Hello all,new on here,just bought a 1984 k100rt,got it as a non runner/ish,it would idle but not rev,the previous owner wouldnt spend any more so gave it to the mechanic as payment,I bought it from him for what it owed him in time spent,he advised me that it was 99% definate that the air flow meter was at fault,I priced them up,phew!!£468!!! Managed to score a used one for £15,fitted it and away it went,straight through its mot,no advisories,it runs fine and I,m pretty pleased with it,the trouble is while I am a major fan of BMWs,its always been a boxer,first time ive owned a K,went out for a run two up on sunday,quite a warm day but not sweltering,after a run of about 20 miles the temp light came on as did the fan,the light went straight out again and the fan stayed on for no more than 5 seconds,is it normal for the light to come on or is the fan kicking in too late? I,m not particularly mechanically minded,and am always a little paranoid with engine temp!!! Also will the fan stay on with the ignition off,say after a long run or is it wise to let it run till the fan turns off? Amy advice greatly appreciated,kind regards,Colin.

Hi Colin and welcome.

Might be worth checking this post:
http://k100rt.aforumfree.com/electrical-f8/oh-dear-and-now-temp-issues-k100-rs-t829.htm
to see if that gives you any clues.

I have not had the temp light come on but the fan plenty of times and it cuts in and out as it should but only in slow conditions like below 30km/h.

As for not being too mechanically minded, replacing the air flow meter would be no mean feat so you have done well in that regard.

Best thing you can do is go through all the electrical connections relating to the fan and temp sensor and clean and de-oxit them aside from checking the obvious things like coolant level in the radiator etc.

Thanks for the reply,have spoken to a chap near me,he's owned one for years,his advice was,and I quote,"Quite normal for the light to come on,as long as the fan does too! Worry if the light comes on and stays on!!"

The temperature light should not come on.
The fan should start before the engine reaches the critical temperature and be powerful enough to cool it down.
I suspect that the fan may not be turning at full speed. This is quite common and requires to remove it for a good cleaning/lubricating.
Unless you use the bike in town or heavy traffic, the fan rarely starts on a K100. The fan assembly is not waterproof, and after years of just sitting without turning it doesn't turn freely anymore. The electric motor doesn't have the power to spin it at full speed. The electrical motor overheat and the support for the brushes starts to melt.

Bert

I totally agree with Bert, the light should not come on the fan should cycle on and off in heavy crawling traffic but no light, the light coming on means the fan is not keeping the motor cool enough.
Regards,
K-BIKE

the fan runs at 4400 rpm and will make a reasonable amount of noise. In my case it ran at 1200 or so, causing the light to come on.

The fan motor is available from Bosch at AU$100 or so. I got one from the wreckers for $75 including a very good radiator.

I've had a very inetersting problem a year ago - if the bike stays for a longer time with engine on, but the lights off, the lamp turns on and a couple of seconds later the fan starts up. But when the lights are on, the warn light never comes on, just the fan starts. Haven't tried it this year, but I guess I have got a ghost in my engine

Hi Vudis,
I have to say I have the lights on because that's the law so I have never tried what you suggest but will do.
Regards,
K-BIKE

Yes, we have the same law. But, as I said, not sure if this problem still exists, because, afetr cleaning battery and wires' connections, a number of problems dissapeared.

PS Where to get vegemite?

Try contacting the NZ Consulate closest to you ask for the trade section and ask them, they should be able to tell you.
Regards,
K-BIKE

Hi Vudis if you have no luck re Vegemite just send me a pm and I should be able to send you some.

Us whingin poms prefer Marmite

The BIG PROBLEM (and yes I am shouting) is they are changing or even have changed the formulation of Marmite so it does not taste like it used to. Shooting them would be too easy a punishment something really serious is called for like hanging drawing and quartering
Regards,
K-BIKE

Gee what's worse?

An oil thread or a Vegemite versus Marmite thread?

Wait'll they get started on the new generation cheesy Vegemite!

We want to be careful here as Bert will lock this post down as he thought arguing about football was bad, little did he know

But don't get me started on cheesymite and then there is also Promite and Mightymite ..... now what did we start talking about and how do we cunningly turn it back

I had no clue of what Vegemite is.
After reading that it is a dark brown Australian food paste made from used brewers' yeast extract, I right away got the preconceived opinion that it should generate flatulences.

In the rest of the world we are simply using a very common vegetable for the same purpose: Onion.
It can generate flatulence with an average content of 20–90% Nitrogen, 0–50% Hydrogen, 10–30% Carbon dioxide, 0–10% Oxygen and 0–10% Methane.
Why is Australia the 3rd producer of onions in the world? Are you mixing onions and Vegemite to make it an explosive concoction.
Are you adding Vegemite and onions in your gas tank to boost the level of octane? In what proportion are you mixing it?

I would be very worry about using it on my bike. It may produce an intense vibrations of the exhaust valves commonly known as passing gas. This may be an alternative to get the nice sound of a Remus exhaust without have to spend a lot of money.

It's early in the morning and I am just getting in the mood to go for a short ride...

Bert

I am pretty sure it is made from fermented boot polish and is an acquired taste for sure but as for running the bike on it the black stain around the exhaust is an unfortunate side effect.

Drat, Le Grenouille Folle is onto our secret!

We Aussies grow up on Vegemite, it's main benefit simply being Folic Acid (vitamin B), a most necessary nutrient. Incidentally, the US FDA recently banned it from being imported because of a perceived danger of overdose. Believe me, no one could or would eat too much. You'd have to consume a 500 gram jarful of the thick, salty-flavoured paste, every single day for over a year to reach the 'unsafe' level. The ban was lifted once they saw the error of their ways. BTW, flatulence is never an issue with Vegemite.

This tune is what you too, if you'd lived in The Lucky Country in the olden days, would've known by heart as well!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yA98MujNeM&feature=related

or this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aix0cEp0N_0&NR=1

or this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJJIruNRMqA&NR=1

Vegemite, Internationally misunderstood:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6GCmpxo1JM&feature=related