Umbra is my 1998 BMW R1100RT. This year: brake lines, battery, tire remounted on a new rim, and a new starter. The Hall effect sensor still hasn't been replaced; it's still on the list. Then the clutch gave up in August 2026 and she rode home in the truck. She's on hold until she gets a full inspection, including tracking down a gas smell.
1998 BMW R1100RT (Umbra): Build Log, Repairs and Fixes
Build
Build
1998 BMW R1100RT New Rim and Battery: Fuel Pump Primes, Won't Crank
Old rim had problems, so the tire went on a new one. New battery in. Fuel pump primes, display lights up. Engine won't crank yet.
2026-04-10 Read the post →
Build
1998 BMW R1100RT Headlight Bulb Upgrade: Brightest Yet
Main headlight bulb on Umbra is upgraded and it's bright as hell. Heated grip connections are there too.
2026-04-10 Read the post →Maintenance and Fixes
Maintenance
1998 BMW R1100RT Rear Brake Hose Replacement (and a Leaking New Line)
Swapping the rear brake hose on Umbra, my R1100RT, for a Spiegler line: parts to save off the old hose, the rubber spacer, seating the line, and two leaks on bleeding.
2026-04-14 Read the post →
Maintenance
1998 BMW R1100RT Hall Effect Sensor (Still Pending), Spark Plugs, and Starter: The Reliability Plan
Getting Umbra, my R1100RT, running cheap first, then reliability upgrades. The Hall effect sensor is 99% bad, plugs need doing, and a new starter is going in. Update, Nov 2026: the Hall sensor still hasn't been replaced; it's still on the list.
2026-04-10 Read the post →
Maintenance
1998 BMW R1100RT Rear Brake Pedal Adjustment
Took the lowering kit off the peg, so the brake pedal needed readjusting.
2024-08-14 Read the post →
Maintenance
1998 BMW R1100RT Gets Its First Wash
Nearly a year of ownership. First wash.
2022-09-17 Read the post →Rides
Status Updates and Reviews
Status
1998 BMW R1100RT Project On Hold: Clutch Is Fried
The clutch on the R1100RT is fried. Project is on hold until the bike gets a full inspection for a gas smell.
2026-10-31 Read the post →
Status
1998 BMW R1100RT Clutch Failure on the Road, and the Tow Home
Umbra's clutch gave up on the road just past the airport, the mirror broke too, and the R1100RT rode home in the back of the truck.
2026-08-29 Read the post →
Status
1998 BMW R1100RT Walkaround: An Introduction to My Bike
Showing off the BMW. Bigger battery after modding the tray, heated grips, hazards, and a picky ABS.
2022-09-24 Read the post →
Status
1998 BMW R1100RT Tire Change Saga: No Shop in Topeka Would Do It
New tires for the BMW showed up. No place in Topeka would change them.
2022-09-18 Read the post →
Status
1998 BMW R1100RT Electrical Gremlins: Next Stage of Problems
It was only a matter of time. Chasing BMW electrical gremlins.
2022-09-17 Read the post →
Status
Update: From a Honda Shadow to a 1998 BMW R1100RT
Been about a year. Moved north, the Honda went to a friend, and now I'm riding a BMW R1100RT.
2022-01-25 Read the post →