a question for the bike enthusiasts / mechanics

Cobra

Cobra

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I have been offered a 1988 BMW 1000 tourer ( luggage and full fairing radio etc )
at a ridiculously low price I have not ridden a bike probably in about
15-20 years and rather like the comfort of a car.
Hence a slight reluctance to bite the guys hand off.

Right the questions Guys and gals
1) the main fuse has a problem (?!) and will be replaced before I buy.
2) the ABS doesn't work but apparently this happens when the battery is disconnected
(true or false?) and needs resetting at a cost of about £20 (again true or false)

The bike is in what I would say is V.good condition for the year and think the mileage was around 50,000

Any comments?
or any other pit falls?

Cheers Guys (and gals of course) :thumbs:

Oh and the asking price sans MOT £200
 
I'd be worried about what's causing the main fuse problem. Used to have a '83/84 R100RS back in the day, and was a real b****r when the battery wasn't fully charged. Looks like there maybe a lot more electronics on an '88 but at £200 you could probably break it for a reasonable profit if you run into any major mechanicals.
 
inaneredstripe said:
a friend of mine scrapped his 1988 ish BMW cos it was gonna cost him so much to get the ABS sorted, that its morew than the bike was worth
get a trained mechanic to look at it .
or walk away.
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jim_j said:
I'd be worried about what's causing the main fuse problem. Used to have a '83/84 R100RS back in the day, and was a real b****r when the battery wasn't fully charged. Looks like there maybe a lot more electronics on an '88 but at £200 you could probably break it for a reasonable profit if you run into any major mechanicals.
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Thanks Guys Its appreciated :thumbs:
Jim I couldn't' be arsed to break it in all honesty
and would rather he "had that problem"
and it seems as though this is the second battery in a year
so yep there could then be an underlying problem ;)
 
Cobra said:
Thanks Guys Its appreciated :thumbs:
Jim I couldn't' be arsed to break it in all honesty
and would rather he "had that problem"
and it seems as though this is the second battery in a year
so yep there could then be an underlying problem ;)
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If it's the second battery in a year, then I would walk away now. BMs have big heavy duty batteries and if something is killing them then it's probably going to be expensive. Could be something like a voltage regulator, bought one for my Laverda a couple of years ago can't remember how much but not cheap, so for a BM you're talking expensive plus a bit more.
 
jim_j said:
If it's the second battery in a year, then I would walk away now. .................
Click to expand...
Sounds like a plan to me then.
I knew I could rely on you guys
Cheers :thumbs:
 
Two batteries in a year could be something quite simple, slight wiring problem or a dodgy connection can end up draining the batteries pretty quickly, wiring diagram and a quick check usually sorts it out but if that turns up nothing then the problems start
 
I haven't got a clue on servicing on old BMWs but on a 22 year old bike all the oil seals / supspension etc will be well past it's best.

Unless you're getting it very very very cheap I'd leave it :)
 
Frenzied Dwarf said:
Two batteries in a year could be something quite simple, slight wiring problem or a dodgy connection can end up draining the batteries pretty quickly, wiring diagram and a quick check usually sorts it out but if that turns up nothing then the problems start
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mrgubby said:
I haven't got a clue on servicing on old BMWs but on a 22 year old bike all the oil seals / supspension etc will be well past it's best.

Unless you're getting it very very very cheap I'd leave it :)
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Cheers Guys
Brian £200 cheap enough?
 
Worth several times that as parts alone I'd have thought. For instance a straight fuel tank would cost you £90 looking on ebay.
 
Might be worth fronting up for a try at the MOT before parting with the £200. Iffy ABS and a hunger for batteries would probably be enough to put me off it though TBH.
 
Nod said:
Might be worth fronting up for a try at the MOT before parting with the £200. Iffy ABS and a hunger for batteries would probably be enough to put me off it though TBH.
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Thats an idea, but TBH what with the other stuff the guys have said here ( and your latter comment)
I guess I will give it a miss :thumbs:
 
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