BMW 1981 R100RT Fuel Requirements

I have recently bought an 81 R100/RT I had been under the impression
that they came valves sufficently hardened for unleaded fuel, but I've
since seen and heard differently. In short, should I be using lead
substitute with every x number of fill-ups ?

The guy I bought it from only had it for a short while but he said he
used unleaded gas in it. Anyone have any experience running an old
beemer on unleaded?

image here --> http://martin-english.com/images/snap0041.jpg
Apologies for the poor quality - its a phone camera.

 

If you use "flashlube" with your unleaded you will have no problems. Ran my
old VW (same principles - horizontally opposed, air cooled, soft seats) for
years with no dramas. I bought flashlube by the litre and it worked out at
about 1 cent a litre extra for petrol. The ratio is 1ml per litre of fuel so
it is fairly economical.

Other option is to spend a gazillion (+/- 5 cents) and have the heads
reworked.

 

I have a 81 R100 base model and when I restored her a couple or 5 years ago
I had hardened seats fitted, they're not standard .I spent over 5K on the
resto. wonderfull motorcycle and money well spent, she's worth at least 4.5K
now

Capt. A. L.