Got an invite to visit a long-time friend of the Marque so took the opportunity to ride the R100S and show it off. I was outclassed...
Paul has been involved with Airhead BMWs for a few decades -joined MOA the year the organization was formed- and was prepping his highly modified "sled" for his annual late-February gathering of the clan in Big Bend National Park, Texas. This huge desert landscape borders Mexico and is larger than the State of Rhode Island -1252 sq mi vs 1215 sq mi. It's home to rattlesnakes, horned toads, scorching heat, banditos con pistoles, and the Terlingua Chili Cook-Off. Plus the occasional crowd of insane motorcyclists that find pleasure in 100+mph speeds on gravel, single track trails. BTW, emergency services can be hours away...even by air.
Paul's lengthened wheelbase trail runner still carried the dust from last year's adventure. After a week in the Bend, I noticed his air filter was completely wasted. The bike wears it's scars but still makes grown men whimper if they try to keep pace.
The bike has a custom built swing arm to handle the lengthened drive shaft. All the required bits were designed and machined by Paul and a couple of his certifiable cohorts.
The front triple clamps are modified to accept the hefty fork legs sourced from a different branded bike. Diamond-plate aluminum is welded to the rocker covers as a safety precaution. Both sides show their wounds and worth.
Custom lengthened driveshaft along with a completely new swingarm and a cable-operated rear brake. Vinyl booties cover the full length of the twin shocks. Shorty, spark arrestor mufflers barely control the exhaust note.
The tasty, red sidehack rig began life as a R50/5 but now has an R90/6 engine with a Jawa car. The British Avon fairing neatly matches the lines of the Jawa. Looks factory.
Kermit usually rides in the side car. Paul says the local college girls wave at him.
Him may be Kermit...I'm thinking.
There's also a lovely R100RT squeezed in along with two complete Airhead engines, another Airhead rebuild with parts awaiting assembly, spare wheels and thousands of Airhead pieces parts n' bits squirreled away.
As I was gearing up to leave, Paul told me, "If you need any parts, lemme know." What was it that Terminator said?
"I'll be Bach."
