Monolever Survior
Engineer, 38 years old.
City, State: Wolcottville, Indiana – Originally from Zanesville, Ohio
Current mileage/Miles when purchased:
Roughly 45k currently, 35k when purchased
What was the attraction of this year, color and model RS?
In reality, I stumbled upon this motorcycle by accident. I’m always looking for motorcycles to be rescued, and this one popped up a mile down the road from me.
It’s a funny story how I acquired this one, I’m always looking for buy, fix, make-a-little motorcycles, and I originally bought a Royal Enfield 500 single for $1k, put nothing but some time and tuning into it, traded it straight up to a guy for a 1971 BSA Thunderbolt that had been restored (not a great restoration, but presentable). When this 88 showed up from a known wheeler-dealer down the road from me, I offered my BSA in a straight trade. So all in, I have very little money into this bike.
I have always liked the RS, I had an oilhead RS that I put 100k miles on, (multiple Iron Butt Saddlesores on that bike), and had a 78 gold RS, that I really regret selling. It needed a lot more work than I was able to give it at the time I owned it, so I foolishly sold it.
Did the seller represent the bike accurately and did you find any surprises when going through the bike?
The seller of my RS did not know what he had. He had purchased it in a group of cars and other bikes and didn’t know what to do with it, as he is more of a car wheeler dealer than motorcycles. In the condition it was in, I gave him a rough estimated value on it. It was not in running condition, nor did I hear it turn over. He had never heard it run and didn’t know if the engine turned over or not. I was gambling on the even trade for my BSA, but I honestly didn’t care, it was love at first sight.
That being said, I received a lot of the original paper work with it, and from everything I can gather based on mileage and dated receipts with owners names, I believe I am the third owner. It was originally purchased in TX in 88 and in 89 the original owner licensed it in MN, where the second owner purchased it somewhere around 98 I think. The second owners name was on the title when I received it and had not been transferred any further. I also received a lot of the maintenance documentation up to the mileage at which I purchased it. I’m fairly certain it sat for 15 years, dormant, before I acquired.
With the bike, I received the factory BMW tank bag, saddle bag liners, and all kinds of factory goodies that were stowed away in the saddlebags. I was like a kid in a candy store, and have tried to preserve all of them since my ownership. The saddlebag is not in great shape, so it sits on a shelf.
What design and engineering changes in the 88 RS were obvious to you compared to the 60/6 you own?
Horse power LOL!. I dearly love my R60/6 (I ground up restored that one about 11 years ago), but I do have to plan my acceleration and stops. Drum brakes and 0-60 in 11 days, makes it a very putt-sie ride, and I love every bit of it. My 7 year old son and I loaded the R60/6 up last supper and toured Kentucky backroads on it, tent camping a long the way… it will be his some day.
Back to the 88. They are two completely different bikes. Electronic ignition (I’ve updated to wedgetail), single side swing arm monoshock, dual disc front brakes… I can comfortably cruise at 80 all day long on it. Can’t do that on the R60. I have had some trans trouble with my 88. The original trans is sitting on my bench waiting to be rebuilt. When I acquired, I found that there was a lot of moisture, maybe even standing water in the transmission. It still shifted ok, but every time I changed the trans oil, it would come out milky and rusty. I regularly ride the 88 to Barber and southern Ohio, and the though of being stranded due to a bearing failure didn’t excite me much, so I purchased a used trans on ebay and installed with the intention of rebuilding the original one day. I had quite a few issues I had to sort out on it when I first got it, They included:
- Starter bushings
- Starter relay
- Ignition coil cracks (took a while to find this one)
- FD bearing and housing not assembled/shimmed correctly
- Water in trans
- Some backwoods electrical wiring on fog lights
- I did all the standard, Main seal, oil pump seal and check, oil pan drop and clean, Valves, carb rebuild etc…
Going back to the stock/standard seat is one of the first noticeable changes in the before and after photos, why the change?
I hated the Corbin seat. I’m 6’1” and that seat bound my knees up and after a 200 mile ride, I could barely walk. I found the stock seat in the barber flea market, and changed it out in the parking lot for the ride home. My legs thanked me! I regularly ride 500+ mile days on various motorcycles including the 88 (I have a Honda ST1300 that is my daily commuter), so I tend to have a high expectation for my comfort level. I actually just today purchased a Russell Day Long seat for my 88, so hopefully that will be an improvement over the stock seat too. I keep working my way up on comfort I guess.
Have you gotten to the bike to a point where you are “finished” with most repairs, refreshes and modifications? Surely there are a few other mods or changes you are considering?
I’d like to replace the starter with a newer, lighter weight unit. My bosch starter is old and tired, and doesn’t spin very fast. I’ve replaced brushes and bushings in it, but its still pretty tired.
I mentioned it has a wedgetail ignition. That was due to my ignition troubles with the cracked coils. I like the wedgetail.
I’ve upgraded the headlight to a pretty high output LED. I 3d printed an adapter ring in white, that accents the light nicely, and installed a standard round LED headlight made for a Jeep or something (amazon special). Also replaced the giant fog lights with stream light LED’s. All modifications I can easily change back to factory if anyone ever wanted to. I’ve kept all the parts I’ve removed or upgraded.
At some point, my rear suspension needs attention. It’s a little bouncy. I have a works shock that came with the bike that I would like to rebuild… just haven’t gotten to it. I have lots of kids, and responsibilities… and I’m finding I’m more tired these days.
I would also like to figure out a solution to the wind noise that hits my helmet. Even with ear plugs in, its very loud. I put a laminair lip on it to prevent the wind from hitting my neck and puffing up my jacket when riding, however it did not improve the noise level. I just deal with it… good ear plugs help, but it is a requirement every time I ride.
How long was the process to get the bike where it is today?
Took me about 6 months to get it on the road to where I trusted it initially. Mostly due to life obligations. I replaced the trans after about a year.
What is the appeal of an original paint, unmodified airhead?
It will only be original once!
I have a couple spots on the fairing that need attention, but I’ve left it because I don’t want a total repaint.
I wish I had left my R60 original paint, but oh well. That was a long time ago.
Is the RS a year round bike for you or do you park it in the warmer months?
I ride it until I can’t start it. Usually to BMW rally’s and planned motorcycle rides with my small network of riding friends. My ST1300 is my current commuter that I pile the miles on. I work from home, and visit customer sites and trade shows throughout the US. I ride to those sites whenever I get the opportunity!
What I mean by the first comment, anything below about 45 degrees, its hit or miss if I can start it. She’s a bit cold blooded, and I haven’t figured out why. I’ve gone through carbs and ignition multiple times, but she’s still a pain to start, even when warm. Gotta hold your mouth just right if you know what I mean. I’ve checked compression etc… and everything is in spec. I’ve just gotten used to it. I’d attribute some of it to the speed of the starter.
What’s on your radar for the next bike?
If I found a good deal on a factory R100S, that would peak my interest. Or a toaster tank R75/5. Ultimately when the kids get older, I’d like to buy a /2 or an R69s. Id like original patina and do a mechanical resto on them.
I like to work on stuff, and build stuff. I typically don’t pay to have things done. I figure if I screw something up, I can always do it over. I like learning new skills, and therefore am not afraid to tear into… well really anything.
