Thank you for the kind words Jupiter. Unfortunately, the Star Trek replicator I've been working on refuses to work properly--when I tell it to get me "Tea, Earl Grey, Hot", it fabricates a sweaty English Earl shaped like the letter "T" :-)
BMW has a history of valve problems when no-lead fuel was mandatory. They finally got it right about 1985 or so. They changed the exhaust valve seats but got the metallurgy wrong so eventually the valves start closing up in under 1000 mile which is a sign you need the valves and seats replaced. I always get heads rebuilt by Randy Long, of Long's Mechanical Services on all my airhead projects so I know I have good valves and seats. Dropping a valve means you likely get a new motor.
@BrooksAirheadGarage do you suggest a leak down test? Or just checking the valves regularly? The bike runs good, but I'd like to keep it that way going forward..
@BrooksAirheadGarage when you say they got it right around 1985, does the valve job by Randy Long fix the issue or do you need to look for 1985+ heads?
@@honzasgarage5125 I’d check valve clearance every 1500 miles. If they start closing up, time for a head rebuild. Randy replaces seats and valves with the correct metallurgy so they are good for 100,000 miles or more
Hey Brooks just put some gasoline in my intake/exhaust chambers and no leaks on the compression chamber side. However, there was some leaking coming out the other end on all 4 valves near the valve guides/spring seats. There's no seal near the brass valve guides so I'm assuming this is a non issue and I just put way too much gas in the chambers when checking?
FrodoLoggins, Yes, you are correct. You are checking that the valve face and seats are gas tight. The valve stem has clearance for lubrication so gas will leak through that gap.
@@BrooksAirheadGarage How did you reply so quick? I'm assuming you got a barrage of notifications, I tried linking to an image and the comments kept getting taken down... Anyways, much appreciated!
@@Te4mUp to be clear you put gas in the intake and exhaust passages and then check the valve faces inside the combustion chamber side of the head. No leak in 10 seconds indicates a gas tight seal between the valve face and the valve seat.
Hi Brook, I'm just waiting on the delivery of my very first BMW Airhead and was wondering if you could kindly answer this question, what Fuel Additive would you recommend for Airheads, Thanks in advance Malcolm.
Malcolm, Well, none. I only use premium no lead in my bikes. All of them have had the valve seats and exhaust valves replaced with components that work with no lead fuel.
Hi FPVdant, I don't know. I'll have to go out to the shop and measure it .... clomp, clomp, clomp ... From the inside edge of the "C" arm to the center line of the screw thread is 3-3/4 inches.
Brook, just a quick word of thanks for your efforts on these videos. My barn find R80RT is progressing nicely thanks to you....
Thank you Clayton. All the best on your project 😀
Brook what would we do without you! Best vids on Airheads on UA-cam! What would make it better is being able to borrow that valve spring clamp!
Thank you for the kind words Jupiter. Unfortunately, the Star Trek replicator I've been working on refuses to work properly--when I tell it to get me "Tea, Earl Grey, Hot", it fabricates a sweaty English Earl shaped like the letter "T" :-)
Thanks for your video. I have a R1100R that has a problem and I found your video very helpful.... Bob in Delray '73 R/75, 95 R1100R, 98 R1100RT
Outstanding videos! THANK YOU!!
Thanks Brian 😊
What ball park are we talking in terms of the head work? I have a 82R100RT, so I wonder if I'll have to get head/valve work eventually done too.
BMW has a history of valve problems when no-lead fuel was mandatory. They finally got it right about 1985 or so. They changed the exhaust valve seats but got the metallurgy wrong so eventually the valves start closing up in under 1000 mile which is a sign you need the valves and seats replaced.
I always get heads rebuilt by Randy Long, of Long's Mechanical Services on all my airhead projects so I know I have good valves and seats. Dropping a valve means you likely get a new motor.
@BrooksAirheadGarage do you suggest a leak down test? Or just checking the valves regularly?
The bike runs good, but I'd like to keep it that way going forward..
@BrooksAirheadGarage when you say they got it right around 1985, does the valve job by Randy Long fix the issue or do you need to look for 1985+ heads?
@@honzasgarage5125 I’d check valve clearance every 1500 miles. If they start closing up, time for a head rebuild.
Randy replaces seats and valves with the correct metallurgy so they are good for 100,000 miles or more
I'm looking for an RS more to rebuild than and just got a tip on what year"85"on but I bet there a lot more! Love your stuff!
Hey Brooks just put some gasoline in my intake/exhaust chambers and no leaks on the compression chamber side. However, there was some leaking coming out the other end on all 4 valves near the valve guides/spring seats. There's no seal near the brass valve guides so I'm assuming this is a non issue and I just put way too much gas in the chambers when checking?
FrodoLoggins, Yes, you are correct. You are checking that the valve face and seats are gas tight. The valve stem has clearance for lubrication so gas will leak through that gap.
@@BrooksAirheadGarage How did you reply so quick? I'm assuming you got a barrage of notifications, I tried linking to an image and the comments kept getting taken down... Anyways, much appreciated!
@@Te4mUp to be clear you put gas in the intake and exhaust passages and then check the valve faces inside the combustion chamber side of the head. No leak in 10 seconds indicates a gas tight seal between the valve face and the valve seat.
Really informative video, thanks for posting.
You're welcome FireBrew63. Thanks for stopping by.
Hi Brook, I'm just waiting on the delivery of my very first BMW Airhead and was wondering if you could kindly answer this question, what Fuel Additive would you recommend for Airheads, Thanks in advance Malcolm.
Malcolm, Well, none. I only use premium no lead in my bikes. All of them have had the valve seats and exhaust valves replaced with components that work with no lead fuel.
What is the best way to get a hold of Longs Mechanical service? I couldn’t find anything about it when I searched it up. Great video by the way!
Try this. home.jtan.com/~joe/randy_long.htm
Hi. Is that a 8" or 10" valve spring compressor?
Hi FPVdant, I don't know. I'll have to go out to the shop and measure it .... clomp, clomp, clomp ...
From the inside edge of the "C" arm to the center line of the screw thread is 3-3/4 inches.