ME 109
I found it amazing how quickly a freshly lubed spline becomes un-lubed.

Having had to 'go back in' shortly (less than 1000 k) after lubing splines, I found said splines to be almost devoid of lube.

Re: Older airhead shops?

Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:42 pm
by enigmaT120
ME 109 wrote:I found it amazing how quickly a freshly lubed spline becomes un-lubed.

Having had to 'go back in' shortly (less than 1000 k) after lubing splines, I found said splines to be almost devoid of lube.
Was it on your clutch?

Re: Older airhead shops?

Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 12:36 am
by ME 109
enigmaT120 wrote: Was it on your clutch?
Not that I can recall ED, maybe tiny spots.......
There ain't much on there to begin with tho.

Re: Older airhead shops?

Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2012 6:23 pm
by Bob Distelcamp
If you live in North Western CT There's Heid's BMW in Johnsberg,NY just outside of Warrensberg.
Heid's is a OLD Time BMW shop. With out the dress shop feeling.

Bob D