BMW K bikes (Bricks)


You are not connected. Please login or register

View previous topic View next topic Go down  Message [Page 1 of 1]


1Back to top Go down   greetings from  Cape Coral Florida Empty greetings from Cape Coral Florida Sun Apr 12, 2015 1:50 pm

Bill Di

Bill Di
active member
active member
A little about myself,
Im 54 years old and have been riding my entire life
My first K Bike was in 1985 when I was 25 and bought the K100 in Red, loved that bike but from what I recall I rode it home in the rain the day I bought it from AMOL Motorcycles in NJ, where I lived at the time.  I remember it was 5000 which was all the money I had in the world.   I dont remember why I sold it, or under what circumstances, but most certainly it was for another bike.  Ive had lots of bikes, to many to remember, and loved all of them (well, with the exception of a few Im sure,,lol)  Anyway,,,,,,,,,, my second K bike as from the same dealership in 1994.  I bought a two year left over K75RT( a 92 model year, but brand spankin new) which I liked as well, but I recall a few quirks with the bike that I learned to live with .  IE,  High seat height, ( Im 5 ft 5 , so,,,, )  The ABS was constantly malfuctioning,, lol, the instruments in general always give me trouble. All in all  I loved that blue bike, and rode it for 10 k miles as I have always been a recreational rider, never for commuting.  Well a million years later, I just bought(yesterday) a 1989 K100 RS, which I found on ,, of all places,, Craigslist,
its very clean, and for the most part everything works,,,with the exception,,, and what a surpise  ,,,, the speedometer, and the gear position indicator are inop.  LOL  funny full circle.Seems the bike was well taken care of, and was given lots of love.  The seat is a Corbin, which I do not like. made of leather, leather and Florida do not work. Also the mirrors were installed very poorly with sheet metal screws. Ill take care of that shortly  The bike is showing 66 K miles . Here in Fla, mileage is exempt on a motorcycle and older cars, with no iinspection , hard to really determine whats original and whats not.  Again the bike is in , what I think is exceptional condition and the engine runs as if it were "better than new"  It is also fitted with an Olins rear shock, with reservoir, which Im sure I have to deal with  the seat height again, its a little to high for me, Im on my tippy toes when I stop and it makes parking at low speeds a bit of a challenge.
couple of quesitons,,:
did the wheels come color matched to the bike? or did someone,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ya know
(good job if they did)
and I checked the sensor at the diff, and the connector for the sender for the speed , all seem ok, should I get a cluster? /circuit board? if so where???or is there another fix I should look iinto

again, thanks in advance, and I hope the questions are ok in this portion,
 and hope to be having conversations with some of the members here.
greetings from  Cape Coral Florida 20150412_111609_zpslseylo5t
greetings from  Cape Coral Florida 20150411_173418_zpsnvawjawb

    

Dai

Dai
Life time member
Life time member
Hello Bill and welcome. I recall from a conversation somewhere else on the forum that the colour scheme of your bike is the 'early' SE version and yes, the wheels came in white. For the speedo, search the site for 'speedo'. There's quite a few threads about this problem, the majority of which conclude that taking the instrument panel apart and cleaning the contacts is a good road to a fix. It's all held together with screws so you don't have to bore your way in Very Happy


__________________________________________________
1983 K100 naked upgraded to K100LT spec after spending time as an RS and an RT
1987 K100RT
Others...
1978 Moto Guzzi 850-T3, 1979 Moto Guzzi 850-T3 California,1993 Moto Guzzi 1100ie California
2020 Royal Enfield Bullet 500
    

Comberjohn

Comberjohn
Life time member
Life time member
Welcome Bill.
As someone who is also vertically challenged I can understand your predicament.
Just sold the ultimate K, a K1600GT, because stopping was becoming too stressful with the weight and my short legs. Now have a GS and, of course, a K100.
You have several options.
The seat you have is probably similar to the BMW Comfort seat and it is a bit higher than the standard one. Might be worth trying a swop to see if it gives you enough.
There's a BMW low seat conversion available for the 8v and they appear on eBay, etc. now and again. Not sure if available new. Means doing away with side panels and a few minor mods but is very low.
There are rear shocks that are about 1" shorter than stock. The Ram shock from Realm Engineering in the UK is available in both lengths and is one of the most popular, as it was designed specifically for the K. Would mean doing away with that pretty and expensive Ohlins though.

As Dai says, all K knowledge is here. Just start using the search box and be prepared to lose many hours of your life.


__________________________________________________
Life is not a rehearsal.
2010 VFR 1200F DCT 
2010 R1200GS(gone)
1986 K100 Silver(gone)
2012 K1600GT(gone)
1984 K100RT Madison Silver(gone)
1989 K100LT Stratus Grey(gone)
1984 K100 Red(gone)
http://www.johnsdrivingschool.co
    

92KK 84WW Olaf

avatar
Life time member
Life time member
That K looks really good.

As said, looks like an SE, nice.

From what I see, you have three seat options. Comfort, Standard and Low Seat. Unfortunately the Comfort seat is exactly that, very comfortable. I had one on the LT. But then I got the RT and found the standard seat made it much more manageable in town so I accepted the trade off as its not as plush as the Comfort seat. Low seat is probably way to go, but you lose the side panels. The good news is that the Corbin seat and side panels would sell for good money. Low seat kits are around and you should be able to find one. I am 5'8" and manage just about with the standard seat but I don't get my feet flat on the ground.

Don't laugh at this but there is a 4th option recommended to me by someone who knows. Get the extra height in your boots. If you want Rolls Royce boots try AltBerg made to measure and raised, they really last well.
 http://www.altberg.co.uk/category/motorcycle-boots/ 
Or get raised soles or insoles for your boots and keep the standard seat. Any cobbler or shoe repair guy will be able to do it. Find a used seat and have it recovered and new foam by someone who will do it purpose made. There is a guy near us will do a made to measure seat for all of €100 about $110 now using your own seat.


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 48,061 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 61,190 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

indian036

indian036
Life time member
Life time member
Hi Bill, from another Bill. 

I had the same problem with height, and bought the shorter RAM shock from Realm. 
Partly due to some poor mods, and for further lowering, I had my seat rebuilt by a motorcycle seat specialist.

Overall, the combination is now a good height for me, and comfortable for a day in the saddle. 

Best wishes for your rides. 

Bill


__________________________________________________
1985 K100RT  VIN 0028991  My original Very Happy ROB the Red Old Bike   (Historic rego)
1985 K100RT  VIN 0029036  BOB the Blue Old Bike  (Historic rego)
1990 K100LT  VIN 0190452  Work in progress
1984 K100RT  VIN 0023022  Work needing lots of progress

1986 K100RT  VIN 0090542  Work needing lots and lots of progress
1993 K1100LT  VIN 0183046  Work in progress
1993 K75S  VIN 0213045  Tom the Triple (now on Historic rego too.)
    

6Back to top Go down   greetings from  Cape Coral Florida Empty Re: greetings from Cape Coral Florida Mon Apr 13, 2015 10:25 am

Bill Di

Bill Di
active member
active member
all good suggestions, and will probably opt for the seat and believe it or not the boot option,,lol
I have a pair of cycle boots that add at least an inch and a half.  Makes a huge difference.  Its very frustrating when you slow down to a near stop and you feel as if your going to drop like a jackass,,lol.  Ive always had this problem with bikes.  I kinda got used to it, but with top heavy bikes its a challenge.  Ive mastered the side saddle stop.

    

7Back to top Go down   greetings from  Cape Coral Florida Empty Re: greetings from Cape Coral Florida Mon Apr 13, 2015 10:58 am

88

88
Life time member
Life time member
Welcome along Bill, We've all learned to pick our landings carefully when riding the K. I can reach the ground ok but a pothole or even the side stand lean can get you into trouble parking! MAny have had the saddle modified to improve things and if all fails there's the low seat conversion. I am of the opinion it's the width of the bike as much as the height that makes you have to reach for the ground.

enjoy the forum.


__________________________________________________
greetings from  Cape Coral Florida Ir-log1188....May contain nuts!greetings from  Cape Coral Florida Ir-log11

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." - St. Augustine from 1600 years ago & still true!

K1 - 1989 - AKA Titan (unique K1/K1100RS hybrid by Andreas Esterhammer)
K1100RS - 1995. AKA Rudolf Von Schmurf (in a million bits)
K100RS - 1991 AKA Ronnie. Cafe racer project bike
K75RTP - 1994
K75C - 1991 AKA Jim Beam. In boxes. 
K1100LT 1992 - AKA Big Red (gone)
K100LT - 1988 - AKA the Bullion brick. Should never have sold it.
    

8Back to top Go down   greetings from  Cape Coral Florida Empty Re: greetings from Cape Coral Florida Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:21 am

Bill Di

Bill Di
active member
active member
LOL, thats so true about picking a landing spot. I find myself doing that a lot.  Its always in the back of my mind, and gravel roads are the absolute worst.  I am happy to say that in all the years of riding I only had one,,,, slight mishap regarding parking and it was with my Honda CBX which as some know is top heavy and tall.  I was parking it in my driveway and it got away from he, rather than scratch it I laid myself under the bike and took the hit, knocked the wind out of me but owner and bike were undamaged,,lol.   A few members mentioned that with the low seat you loose the side panels? is that correct?

    

9Back to top Go down   greetings from  Cape Coral Florida Empty Re: greetings from Cape Coral Florida Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:21 am

Bill Di

Bill Di
active member
active member
Bill Di wrote:LOL, thats so true about picking a landing spot. I find myself doing that a lot.  Its always in the back of my mind, and gravel roads are the absolute worst.  I am happy to say that in all the years of riding I only had one,,,, slight mishap regarding parking and it was with my Honda CBX which as some know is top heavy and tall.  I was parking it in my driveway and it got away from me, rather than scratch it I laid myself under the bike and took the hit, knocked the wind out of me but owner and bike were undamaged,,lol.   A few members mentioned that with the low seat you loose the side panels? is that correct?

    

10Back to top Go down   greetings from  Cape Coral Florida Empty Re: greetings from Cape Coral Florida Mon Apr 13, 2015 11:39 am

92KK 84WW Olaf

avatar
Life time member
Life time member
That is correct, there is more to a low seat option that just the seat. There is panel that effectively replaces the side panels and you also loose your under seat storage space.

greetings from  Cape Coral Florida K75


__________________________________________________
1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles. 
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 48,061 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 61,190 miles

Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500
    

11Back to top Go down   greetings from  Cape Coral Florida Empty Re: greetings from Cape Coral Florida Mon Apr 13, 2015 1:49 pm

Curley

Curley
Silver member
Silver member
Hi Bill, welcome to the forum.  Funny enough I just picked up a speedo cluster an hour ago from the breakers. Let me know if you are not able to source one over there.


__________________________________________________
greetings from  Cape Coral Florida Ir-log11greetings from  Cape Coral Florida Ir-log11greetings from  Cape Coral Florida Ir-log11greetings from  Cape Coral Florida Ir-log11greetings from  Cape Coral Florida Ir-log11

cheers  White K100RS 1991  cheers Red K1100LT SE 1995 cheers Green K75RT 1995 cheers Black K75s 1987  cheers
    

12Back to top Go down   greetings from  Cape Coral Florida Empty Re: greetings from Cape Coral Florida Mon Apr 13, 2015 2:17 pm

charlie99

charlie99
VIP
VIP
welcome bill

have fun with the k


__________________________________________________
cheezy grin whilst riding, kinda bloke ....oh the joy !!!! ...... ( brick aviator )

'86 K100 RT..#0090401 ..."Gerty" ( Gertrude Von Clickandshift ) --------O%O
'86 k100 rs.. #######..  "Fred " (f(rame) red ) ( Fredrick leichtundschnell ) - -
bits and pieces from many kind friends across the k100 world ...with many thanks ..
1987 k100rs ########   "Red"  - (red sports rs TWB style )
1989 K100rt #009637   "Black Betty"  (naked rt ala Nigel , now sporting an rs main fairing )
    

13Back to top Go down   greetings from  Cape Coral Florida Empty Re: greetings from Cape Coral Florida Tue Apr 14, 2015 1:16 pm

Bill Di

Bill Di
active member
active member
I  took apart my current speedometer assembly and found water intrusion/damage to the circuit board etc. 
I found an entire assembly on ebay from someone parting out a k100 rt which is compatible with mine. with 52500 miles on it  for 175.00 shipping included. I think thats a good deal , so I bought it.  Il keep my  old one for parts if anybody needs em.

    

Sponsored content


    

View previous topic View next topic Back to top  Message [Page 1 of 1]

Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum