Vibration and Final Drive Lash

[tngarren]

I was able to ride my '21 Classic salvage project today. Really fun. Bike is full of character, plenty of power, love the shake, corners surprisingly well, oddly coasts better than any bike I've owned. So enjoyable to ride something you don't see very often. A couple questions -

Engine is smooth up to 2,700, then pretty vibey 2,700 -3,200. Then smooths out again. Normal?

When rolling along slowly in lower gear, then begin to accelerate, I can occasionally hear/feel a single knock from somewhere around the final drive. Sounds like some lash between the shaft and right-angle gear box. I've had a couple RTs and never heard this before? Normal?

Also, side covers say First Edition. But no pin striping or extra chrome. Bilke does have reverser. cruise control, and heated grips. Can it be a First Edition?

Please overlook my bondo/paint work on the rear fender and coil covers. I'm still learning.

Best to you.

 

[oldslodog]

Don't know for sure on the side cover pinstripe although mine has none. My motor seems happy 25-2800 rpms. I don't like revving mine to tite but am a retired engine mechanic. I ran mine to 115 mph today, still pulling hard. Not sure on the rpm's though. I ride with no windshield and was holding on tite.

 

[LockieP]

Good job on the bike.
Side covers never had pin striping but tank & rear fender do on 1st Editions.
With the side covers be very careful to make sure they are properly reattached should you remove them. Several of us here have lost one (usually the right side) & they are around $100 unpainted from BMW.

 

[tngarren]

My apologies. I did not mean to imply pin strip on the side covers. My side covers are labeled First Edition but no pin stripping on tank and fenders. It does have a reverser, heated grips, and cruise control. Did BMW sell a Classic First Edition without pin stripping, or did someone swap the original side covers for First Edition covers?

 

[Rufus]

Think the words ‘salvage and project’ have answered it for you really. It’s been personalised a bit by the previous owner(s). BMW could tell you exactly what it was from the VIN if you really want to know. Regarding the lash, that sounds normal to me, there has to be some and if the bike is rolling along with absolutely no load I suppose you could induce/hear a clonk. When my bike is at home on its stand (rear wheel off the floor) the rear wheel clunks if rolled back & forth. I’ve had many shaft driven bikes and they are all like this. Vibrations…yep…if you ride it in the sweet spot it’s silky, rev it out it’s like a jack hammer, adds to the visceral experience