Airheads Beemer Club Forum - Recent Topics

Swing Arm Boot Oil

Rodney Spears — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:40:30 +0000

I am slowly working my way through a 1976 R75 /6 "barn find". It is time to do the spline lube and see if the rear main seal is leaking. I took the clamps off the swing arm boot to get at the drive shaft bolts, and pulled back the top of the boot for a look and went to bed. This morning there was a good 1-2 oz of orange milky oil under the bike. I clean it up before taking a picture. I could still see some when I pulled the boot back (see photo).

1) Seems like quite a bit oil for something that should have none. I guess the output seal might be leaking?

2) It is orange because water got into the boot? The boot is still fairly pliable, so no major crack are apparent.

Any ideas what might have caused it and what to look for as I continue with removing the transmission?

Background: The previous owner bought it at auction and probably did not do anything but replace the transmission fluid.

driveshaft.jpeg

exhaust removal R60/5

Karsten Riebesel — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 09:41:05 +0000

the exhaust system on my '72 R60/5 has been modified by previous owner, he replaced the original silencers with welded-on VW units, no Idea why he did, now I am basically looking at a 1 Pc. exhaust system that I have to remove in one piece.

I do not want to grind or cut the silencer portion while everything is on the bike, stress on header and sparks flying around. So, it looks to me that in order of pulling the complete exhaust system off the bike, I would have to raise bike, front wheel, high enough to get the cross over pipe past the front wheel.

Once off the bike I could attempt to seperate VW silencer and replace with proper unit. Sure would be less hassle if it could be done while unit is on the bike.

Can I place a jack under the engine to lift bike a couple of inches without causing damage ?

Electronic ignition Install

Jeff Praski — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 10:44:57 +0000

I'll be installing an electronic ignition shortly. I'm posting, to see if anyone (SE Michigan) wants to observe. Not real sure I'm ready for a full tech day hosting, but if there's anyone interested in doing this, and wants to 'peek', let me know.

It is the EME Enduralast unit, for (I think) 70 to 92 airheads. It will be going on (what started as) an 83 R80RT. This particular bike is not very stock, the engine case, cam & crank shafts, carbs, and alternator are probably the only things that will be remaining original. The location will be Richmond, MI.

Any hints for this process, feel free to give me tips. I'm an acceptable mechanic, YouTube certified, but it never hurts to have suggestions. :)

Temporory storage for my Airhead in Boise Idaho area

David Russell — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 04:14:40 +0000

Hello, could any one recommend a place I could store my R100RS in the Boise Idaho area for 1-2 weeks, probably July 7th to July 17th? I don't mind paying at a shop or other facility as long as it is safe as I will leave my riding gear on the bike and the side cases do not lock.

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cleaning engine

Karsten Riebesel — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 22:44:32 +0000

so, I have all parts and supplies on order to replace pushrod seals and gasket on my strainer, I meant to say my R60/5.

I just recently bought the bike, knowing it would need some TLC, I suppose the bike has not seen much use as of late and seals and gaskets must have dried out. Oil everywhere !

Before I take things apart I will need to clean things up, what should I use to clean the caked-on oily mud from the lower half of the engine without screwing the the engine case up ?

Looking forward to cleaning it up, replacing all fluids and take her for a spin.

Karsten

Club communication

Jamie Rasmussen — Sun, 21 Jun 2026 13:01:10 +0000

Is most of the interclub discussion held on Facebook?

R65 LS not charging

Mike Buhler — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:14:05 +0000

Since last season my '82 R65 LS hasn't been charging every time I go for a ride. Thankfully bump starting is a cinch. I checked the connections to the stator etc and all looks good. All new parts in there too. After similar issues on my Moto Guzzi that turned out to be a toasted battery I'm thinking this might the same issue with my R65. I know the same battery has been in the bike for many years so it wouldn't be any surprise. Now it's just a matter of looking up what the replacement is and try that. The Goose was solved with a new one.

preferred parts and tool suppliers

Karsten Riebesel — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 10:51:20 +0000

looking to see what resources there are for Airhead parts, new and used, as well as for parts and supplies that have a good track record with the group.

Will probably need to purchase replacement exhaust system for SWB R60/5, PO welded non BMW silencers to exhaust pipes. Will have to remove entire exhaust system, now 1 pc., or cut silencers off in order to replace rear main seal and possibly the clutch.

Wisconsin Winter Rally

Jamie Rasmussen — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 19:51:13 +0000

Come join us!!

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Driving an R75/6 across America on HWY 50 - any "can't miss" stops?

Lauren Smith — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 23:34:06 +0000

I'm driving my R75/6 across America this summer, taking HWY 50 from Ocean City MD, to Sacramento, CA (then on the San Francisco). Any stops I should be sure to check out?