Ok so the next entry was going to be about cleaning and refurbing, but it occurred to me that I haven’t mentioned anything about resources. I don’t recommend anyone wade into a project like this without some workshop manuals. I have bought both the Haynes Manual on BMW twins and the (much thicker) Clymer manual. Both of these are great and contain a lot of information, particularly when you consider that they cover nearly 20 years of bikes. The Clymer manual is more detailed and if I was only getting one it’d probably be the one. But get both. The diagrams in Clymer are sometimes a bit weird- they draw a part and it doesn’t look anything like the actual part. You can usually work out what’s going on though. My wife says “I can’t believe you’re reading that boring text book again!”
It should be mentioned that there are details that are not covered in either of these manuals. This is where the invaluable resources of internet forums and groups comes in. I’m a member of the Airheads Down Under Facebook group and the more international Airheads group. Also, the ADVRider website forum is very active and there are many helpful people.
Snowbum’s website is a wealth of incredible airhead detail. I suggest you spend many hours reading it. http://bmwmotorcycletech.info
Another favourite website is Brook’s Airhead Garage (https://brook.reams.me). Many of the techniques I use have been directly lifted from Brook’s site and indeed his site was the inspiration for this site! Thanks Brook!
There is a legendary technical manual called Oaks Top End Manual (Oak Okelshen) which apparently can still be purchased from his widow by sending cash to her (cash?! someone get this lady a paypal account). This is difficult for those of us not in the United States. I haven’t seen this manual but if anyone has a digital copy please feel free to drop me a line.