Hi folks,

I was walking on Paris streets last week when I found this BMW R100RS, the bike looks really great... few blocks later, I found another one, same one, but different colour. This bike looks awesome, and seems to be quite confortable and easy to fix.

I came back to London looking for one of these to buy... first stop, Auto Trader and than, random BMW dealers sites. Surprisedly, all R100RS models that I could find in UK doesn't look like this one, they were all faired and ugly.

My question is, anyone knows which R100RS is this one? year? Why all R100RS in UK doesn't look like this one? and finally, where can I found one of those to buy? Any website or store to recon?

Thank guys,

Joas

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Hi Joas,

The R100 you show in the picture is a ratbike that someone has customized. It looks to have started out as a 1976 R100RS as that was the only year to have spoked wheels and solid undrilled front twin discs. Later RS had snowflake wheels, drilled discs (and brembo calipers starting in 1981). The pattern on the seat is the same as RS but it has been cut down and the cowl removed to expose the stock RS rear fender. The front fairing that wrapped down around the valve covers has been removed along with the instruments that it contained. Thus, just wires and cables where the speedo/cluster should be above the headlight. The engine heads and 40mm bing carbs have been spray painted flat black from their original silver aluminum. The only non-original parts on the bike that I can see are the fabicated exhausts that look homemade and the army green paint job. I doubt if this is a French military special bike since due to the dangling cables where the speedo should be, but I could be wrong. Others may know more.

For an afficianado it is a shame really, as the 1976 R100RS had a high performance motor and is a sought after classic.

If you like this look better than the stock RS there is nothing stopping you from making your own ratbike. Plenty of people do it. There are lots of modified old airheads.

Kindest regards,
John Downs

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South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831076

Thanks John! You probable right, can be a custom bike, but how could you explain that I saw another one, exactly the same, but in different colour, few blocks away? Shame I didn't pictured it.

Best

Joas

Hi Joas,

Classic BMW R100RS fairing parts are no longer available. I once bought a wrecked RS, removed the smashed fairing, put on a used speedo and front turn signals from another bike and had a naked RS. Used RS fairings are quite expensive, so it is not uncommon when the bike is wrecked and the fairing smashed to do what this owner did. Some people make cafe racers, others like the look of this bike and make their own to look like it. I imagine that the fellow down the street modified his wrecked RS to look similar. No reason you can't do the same. And join the PRRSC. Parisian Ratbike RS club has a nice ring to it. :-)

Although I imagine anyone riding around Paris on a German motorcycle painted to look like a WWII German military bike is a little rebellious, has problems with French authority and might get some scowls from French resistance octogenarians.

Cheers,
John Downs

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South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831076

Was the second one black? That's a real rat bike!!
John has some good answers, but maybe, now it is spring weather, the rats are coming up out of the sewers of Paris??
Sorry, couldn't resist that thought.

More about rat bikes is available, via a quick search:-
rat bike - Google Search

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Dave

John, look what I just found in Nice/FR for sale! 76K Km, 2500 euros.

What do you think?

Joas

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Hi Joas,

It's hard to tell from the photo, but that looks like a fine example. Looks to be 1977-1978 with silver blue paint and original blue RS ATE twin brake calipers. Nice example. Not pristine, but looks to be well cared for considering it is over 30 years old.

It is missing the original fairing so was probably dumped at least one time and has the regular R100 headlight and turnsignals. Worth checking out though as that is the look you were after.

Happy bike hunting. I will warn you that old airheads are an addiction and there is no cure.

Best,
John Downs

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South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831076

LOL! I believe it is really addictive!

I just sent an email to the owner asking more details, the advert says the bike had everything redone 16k Km ago, inclusive all electric has been redone.

Do you think that if it is all right, will worth it 2.5K pounds?

do you have any ideia about the cost to import to UK? (I'm not talking about send it to UK, but to get UK registration) (I will ride all the way up home! sure!!!)

Thanks John,

Joas

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I live in the US and have no idea about UK importing or European prices for bikes. Others may know. Around here RS parts are very dear. 2500 sounds reasonable to me.

Cheers,
John Downs

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South America and back on a 250 Super Sherpa Minimalist Adventure http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=831076

No problem John! Thank you very much for you help!

All the best!

Just as a reality check, these bikes come up on UK ebay regularly, in all forms - with and without the fairings.
I would check on there for current prices, availability and condition of individual bikes before going to a lot of trouble to import a bike that is already in the UK.
IMO, it is a buyers' market for all bikes right now (despite the springtime blip of sales), and likely to stay that way for quite a while.

ps real rat bikes are always black, in the UK at least

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Dave

Blitz Motorcycles - Das Blitz

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My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474

Hey Adrian!

Those guys has awesome bikes, my God! But, the website has no contact number, address, price... nothing... just them work.

Joas

Hi, Joasphoto,I believe blitz motorcycles are based on the outskirts of Paris, that's why I posted the link as I think maybe its possible they built those BMW,s you saw.
Take a look at the videos on their website, some beautifull, pared down simple motorcycles.
Very refreshing in these days of ABS, Traction control, fuel computers etc.
Kind of reminds me of the reason I got into bikes in the first place.

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My trip to Millau (France) and back 2009.http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...u-france-43474