BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Hi All

I have just bought my first BMW, a 1996 R850R. It has 60k on it. I have not ridden it yet, bought it as a project. I have just replaced the stock shocks with used WP items. Can anyone give me tips, hints with this bike there does not seem to be much info out the for the 850.

To date it has taken approx 15hours to get her back looking like this.

Still have a few things to do, service, replace front brake fluid and new mirrors.

Hi and welcome.

You can post your new bike info in the R1100R section, as your R850R is identical to the R1100R with exception of piston bore and final drive gear ratio. Every mechanical and electrical aspect of the R1100R is relevant to your bike. And given that fact, you will find some great info here (in R1100R section) posted by long-time owners with experience and know-how.

And since the 850/1100 series shares many similarities with the 850/1150 series (yes, there was an 850cc version of the latter oilhead series available in other parts of the world), you can certainly find relevant info in this board's namesake section.

I purchased a 1996 R850R as my first BMW bike (shown below), the first of six so far after becoming a fan of the marque.

Welcome! BTW, where did you find that floor stand? I would like to get something similar for my R12R. Thank you.

Hi and welcome.

I hope you enjoy your R850R as much as I have enjoyed mine.

Mine is the same colour, a 1998 model, and has done over 114 thousand kilometres.

BTW, is that a Pommie tax disc holder I see in the pic?

Also, BTW, if you want/need a Users Manual for the R1100R/R850R, PM me.

regards,CrazyCam

Thanks guys, looking foreword to getting out on her now. The bike is an Irish bike. Any Idea how I can move my post the the 1100 forum?

I got the stand from a local shop Extreme 45 it was approx 150

Nice looking bike!

This might help you out a little: http://www.ketchum.org/BMWmc/R1100.pdf

Why did you replace the shocks? I'm curious because my bike has similar mileage. Maybe mine are worn out also?

Haynes and Clymer make workshop manuals the R1100/R850 (at least I know Haynes does). Might be worth the read.

You can also get OEM Service Manuals, but have heard they can be confusing to use.

Parts sources (since you're in the UK):

motorworks.co.uk
motobins.co.uk

Previous PDF link seems a good read (thanks combatcarry!)


Good luck!

Cheers,
Awfers

It took some searching but here is another document on adjusting the valves (its a pretty funny read). I had to get it by using the wayback machine so you might want to save it before its gone forever:
http://web.archive.org/web/200701240917 ... ummies.pdf

I just bought a R850R basket case for something to do for the remainder of the winter.
This one is really beaten up....

You can see the pics here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/BigBabyG/R850RProject#

It will be delivered on Tuesday.

Hmmmm tubless cross spoke wheels, questionable cosmetics....am I the only person seeing GS lite here

boxermoose wrote:Hmmmm tubless cross spoke wheels, questionable cosmetics....am I the only person seeing GS lite here

Yes.

What about a r850r cafe racer? Would look mega!

boxermoose wrote:Hmmmm tubless cross spoke wheels, questionable cosmetics....am I the only person seeing GS lite here

Yes in deed. But if they are the same size as the cast wheels I haven't been able to find a D/S tire to fit them.

Anyone have any leads?

The street tires get weird on the gravel!!

Any updates about the tyres?

I was looking at Pirelli MT60 and Heidenau K60 for the back.
For the front I didn't find anything yet.

combatcarry wrote:Nice looking bike!

This might help you out a little: http://www.ketchum.org/BMWmc/R1100.pdf

Why did you replace the shocks? I'm curious because my bike has similar mileage. Maybe mine are worn out also?

Shocks are usually shot after 30,000 miles, put some new shocks on your ride and you will have wished you did it sooner.