Early R100S California hot rod project

Hi all, I’ve been lurking around here for years but thought I’d finally post about a bike I got this weekend and really don’t know what to do with. It’s an early R100S produced in 7/76 and I believe to be the 57th off the line given what I can discern off the internet. It’s a poor condition barn find that was purchased new in SF and owned by a guy in Sausalito. At some point it was painted with a kustom paint job and really looks like a NorCal rig. I can see this thing at Alice’s on any Sunday in 1978 being ridden by a young Gary Fisher or Bob Weir or some other cool dude of the time. What should I do with this thing? I don’t want to sink a ton of dough into it but it’s a compelling orphan. First thought is to ignore cosmetics and simply get it to run as a start. I have a lot of experience with airheads being a longtime R100RS owner in the past. Thoughts about the value or attributes of early S bike versus newer? Thoughts about the sort of project thus could be? Thanks!




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Looks to basically be all there, sell it to someone that wants to restore it. Good project for someone as a lot of work is just cleaning it up and a decent paint.

Looks like a great project, interesting paint!

It could be a really nice looking S. Otherwise there's only a full blown departure from what it is. With big forks and stuff. Which would be kind of silly to do to that bike.
But then again it's only a bike, and way better than that has ended up with a brown seat.

That paint scheme is badass! What would I do with it? I'd clean it up, replace the mufflers and anything else that is too far gone to save, sort out any mechanical and electrical issues, get it running well and safely, and preserve it just the way it is. It's a very unique paint style, in my opinion it deserves to live on!

Bitchin' ride, man . . .

What CD said. Fix/clean/ride.

That looks great! Nice patina, I'd ride it the way it is.

See if that paint job is signed anywhere by the pinstriper (if those are painted stripes).
Possibly under the tank. Given it's age and location, it may have been done by Hector Bermillia from San Jose.
I saw him do a lot of similar schemes back in the day. He often signed the under side of the tank

That was a hot set up back then. I'd keep it like it is for now and after other issues are settled you can decide if you like it.

I would tolerate the cosmetics long enough to deal with the mechanical and DMV .

Total regional period piece. I would leave it and ride it.

How many of these exist today and will be around in 10 years? restored stock R100S's are easy to find.

Thank you all for the responses. I was thinking along the same lines. It would be a shame to get rid of period paint. It was found buried in a neighbors garage and it was there 16 years behind a credenza. I think I’ll detail what I can, rebuild carbs, brakes, forks, cables, some replacement rubber bits, tires,some electrics etc and get it running and ride it. An appropriate exhaust, perhaps some rear sets and it would be a cool cafe. No horrendous brown pleated bike exif seat for me! It already has a “billet” triple clamp and I’m hoping the carbs and exhaust ports are 40mm. I love that it has a drum rear and spoked wheels and alloy rims. I will be pulling the tank to look for a signature this week!


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Looks like it's been dual plugged. I wonder what else was done while the heads were off?

As others have said, it's a nice period piece. I'd clean it up and ride it.

This bikes paint job is typical of the things San Jose BMW used to offer.

Yeah it has some kind of aftermarket shocks that are trashed, a billet top triple tree, and dual plugs. I’ll have to pull the heads and investigate. It could have a little more going on than meets the eye.


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I think this brings up an interesting dilemma. (Full disclosure: the paint doesn't work for me.)

That's a stylish ride, and the paint is well done and period-perfect. Somebody would relish riding and owning that. I'm thinking white leathers.

Somebody else would not be able to rid themselves of the urge to re-paint it as stock, or chop it up, or something, anything! So, I think that bike should belong to one who loves it. If you don't, it may be an unsatisfying project.

If you don't love the paint work, you can always simply sell off the bodywork and replace it with whatever makes you love the bike more.

Did you get the side covers with it? In the box maybe? Curious as to how they were painted.

If the shocks are Works, they may be rebuild-able.

I think I see a SJ braced swingarm in the first photo too.

That’s adding up to provenance.
Up to the owner of course, but I wouldn’t be able to change much.