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Today we have a 1983 BMW R80RT R80 RT R 80 RT R 80RT on the lift. Following BMWs long held tradition; this is an evolution of the same boxer twin released in 1970 for the slash 5 ( /5 ) models.

======= Check out On The Lift 1970 BMW R75/5 =========

While featuring many changes over 20 plus years, this bike still bears the strong family traits of its predecessors.

In 1979 BMW introduced the first production motorcycle with an integral non-optional touring fairing. Working with the RS design, which featured cutting edge, for the day, wind tunnel testing, BMW made the fairing larger and added a tall screen for the RT. Today this fairing seems, well commonplace, but back then no other manufacturer was close to releasing such a model. The Honda GL1100 Gold Wing ( Goldwing ) Aspencade wouldnt be available from Honda until 1982. Of course you could purchase a number of bolt of fairings ( Vetter ), but these hardly featured the design standards set by BMW.

In 82 BMW offered the budget model version of the liter machine as the R80RT.

======== Suggested retail for an R80RT was $5490. The R80RT was $1400 less the 1000cc RT. This price did not include the optional hard bags. ========

======== The R80RT was available in two colors: Metallic Pacific Blue with silver trim and Metallic Red with gold trim. ==========

To compensate for the smaller displacement engine the R80 has a lower rear differential ratio by about 15%. In addition, the clock and voltmeter are not in the fairing; instead a couple of plugs cover the openings. Even with the higher revs, the 6.2 gal tank gives a range of roughly 230 miles at 45 mile per gallon.

======== A 1985 models tested out at 57 high / 45 low / 49 ave. mpg ====

The bike features a 5-speed transmission mated to the tried and true swing arm/driveshaft design. By this point a number of modifications were accomplished to the shift mechanism to prevent false neutrals and long gone is the kickstarter of the original /5 models.

The front brakes are Brembo twin calipers, unlike the R100, which has a rear disc, the R80 uses a drum. The drum works well and rear wheel removal is certainly simplified over the disc model.

Here you see one of my aftermarket add ons A Browns sidestand. This thing is a huge improvement over the original. Now that will certainly get some argument, but seriously, who can logically say the BMW sidestand is a good design. Personally Ive replaced that thing on every airhead Ive owned and will do so in the future.

The rear swingarm/drive shaft uses a twin shocks. In 1985 the R80RT rear suspension adopted the single shock Monolever design.

Along with the soft front suspension, these two areas are the most common upgrades. This bike is riding on its original front and rear suspension components and is slotted for a pair of progressive springs and new rears shocks, which will be a big improvement.

===== Aditional resources: www.BMWMOA.org, airheads.org and 5united.net =======

In the day, this bike was reviewed pretty harshly. Pretty unfairly really. Comparing this bike, with its controllable and predictable power and handling, to the late 70s/early 80s 750s wasnt applicable. And the comparison to the liter plus touring machines was also off. Really, as BMW often does, this was one the first sport-touring machines and ahead of its time.

[Manual for /6 R60/6 R75/6 R90S R90/6 /7 R60/7 R75/7 R80/7 R100/7 R90S R100S R100T R100 R100CS R45 R65 R65LS R80ST R80RT R80 R100RT R100RT R100GS R65GS R100R R80R R1100RS R1100GS R1100R Manual for 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 Clymer manual BMW R50/5 through R100 GS PD M502-3 ISBN 0-89287-854-1] Music by Kevin MacLeod Airheads at airheads.org
BMWON BMWMOA 5UNITED AHRMA CLYMER CLYMER.COM maintenance troubleshooting repair diy

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This entry was posted on Monday, October 13th, 2008 at 7:17 am and is filed under BMW Motorcycles. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.