2004 R1100S Crash Advice

slater98 · 03-25-2007, 10:54 AM

I'm looking at purchasing a 2004 R1100S that was low sided and then came to rest under a guardrail (some front end involvement). I have a couple of questions:

1. In looking at the bike from the rear, it appears that the rear tire is slightly offset from the bodywork. Is that normal, maybe from the single sided swingarm, or should I worry about frame damage (other damage doesn't seem to indicate frame damage)?

2. Where can I find, and how difficult will it be to find fairing pieces, headlamps etc at reasonable prices?

Thanks for any help and advice. This would be my first BMW motorcycle, and I'm kind of excited about the possibility.

Mike

Dbltailexit · 03-25-2007, 12:15 PM

Hi Mike welcome to the forum. Finishing up my 04 from a crash. You do need an onsite expert advice on alignment, bent frames, etc. Where are you located would help others to direct you. Parts are not cheap, New alum. frame that supports the front plastic was $ 500 etc. Do a search and find Bobs and Beemerparts.
Great bikes, worth bringing back to the road. ingmar

slater98 · 03-25-2007, 12:19 PM

Thanks ingmar. I'm in New York, Dutchess County. I'm seeing that new parts are expensive. I would be happy to do what is absolutely neccessary to get it roadworthy, and then look for used parts to come along to get it back to near perfect.

Also, the handlebars are slightly off, as in, they are turned when the wheel is straight. Could that be an adjustment, or a repair or replace?

X-Triple · X-Triple's Garage

I have a new set of factory cans if you need them. They are free but you would have to pay for the shipping.

Best,
-X

slater98 · 03-25-2007, 12:23 PM

Thanks X, a very generous offer, but the exhaust appears unharmed, so I will let someone else with a need take advantage of your offer. Also, I have not 100% decided to pull the trigger on this bike. I'm worried that if the frame is bent, this project will not be worthwhile financially.

Bob Hancock · 03-25-2007, 01:48 PM

I wouldn't wanna deal with it unless I could take it to someone like GMD computrack and have them check out the basics. Since it's currently a buyers market for these bikes, you can spend more than it's worth on the market real quick. Plus, if it's twisted in the front, then you gotta do something to be sure the Telelever front end is straight. Paralever ain't cheap gravy either. I don't know how to do that. Do you? It may be a great fixer.... may just be a parts bike. Speaking of which, there was one of those on the pelican classified site. Check it out and maybe you can get bits off the parts bike for nickels on the dollar. Good luck and be careful.

slater98 · 03-25-2007, 01:58 PM

Hey Bob, thanks for the advice. I don't have the technical expertise to do much beyond bolt on, bolt off. I would love to learn, and was thinking this might be a way to do that.

I see an '02 that is being parted. Are those parts interchangeable?

I wonder if parting it out would be a good way to learn, and possibly at least a little lucrative in the process?

AndrewA · 02:03 PM

Slater74h,

There are four (4) "frames" that can get damaged relatively easily:

The good news is that everything is modular (except for the main frame tabs which can be welded).

Front fairing frame - almost always, even after a simple parking lot tip-over, will be bent. These are almost impossible to straighten, and should be purchased new (not used) to ensure that everything lines-up.

Front Sub-frame: This is the black piece in front of the fuel tank that the steering stem goes through. Examine this for broken steering stops, which break very easily. If the steering stops are damaged, it is not crucial to fix immediately.

Rear Sub-frame: This is what holds up the rear of the bike (seat, exhaust...) These can bend easily if hit just right. This could explain why the rear of the bike looks "offset" from the tire. Also, there is something like a 1/2" offset between the front and rear whelels).

Finally, the tabs that hold the real sub-frame to the main frame: these tabs can develop hair-line cracks, and may appear fine at first glance.

Do a search here on "sub frame tabs".

If the bike has a Salvage title, the first thing that you should do is verify with your DMV what is required to do to the bike in order to get it back on the road.

You can literally spend as much energy doing paperwork and getting inspections as you do actually fixing the bike.

You can easily spend $2-$3k repairing one of these bike to DMV specifications, so be careful. Fork damage, telelever damage, tank replacement....are all really expensive.

Good luck!

Flatbutt1 · 03-25-2007, 02:02 PM

you need to check out the frame mount tabs on the engine rear. Make sure they aren't cracked.

slater98 · 03-25-2007, 02:17 PM

Thanks Andrew and Flatbutt for taking the time to give me some valuable needed advice.

The title is clean and clear, which helps. The tank appears undamaged, but the clasp that hold the fairings seems a little off. I'll do some more research on the tabs and be sure to take a closer look if I decide to go take another look. He hasn't responded to my email offer, which is SLIGHTLY less than what his "bottom line" was.

Seventies Man · 03-25-2007, 02:42 PM

Slater, In a somewhat low key way (partly because I don't want o sell it) I am trying to find a buyer for my 04 in pristine condition still warranteed. i may have a serious buyer from vermont though he hasn't looked at it yet, and it will be in MOA in May. 11,000 miles going for 8,800 with bag mounts and new rubber. So consider , I payed 12,500 in 2/05 and have treated it gently. -Martin

slater98 · 03-25-2007, 03:04 PM

Hey Martin, Thanks for the offer, info. Now, the offers for this bike are starting to go up, and I'm now leaning away from making this purchase, so I'm going to let the cat out of the bag.

Bike has under 5K miles, could buy for $3500 or thereabouts. Any more thoughts with these numbers in mind, and that it has clean and clear title and passed inspection 2 miles before the crash.

AndrewA · 03-25-2007, 03:37 PM

What color is it?

slater98 · 03-25-2007, 03:38 PM

the gray and yellow, which I liked more in person than in pictures

SSSSSS · 03-25-2007, 04:09 PM

Dutchess County? Where abouts? I'm in Beacon. I have an 03 Replika that I picked up a couple of years ago for $8,100.00 with only 3,200 miles. For some reason the 1100S does not really hold it's value (just an observation). Sounds like the bike you're looking at would cost more then that to get on the road and you'd still have a salvage title (sucks for resale). Shop around and you'll find a bike that has not been wrecked for not a bunch of money. Be patient since you're right in the heart of buying season. If I can help you out let me know.

slater98 · 03-25-2007, 04:14 PM

Hey SSSSS, I'm in Hyde Park/Staatsburg, bike is in Hurley (Ulster County). It has a clean and clear title, and I was thinking that if I could have it road worthy for $1000-$1500, plus $3500 purchase price, I'd be in good shape. I actually have been partial to yamaha all along, and although I have only ridden one BMW, if I was going to spend $7K or more, I'd probably get into another newish R1.

AndrewA · 03-25-2007, 04:19 PM

You should probably get the R1.

slater98 · 03-25-2007, 04:23 PM

Andrew, looks like you have experience with both, but was surprised to get that advice on a BMW board. Why do you say?

SSSSSS · 03-25-2007, 04:38 PM

I suppose if the bike has a clear title and you think you can do the repairs for $1500.00 you'd be in good shape. It could turn into a money pit if you're not careful. Ebay is always a good source of parts. There is a guy on there right now selling all the body work for an S. The R1 is sweet but it's a different animal. Maybe I'll see you on the road. Pete

slater98 · 03-25-2007, 04:47 PM

yeah, I have no idea on the price to get it roadworthy, would depend on those frame and subframe pieces I think the most. I just moved back to the area after 6.5 years in Florida, so if I get a bike, I'm sure I'll be looking for advice and people to ride with. Mike.