Airheads Beemer Club Forum - Recent Topics https://www.airheads.org/community/ Airheads Beemer Club Discussion Board en-US Mon, 18 May 2026 22:50:53 +0000 wpForo 60 Third Thursday at Sliders Burgers on 5/21/26. https://www.airheads.org/community/norcal/third-thursday-at-sliders-burgers-on-5-21-26/ Mon, 18 May 2026 22:46:07 +0000 I'll be out at the Third Thursday South Bay Barley Therapy on . Stop by for a secret burger on the way home from work, I won't tell anyone.

It's a great burger from a San Jose Business.

The East Bay Barley Therapy is well attended with a great group of folks, would love to see the same in the South Bay.

Hope to see ya'll this Thursday.

Steffen

]]> Steffen Guy https://www.airheads.org/community/norcal/third-thursday-at-sliders-burgers-on-5-21-26/ Hard Starting https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/hard-starting/ Sun, 10 May 2026 14:38:34 +0000 I am haveing a hell of time getting my 1985 R80RT started after having the carbs rebuilt and engine desmogged. Hopebully this video works and you can hear what is going on.  I have checked the valves and float bowls for debris.  I'm at a loss as to why it will eventually start, but starts so rough and hard.  Right now I really don't trust it for a longer ride.

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RDN-RUHCeS_ln62M0uRFGCMtyQacfvjN/view?usp=sharing

]]> Curtis Nugent https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/hard-starting/ Centrifugal governor removal https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/centrifugal-governor-removal/ Thu, 07 May 2026 18:01:09 +0000 I wanted a project bike so I obtained my first airhead. 1977 R75/R. That's what all the documentation says and all the serial numbers agree. The front cover looks like it might have a 1975 or 76 ignition sensor, it has the centrifugal governor. Doesn't show that on the 1977 fiche I have been looking at. The cover has 3 holes instead of 2 also as stated on the fiche. Did BMW mix/match? Attached is a picture. Anyway, how do you remove it?

]]> Tim Cubbedge https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/centrifugal-governor-removal/ '74 r90s Idle Problem https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/74-r90s-idle-problem/ Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:10:48 +0000 Looking for some guidance on my BMW R90S. I’ve been chasing an idle issue that seems to be getting more inconsistent, and I’m starting to wonder if I’ve got more than just a tuning problem.

Background:

Originally (before any clutch work), the bike was idling a bit low. I tried adjusting it, but had a hard time getting it to hold around ~1,000 RPM consistently. Once fully warmed up, I could sometimes get it close, but it would dip and stumble, and I’d see the generator light flicker like it wanted to stall. I often had to give it a little throttle to keep it alive.

Clutch repair:

I recently replaced the clutch cable. That’s now working great, no issues there.

After that, I thought I had the idle somewhat sorted around ~1,000 RPM.

New behavior:

On a recent ride, I noticed the idle climbing higher than expected, about 2000rpms. When I got back and put it on the center stand (still running), I tried to dial the idle back down, but:

  • The idle screws felt extremely touchy
  • Small adjustments made big changes
  • I couldn’t get it to settle consistently
  • I’m not confident I properly “reset” the idle screws from a true baseline

At this point, I’m not sure I’m correctly identifying when the idle screw is actually making contact internally vs just free play, so I may be chasing my tail there.

Current issue:

Right now, unless I keep the idle set relatively high, the bike wants to stall when I try to bring it down near ~1,000 RPM.

Additional observation (possibly related):

Yesterday, after running the bike and shutting it down, I put it on the center stand and realized I had left both petcocks on.

About 10 minutes later:

  • Left side looked normal
  • On the right side, I could see what looked like continuous fuel bubbling in the small glass area above the carb

I shut the petcocks off immediately.

Appreciate any guidance. I’m trying to be methodical here and not make things worse by guessing.

Keeping it real, if there were a spectrum of folks who are experienced and knowledgeable airhead mechanics, if it's not obvious, I'm pretty low on that spectrum. I have the original service manual as well as a copy of both a Clymer's and Hayne's manual. AI is a great resource for finding what I'm looking for as well. I came here, because on my clutch repair, some kind fellas helped me dial right into what needed to happen.

***Additional observation.....when I turn the throttle it does not snap back....it usually makes it's way back eventually, but not immediately and consistently. Sometimes I have to turn it back myself***

]]> Lance Mark https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/74-r90s-idle-problem/ Red charging light https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/red-charging-light/ Mon, 27 Apr 2026 13:01:53 +0000 1978 R100/7 : all components within the charging system are new and functioning correctly, strong battery, brushes/springs in good order, clean rotor surfaces, no loose wires up in the Speedo/tach housing, etc. etc.

The problem: the red charging light will go on, albeit a slight flicker on again/off again with the bike running at 3000 plus RPM. Not at lower RPM, just the mid-upper end of the tachometer range.

The light goes on when the key is turned on, goes out once the bike is started, as it should.

Problem existed before and after installing a Katdash for the bike.

Any thoughts?

]]> Anthony Fodero https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/red-charging-light/ /2 Throttle Twist Grip Index Mark https://www.airheads.org/community/wrenching/2-throttle-twist-grip-index-mark/ Sun, 12 Apr 2026 23:09:17 +0000 The throttle twist grip on my '66 R69S does not have an index mark on the gear teeth to show where it needs to mate up with the cam that pulls the throttle cables.  Is there a standard place within the 10 gear teeth were the index mark should be?

]]> John Lindberg https://www.airheads.org/community/wrenching/2-throttle-twist-grip-index-mark/ Compression question https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/compression-question/ Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:47:33 +0000 Hello, 

Ive been having trouble syncing my carbs. The left cylinder pulls way more vacuum than the other, so the manometer won’t level at all. The carbs were just rebuilt by Bing. I did a compression test and it was strange. I saw online to remove the carbs first before testing, so I did both:

with carbs on, no filter: L=65 R=120

without carbs on: L=130 R=125

what on earth is going on??

thanks!

]]> Blake Wester https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/compression-question/ Generator Lights Performing Opposite Of Expected https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/generator-lights-performing-opposite-of-expected/ Tue, 07 Apr 2026 02:30:59 +0000 Over this past winter I spent a fair amount of time doing some upgrades to my '77 R100/7. Mostly doing handling, braking and cosmetic modifications. However, once the bike was back together and I started it for the first time, I've noticed an issue that wasn't there before. My generator light isn't behaving as it should. In fact, it seems to be doing nearly the opposite of what it should. At idle, the light goes off and once I'm on the throttle it comes on very brightly. Also, when I turn on the ignition, the generator light is also bright, as it should be.

My first thought was to pick up Rick Jones Classic Boxer Charging to see if it would lend some insight. In reading through his book, it seemed like my Voltage Regulator may have been the issue. But, I swapped out, what I believe to be a functional, used voltage regulator, and it did the same thing.

In full disclosure, I had one of the moments when putting the bike back together, that makes me feel a little less than bright. Fairly recently, I replaced the battery with a MotoBat. They seem highly regarded and I've been really pleased with it. However, these batteries have 4 connection points rather than 2. And I found out the hard way then the connections aren't symetrical.  Obviously, I wasn't paying close enough attention when reinstalling the battery and had it sitting in the cradle backwards. I attached the positive terminal first and then when attempting to hook up the negative terminal, I was treated to an impressive sparks show. It took me a minute to figure out what I had done. I then swapped the terminals, turned on the ignition switch and everything seemed to work as it should. 

This past weekend is when I finally had the bike ready for its first spin. It started just fine and seems to run with no apparent issues, other than the generator light burning brightly as I motor down the road. I'm wondering if I have fried the diode board or maybe something else. Any sagely advice would be greatly appreciated. 

Much appreciated. 

Bombadil

]]> J.T. Sutton https://www.airheads.org/community/my-airhead-needs-help/generator-lights-performing-opposite-of-expected/ Third Tuesday at Kirk's Steakburgers in Campbell Revival https://www.airheads.org/community/norcal/third-tuesday-at-kirks-steakburgers-in-campbell-revival/ Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:00:44 +0000 4/21 5pm-7pm, Kirks Burgers meet up in Campbell! Come on out to Kirk's Steakburgers, located at 2509 S Bascom Ave, Campbell, Ca 95008, on the third Tuesday, April 21st from 5-7 pm.

I'll be arriving early and attempting to get patio seating. Look for a Black 71' R60/5, will try to get a spot out front, as a beacon to all.

In an attempt to revive some South Bay Airhead activity, let's get something started! Open to suggestions on better locations, days, times.

If you use to run this event, please reach out to me, I'd love to talk to you and discuss. Not trying to step on toes, just need/want community.

Questions, concerns, thoughts, strange cryptic foreboding prophecies? Throw them in this topic below, I'll do my best to stay on top of it.

See you on the road! Or at Kirks, hopefully!

Steffen
71' R60/5
]]> Steffen Guy https://www.airheads.org/community/norcal/third-tuesday-at-kirks-steakburgers-in-campbell-revival/ Playing/grinding output shaft and 5 th gear. https://www.airheads.org/community/parts-is-parts/playing-grinding-output-shaft-and-5-th-gear-2/ Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:55:16 +0000 Hello, can anyone tell me if anyone else does this procedure?  CycleWorks.Net did it for a long time, but they aren’t responding to my emails and phone calls. I have a shaft and gear in need of this.

Thanks, Matt Parkhouse hobomatt@aol.com

 

]]> Matt Parkhouse https://www.airheads.org/community/parts-is-parts/playing-grinding-output-shaft-and-5-th-gear-2/