Basic Basil"s corner
 

Since every man and his bike seems to have they're own thread, I've decided to start one as well. I've been polluting other people's threads with my little problems for long enough, so this can be my little worry corner on the web.

The bike is a 1996 R80GS Basic. I am the third owner, but Basil used to hire out his services to tourists in his younger years, before I got hold of him. He is stuffed now, of course. Instead of going sight seeing, he usually wears a pair of knobbies and get's thrashed around hard-to-get-to places. Having a clumsy rider as an owner doesn't really help. But the pain I've inflicted on poor Basil as a clumsy mechanic is probably worse.

Here he is, before I got hold of him, about 6 or 7 years ago.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psfd88ae76.jpg

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I had visions of turning him into this:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psd339cbe8.jpg

but that's not going to happen.

Basil in the SI with his previous owner.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...KenziePass.jpg

There is now way, that he'll ever need to worry about this white stuff again, not with me, anyway.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps5106c476.jpg

Here he is meeting his stable mate.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps7728300d.jpg

We went for a few rides over the years.

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...c/DSC02785.jpg

Then I started to work on him myself.

He got a new 24 litre tank, that made him look quite smart.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...c/DSC01074.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps7264935f.jpg

Basil had clunky universals and also needed a new clutch.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...c/DSC09180.jpg

I got to do this job twice :-). He also had the carbs overhauled, as his fuel consumption had deteriorated beyond what I could stand.

We went for some more rides.

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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...P1030285-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7..._7897421_n.jpg

There might be the odd photo of him having a rest, but I've had plenty of practice picking him up quickly :-).

Here he is trying on a PD tank. It was tempting to keep it.

Basil went from Napier to Waimauku on one tank, with a bit left over.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...c/DSC03544.jpg

unfortunately, he got distracted around a right-hander and needed to lay down. The valve covers didn't appreciate it.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...c/DSC03853.jpg

The PD tank looks great and gives you a huge range, but I found it restricted my leg room and increased the risk of denting it. Even worse, some poor G/S would have been without the PD part.

Since the PD had left on a tour of NZ, I've been able to give Basil a bit more attention.

He got some Nissin brakes and SS brake lines.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...n/DSC04054.jpg

and just recently I have fitted HH-Racetech cartridges. You probably know about this, since by now I've just about told every one. :lol3

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps08b09efb.jpg

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Currently I am working towards achieving this look.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...ps06dfa6be.jpg

It's slowy getting there, the bits are expensive.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...psb04078cd.jpg

Well, that's pretty much it.

While Basil is not as famous as Schmidty or Gus, he is still pure bred and not a mongrel, like the other two :lol3

But I am doing my best.

So, this will be the place where I can ask stupid questions and where you can admire my mechanical skills and I can't hear you laughing.

Welcome to Basil's corner!

Nice work. I like white.



Boring question but what are you getting mileagewise? I have just been looking at mine & I get around 16 - 17km/L.

It will be interesting riding it at the DB & comparing the forks:D

6 litres to 100km, so pretty much the same. I think that's as good as it gets with knobbies and a bit of wheel spin :-). You can ride Basil if you like, but if you think that the forks are shite, I don't want to hear about it. :lol3

good post.....One day I'll get to have a ride on one of those new fangled mono shock BMW's.....:rofl

I like the blau mit weiss theme :nod

:lurk

another bloody airhead thread....




except that its a basic

basics are the coolest airheads

so rock on :clap

Piss off jap rider - we don't like your kind around here.
So they came with a ST tank? And you changed it to one like Schmidts? I really like the original ST tanks on them.

' Don't mention the war '

Hi Basil, nice to meet you, owned one of your older cousins, he had a ' Heimlich ' tank, should have kept him.
I have a bit of a soft spot for those early GS airheads.

' We won by the way '

Good to see your starting a thread Koko. :D
Now, now, let's not be rude. I recall someone not too far from here came across to the correct way of thinking with a just little encouragement.
The GS tank is far more practical. We are not all fashion victims here...
You sure on that?

The original tank sits on a shelf in the garage. I like the extra range of the larger tank. It's a pretty simple swap. It also makes the bike look a bit beefier.

I need to modify the rack I have for my single seat. The seat also needs to be upholstered. I have bought a seat pan and a foam blank. The rack interferes with a cross member on the subframe. I need to get the tubing flattened on where it crosses over, so that the seat pan can sit on the subframe properly. Then I need to find an upholsterer who is sympathetic to my needs and doesn't mind using a rivet gun.

I might also cave in and buy one of those wind-shields. On longer trips, it will take a little of the wind pressure and make the ride less tiring. I prefer the look with out a shield.

I also have a side stand sitting here that needs to be modified. I want to get rid of the engine guards. They keep smacking into the valve cover. I still think that a piece of knead-it epoxy will help out in a pinch. I also still have a spare cover sitting at home. The one I recently put on has battle scars already. I am still going to have to have another crack up that drive, now that my knee and right thumb no longer hurt.

Absolutely

http://youtu.be/7xnNhzgcWTk

An oldie but a goodie
You know I had too

just you bear in mind what happened to another airhead rider who disrespected me and my ride

Ooooh good call - sorry about that Mr Mark Sir - your beautiful machine is being most magnificient today in all its' glorious nature.

This thread is for all airhead riders and airheads, so we should all get along fine. :lol3 I am sure Basil won't mind.

Basil on the beach. he looks so small, but eager to please.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v7...5946440495.jpg