BMW R80 RT to S Conversion #4 - Fork Seals & Fork Install

[@boxer2valve]

Download your copy of this episode to view anytime and anywhere. We now have Downloads of each episode and the entire series available through our website for a VERY small price! Why pay for a download? Not only does this help ensure you will always have access to this video but it also supports our video team with proceeds for video equipment maintenance and new production gear to help us create additional 2 Valve focused videos. Find the Digital Downloads and Parts Used in this video here: www.boxer2valve.com/bmw-r80-rt-monolever-episode-4.html

[@classiccycleconnection9334]

I winced when he told the painter "no hurry" in Calif, that's the kiss of death . Never tell the painter, chrome shop , or engine builder "no rush!" Great series, great folks.

[@macmorgan6685]

More great hints and tools. I had to replace the fork tubes on my 77 RS and had to figure out how to compress the 3 rings on damper. I cut a strip of plastic from plastic milk carton, wrapped it around the damper piston which allowed me to compress the rings and slide them into to sliders.

[@binghugh]

William. I watched just about every video you posted. Like going to night school. I bet there are a lot of people wish you can do a begin to finish on a /2 model.

[@danieljohnsonpersonalstyli5755]

Great video - especially for the fork re-installation. I didnt have access to a laith, but found that a 1 inch piece of copper pipe is the perfect wall thickness for the job, cut in half just like yours. Great tip!

[@boxer2valve]

Great tip!

[@danieljohnsonpersonalstyli5755]

@@boxer2valve Your video's have been a god send! Thanks so much!

[@JayBearjaysbigadventure]

Just found your videos, and probably should have watched them before rebuilding my 78 R80/7 carbs! I did eventually get them back together, synched and now the bike runs really well. You know I'm watching this one again before attempting the forks! :) -jaysbigadventure

[@boxer2valve]

Right on!

[@warrenolds625]

Hello William, my wife and I are heading toward Gatlinburg next week and are planning a trip down to your shop as a day trip. Hope you'll be around so we can say "hello" and check out the project bike.

[@johnhopkins6260]

Socket for fork tube top nuts: at local machine shop, had socket (36 mm) square-faced for clean, 90 degree end (some sockets have an inward tapered opening, to ease placement on fasteners)... this allows socket to sit squarely on fork tube top nuts... (also had wheel bearing socket - tie rod end socket? (27 mm) square-faced and reduced to fit swing arm frame nuts... 20 bucks vs. 140 @ BMW

[@konradhittner4668]

With a car like a Trabant, the motorcycle restorations have to be good!

[@dennisodell3040]

Yep... I laughed out loud when I saw the Trabbi

[@sailorcto]

Those roll pins also serve as a vent for the fork gators as they compress and expand with the suspension.

[@andrewhayes4246]

Lovely job William. Not too sure about that car though! 🤣

[@EvLoutonian]

Great videos, and super nice to see the extended family at the end! (: KEEP IT UP

[@boxer2valve]

Always!

[@chriselhardt3264]

re: seal insertion tools have a similar problem putting together the oleo strut seal on the B-17. The manual tells us to wrap a piece of sheet metal around the piston to protect the seal. Fortunately there's lots of 0.040" for skin repair around these planes.

[@volvogt21]

Hello form Oz. I am new to the channel and love it. It has motivated me to give a little more love to my airhead. Lol. Can I be a little bit critical in a very respectful way. When you are describing wear or things to look out for can you place the part in front of your close up camera, either the side one or overhead one and then describe the issue. I love the way you present and the cleanliness of the workshop and your huge knowledge bank but sometimes feel like I am reading the manual with the pictures removed. Keep up the great work! A good example of a technical channel.is mustie1. You rarely see his face as the camera is always on the part he is working on with the narration describing what and why he is doing what he is doing.

[@boxer2valve]

Thanks for the tips! We appreciate your comments.

[@gerhard4all]

Thanks for the video! I'am a Dutch fan. I like your video's. Very interesting and inspiring.

[@boxer2valve]

Thank you!

[@thijsdijkman5489]

Loved the beemer but the car was also pretty nice! ;)

[@boxer2valve]

Glad you liked it!

[@bk-lm9qf]

Question. At 31:08 you're done with the brace. But when you pull up a second later, it stays up and doesn't fall down. Seems like you have to pull down quite a bit to get it back down. I thought it was suppose to mostly fall by it's own weight - with little or no resistance??? THANKS - G_R_E_A_T video, as usual !

[@mikeclaessen2985]

Always nice to watch! Have a question is it possible to lower the fork without cutting the forks. Some use a washer method. Could this be done for lets say 5cm? Where should the washer be placed? I have a bmw r80rt from 1985. Thx

[@StevanBabic-n3l]

I really enjoy watching your videos. Watched them all ! I have 2 r80rt from 85 and this help me a LOT. Thank you ! A little question, Where can i find the torque specs of the fork that you mentioned ? And even the torque specs of the whole motorcycle ? 😊 Have a good day and please don't stop 👍🏻

[@pmdt8090]

For every emblems, markings, lettering on paint I would recommend dental floss. Just the beginning will be a bit difficult, but after getting it underneath the emblem, you are able to 'cut' the emblem loose without any damage. Another question, do you miss or are a fan of Germany? Is that possible? 😅

[@bk-lm9qf]

So could you please confirm....the SHARP edge of the snap ring - does it go toward the handlebars (up) or toward the street (down) - THANKS

[@mysticapprentice]

Towards the street. Basically you want the sharp edge to offer as much resistance as possible against parts coming undone or falling off.

[@Tonalliux]

Hi ! What kind of vapor-blast do you use to clean the aluminum ? is Baking Soda ? Plastic Media ? what do you recommend ?

[@johnhopkins6260]

Have you ever tried a 247E (2473) front fork on a 247 ("/7"); Reasons being: heavier fork tubes, heavier upper and lower triple clamps, and pseudo fork brace. ....possibly a K-bike front end?

[@rickfazzini6440]

Great video series William! Do you have any plans to rebuild an R50/5 any time? Cool to see your other son Hans (can tell your a proud Dad)

[@Whatwhatwhat19]

so nice

[@sherylarp5035]

William, great video, one question though. What length is the two halves of the PVC pipe you manufactured for this job?

[@boxer2valve]

@ Sheryl Arp: It's not critical but I started with a piece about 8cm long.

[@axelzanelli6475]

You did not mention the spring or rubber bumper in the fork slider, or did I miss something!

[@tnguyen-jf1pm]

Hi, I recently bought a 49k mile 1984 r80rt paralevel. It’s been in the previous owner for 5 years. I know I have done a stupid thing since I didn’t try to check it before tearing down the engine to change the piston rings and reseal the cylinders. I believe that I got all of the assembling procedures correctly because I watched your video and performed it myself. I did the compression test (cold engine) and the right cylinder read 125psi while the left side only read 75psi. Then through some KZbin video I bought a leakdown tester at harbor freight. Unfortunately, it only show 15psi at the input gauge while the leakage gauge reaching 0%. At this tine, both passed the leakdown test, the leaking rate between 5-8% at TDC (still cold engine). Is it because of the cheap tool? I left the rocker cover on the left cylinder (failed air compression test? through the night, and the next morning I see some oil leak from the top rocker arm through the two top stud rods. I couldn’t check the right side (passed the air compression test) because I torqued the rocker cover back. Would you please diagnose what is the problem that I am facing or what did I do wrong at least? Help me please!!!! Thanks, Tri

[@lotophagi711]

Two pieces of tin can will allow you to slide the dampers into the fork.

[@21moumou]

Hi william i am a French fan of your videos! Do you know where i could find the special tool to put the fork seal on ?

[@boxer2valve]

Hi, I really do not know where you can still get the original installing tool. You can only check with your BMW dealer.

[@06barcafan10]

William. Thank you for the great videos....long time customer. Question, how did you get the wheel finish not to dull after vapor blasting? Did you coat with clear? I’ve always had problems with aluminum darkening after any type of media blasting. Thoughts?

[@boxer2valve]

Vapor blasting, as opposed to dry medium such as glass bead, leaves a bright finish. The wheels look like brand new and there's no need for any paint or subsequent finishing.

[@ferretlov]

Hi Do you have any tips for cleaning corrosion in between the cylinder fins?

[@timothyswartz5292]

You will never get the cylinder to look new unless you have it vapor blasted. You can clean up a lot if it though. What I used was a scotch bright pad stapled to a wooden paint stirrer.

[@geoffreyjones2000]

I have an 86 r65 monolever sir, any ideas on lowering the forks a couple inches?

[@boxer2valve]

The best way that I know is with a machined top fork bridge that allows the forks to protrude above the fork bridge, though I am not aware that such a part is available. May need to be custom machined, which is very possible.

[@ronowens1524]

3x5 cards, Dude!

[@garymills2702]

If you wanted to save the BMW emblem on the tail piece you could have sawed through it with dental floss.

[@johnhopkins6260]

Trabi??? (aka Pattex mobil)

[@racingtoy2000]

Trabant?!

[@boxer2valve]

Yes, its a Trabant

[@HeikosGarage]

Hey William, did you ever live in Germany? A lot about you looks so German. :-)

[@boxer2valve]

Hey Heiko, I have lived in Germany and still spend quite a bit of time in Germany every year and have been doing so for many years.

[@HeikosGarage]

@@boxer2valve Cool, a lot of your shop equipment is German stuff and even your overalls look like the once i used to wear when I was still living in Germany and working as an industrial mechanic. I was born in Germany and moved to the states as an adult. Finally own my first airhead. Used to wrench on those in German vocation school in the 90s. I live at the West Coast, if you guys would still have your shop in CA i would have taken a little trip to say hi but your new location is a bit far. ;-)