Hi,

A mate has recently picked up a K100RT and has tasked me with getting it going for him.

At the moment, it doesnt quite start but has been sitting for a while, when I tried to start it yesterday, it fired a couple times but wouldn't get going, im fairly confident if I drain the old fuel out and put some new fuel in it, it should hopefully start.

If anyone has any pointers on easy fuel tank removal or how to drain the tank without removal that would be awesome!

The other major problem I can see with the bike is the clutch seems to be seized.

You cannot pull the hand clutch lever back more than approx 5mm.
I think it is seized inside the clutch housing, as when you try operate the hand lever you can see the clutch arm at the back of the gearbox trying to move but thats where it appears to be stopping.

Bike details
K100RT 
Build date 03/1987
Frame No. 0093954 K100RT
Aus. Compliance plate no. 550402

Any help or ideas would be appreciated, im hoping to get to the bike in the next few hours to have a go at trying to get it ride-able again.

Thanks again!
Chris

K100RT had a side stand interlock on the clutch.  If you have the bike on the side stand it will be hard to pull the lever.  Check that first.

Hi Chris welKome to our Knuthaus.
The problem doesn't ring any bells as to a common problem and usually the clutch mechanism is fairly good, but and there are lots of buts.
Release the cable from the lower end, you should be able to get a lever in and under the arm to move it upward. If you get the cable off then try to move the arm and it should move freely but the roller needle bearings do sometimes seize. They have a hard life down there.
If the arm is free then remove the rubber boot and check out the throwout bearing.
Also check to make sure the adjuster bolt has not over ridden the throwout and jammed.
See the PM I have sent.

+1 on what Rick said. Early in my Bricks life in an effort to stop problems I fitted a grease nipple to the clutch arm. A squirt of grease occasionally will stop the ingress of water and road crap. You also need to lube the nipples at both ends and the wear surfaces and pivot on the clutch lever. Also check that the lever is not worn and rubbing on the cable.
Regards Martin.

kioolt wrote:K100RT had a side stand interlock on the clutch.  If you have the bike on the side stand it will be hard to pull the lever.  Check that first.

Hmmm, after a little research on this particular stand/clutch device, I think I better check this one first as I didn't realise this bike had this kind of interlock device.
I'm hoping this will remedy the problem, fingers crossed!

Failing that I shall try all the other suggested remedies. 

Thank you all so much for you input, it is hugely appreciated!

Ill keep you posted on my progress

The beast!

A siphon will remove most of the fuel from the tank to facilitate removing it from the bike.

kioolt wrote:K100RT had a side stand interlock on the clutch.  If you have the bike on the side stand it will be hard to pull the lever.  Check that first.

I am not sure it does, over here they were definitely on K100LT [my K100LT has it] but yes possible. On centre stand with side stand retracted should clear that one.

Also very likely is seized up bearings in the pivot arm.

But...from experience when I had a similar problem when I got the K100LT....cause was fraying on the cable as the gearbox end.

kioolt wrote:K100RT had a side stand interlock on the clutch.  If you have the bike on the side stand it will be hard to pull the lever.  Check that first.

It's not an interlock.  It's a side stand retractor.  When you pull in the clutch it retracts the side stand so that you don't inadvertently ride off with the side stand down which can be troublesome on left hand turns. You are correct in that it doesn't let you pull in the clutch when the bike is leaning on the side stand.

duck wrote:

kioolt wrote:K100RT had a side stand interlock on the clutch.  If you have the bike on the side stand it will be hard to pull the lever.  Check that first.

It's not an interlock.  It's a side stand retractor.  When you pull in the clutch it retracts the side stand so that you don't inadvertently ride off with the side stand down which can be troublesome on left hand turns.

Chris this is a mechanical thing and its on my K100LT. If side stand is down with bike weight on it you will not get clutch action and will behave exactly as you describe.

I did keep that lubed up on the K100LT and worked brilliantly but its very prone to corrosion related seizing in our climate.

Some Brickers have experienced broken cables or pulled off cable nipples caused by pulling in the clutch with the side stand down. The two times I have loaned out my cable to mates was for this reason. Both bikes were K75s's.
Regards Martin.

Ok so im at the bike now and it was just the side stand down preventing the clutch handle from being functional.
Once i kicked the stand up the clutch operates fine.

Thank you for all the suggestions

Next to see if I can get it running!

If only all fixes were that easy.

+1

good to hear chris ///good luck with the start process

believe me ....don't even attempt it till your sure the battery is at a good charge ,,,  if in doubt put it on a tender - charger at least overnight

the starter relay can weld if you have a low charge , additionally  the good voltage of a recently charged battery helps electronics work its best

good luck !

After draining the tank, putting some fresh fuel in and a new battery, the old bike started after not too much dramas.
My mate was pretty happy with the success, I was pretty happy with the minimal stuff arounds........... If only they were all like that!

Thanks again everyone for the much appreciated input and advice, I would probably still be scratching my head over that clutch lever and side stand if it wasn't for the help.

Happy motorcycling