Any 1 own a bw 200?Just bought 1 and have some questions?

[sugarhead]

I need some questions answered that no 1 can give me on other sites.It doesnt seem like any 1 knows what it is does any 1 even know what they got between there legs anymore lol.Anyway thanks for the replies

[Vealmonkey]

I'll help if I can. There is also a bw forum on yahoo. I have an 85 bw200, kick start only.

[sugarhead]

Yeah the lights went out after putting the bulbs in for a minute.What concerns me is the head gasket is leaking oil,I didnt see it the guy coverered it up w high heat krylon bbq paint.Anyway what would cause this ?was the bike overheated,or just years of heat cycles.I just hope it doesnt get expensive as the bike isnt worth alot of money as it is.I figure its a rare bike you dont see every day and will fix the brakes,find the short or bad switch w the lights .Im not a mechanic and wonders what this is gonna cost me,If I get it apart I will change the valves guides,etc.yeah I sprayed carb cleaner on it and when I got to the timing chain on left hand side it died out which is too me a bad air leak. Can this head be milled or am I totally crumbsnatched and F*CKED.I was thinking of sticking a lifan engine in it if the cost goes over a grand.I thought these air cooled jobbies were stone hammer reliable?

[Vealmonkey]

The bulbs blowing is probably the voltage regulator. As for the head gasket, if it's the original one, which it probably is, it's 25 years old and you can't expect them to last forever. Also, who knows how well the previous owners took care of the bike. Replace the head gasket. Make sure to change your oil and the oil filter. Clean your foam air filter and re-oil. Make sure front and rear brakes are adjusted properly. Check to make sure your front and rear axle bearings are in good shape. Check and make sure your chains are in good shape, oiled and properly adjusted. And make sure to wear a helmet and have fun with your new bike. They aren't fast, but they will go through creeks, mud and snow. The cdi's, coil pulsers, and the voltage regulators are known to go bad on these bikes. Your switch is probably just fine.

[sugarhead]

Do I have to change the base gasket too?Thanks for the info I dont mind taking it an supporting the dealership every now and then but I cant farm the whole thing out.

[Vealmonkey]

yep, you sure do have to change the base gasket as well.