Frankenbeemer1I, BMW R80 GS

My nephew Elia, 2 years old, Villa Gibellini 1989

Frankenbeemer I

My nephew Elia, 15 years old, Villa Gibellini 2002

FRANKENBEEMER I, Carate Brianza, Italy, July the 20th 2002

I was so excited when I brought home my first g/s. I bought it in 84 in town close to Milan, Monza to be exact. This happened in the summer of 1984; I traded in a Yamaha RD 350 two strokes plus additional cash. If I am not mistaken it cost Lit 7,500.000, at that time it was a small fortune for a motorcycle..

Find below a picture. of the original 1984 BMW Paris Dakar R 80 G/S .

Below Frankenbeemer I, after various modifications. My wish has been to build a motorcycle that kept a semi-original look and that could be brought back to stock very quickly, at least hopefully...

The motorcycle stayed unchanged until the end of the break-in period. I was able to gather some information on how to improve the suspensions of such motorcycles by changing the front forks and the back shock. At that time, the Italian motorcycle manufacturer "Ancillotti" went bankrupt and from their inventory I was able to get a pair of Italia forks and an Ohlins shock at a great discount. The forks were installed after a bracket was welded to lower leg to install the original caliper.. The Ohlins shock was installed after grinding the joint to achieve a higher inclination. The result was a motorcycle with better suspension travel even if, by raising the back shaft/swing arm, the back wheel moved towards the front wheel making the motorcycle unstable. The feeling was that of a chopper.....
It was then that I elongated the back shaft and swing arm, switched the Italia forks for two upside down Showa and decided on a pair of Marzocchi Magum (45 mm). These parts were gathered by my friend Marco Bosi.. The Ohlins shock was elongated and the spring substituted with a harder one, because of the change in leverage of the back suspension.

FRAME

The main frame stayed untouched without reinforcements. The back frame was reinforced and prepared for carrying extra weight and the side bags. To be noted are the brackets that connect the two frames for the cases. This was done to avoid a possible flexion under heavy weight.
: The aluminum box which is under the seat was made to substitute the small plastic original container. The seat, a Corbin gunfighter from a 100gs, was upholstered on a g/s seat base to fit properly on the bike. The seat is of course very comfortable for long trips.

ENGINE: The engine kit is a 1045, by CC products (San Jose BMW) with forged high compressions pistons. The cylinders were honed to install such pistons. I had to give up the the Nikasil plating...!!!
The twin spark conversion (doppelzündung), as well as the installation of two larger intake and exhaust valves plus the lead free conversion were done by San Jose BMW (California) too.

CARBS: The carbs are the classic 40 mm. Bings taken by a BMW 100 RT. The oil filter is a free flow type, K&N.


SUSPENSIONS: The front forks are 45 mm. Marzocchi Magnum with harder springs to withhold the weight of the motorcycle and mine too!!. They are from a KTM and fit to carry a floating disk of 260 mm and a 4 pistons Brembo caliper.; A longer Ohlins than stock is installed in the back. It has a harder spring; The back brake is the HPN kit wit a cable and a floating cam. It eliminates the locking of the wheel when the suspension is compressed and also the annoying pulsing sensation with severe braking.

EXHAUST: The exhaust is a complete stainless steel two into two. It was made by the British Keihan and had a 10 years warranty.

CASES: The cases are two panniers manufactured by Goetz. They were purchased at Hein Gericke in Germany. The inside of the panniers have been lined with grey felter to eliminate oxidation and the possible dirt generated by the oxidation..
: An additional small tank (1/2 a gallon) has been attached to the the left pannier.

OTHER: The cockpit is a Touratech IMO-300 (Italian language version). A technical jewel and it works incredibly well if you connect it right.; A connection to install heated grips and vest have been set up, plus a GPS mounting and a new stop (led type) by Touratech.; The fairing was modified to house the stock light and a protection grill. Two additional lights were fit on the cylinder guards. They are connected to the high beam switch. They are made by Wella and have sturdy protection grills against rocks.; A R 100 Paris Dakar skid plate with a spoiler were added. A central collector protection plate was installed to the central side stand.

Other improvements?: A TAG swing arm and a disk brake system.

Why Frankenbeemer?: See Frankenbeemer II

Many thanks: Many thanks to my mother who helped me 20 years ago to buy this beauty. Thanks to my nephew Elia for the pictures on the bike as well my Tati for the "cool" pic on the index page.

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