Post by: ScooterNSticks on July 19, 2019, 09:08:54 PM
Here's a shot from this morning on my way to the local BMW dealer to discuss tires and service.
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Post by: Laitch on July 19, 2019, 11:20:06 PM
Post by: Chaos on July 20, 2019, 12:03:41 AM
Post by: bocutter Ed on July 20, 2019, 09:25:46 AM
This could be a big shock for the readers of your blog. Me included. :welcome
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on July 20, 2019, 09:35:42 AM
+1 on Chaos' advice. Our bikes are too old to be seen with any regularity at dealers now, so the mechanics are probably flying blind whenever they work on them. Add to that the bizarre cost of regular service and it's pretty easy to see why most owners do their own work.
The very good news here is that K bikes are incredibly user friendly and easy to work on, especially the naked version you own. A copy of the Clymer manual and some tools from Harbor Freight are pretty much all you need to do all the stuff necessary to keep your brick reliable. The inmates here have a vast knowledge and experience base and can help with almost any question you can think up to ask.
Post by: cycle on July 20, 2019, 11:02:57 AM
Post by: ScooterNSticks on July 20, 2019, 12:24:17 PM
Welcome, Steve, to the serene world of a K75 at 6000rpm.
Moving along at a pretty good clip at 6000 rpms!
Post by: ScooterNSticks on July 20, 2019, 12:26:20 PM
look like a nice example. BMW dealer's get rough treatment here, they're usually not that knowledgeable about older machines and charge top dollar. A little searching here for DIY tips and smaller shops may be your best bet.
I discussed with the technician if he ever worked on a K75 and he said he had done the spline and clutch lubes on several. He touched on things that made me feel inclined to pay him for this first time. But my plan is to get my head wrapped around doing this stuff myself.
Post by: ScooterNSticks on July 20, 2019, 12:29:00 PM
:johnny
This could be a big shock for the readers of your blog. Me included. :welcome
Hah. It's a dilemma. Sort of like bringing the new wife home to meet the kids. I've ridden and written about a lot of other motorcycles in the past but those were all temporary assignments and everyone knew (though some hoped otherwise) I would be returning the bikes to the dealer and saddle up again on the Vespa -- the perfect two-wheeled machine.
Working on that introduction now.
Post by: ScooterNSticks on July 20, 2019, 12:31:44 PM
Welcome! That's a really nice K75 and you live in a great place to enjoy it.
+1 on Chaos' advice. Our bikes are too old to be seen with any regularity at dealers now, so the mechanics are probably flying blind whenever they work on them. Add to that the bizarre cost of regular service and it's pretty easy to see why most owners do their own work.
The very good news here is that K bikes are incredibly user friendly and easy to work on, especially the naked version you own. A copy of the Clymer manual and some tools from Harbor Freight are pretty much all you need to do all the stuff necessary to keep your brick reliable. The inmates here have a vast knowledge and experience base and can help with almost any question you can think up to ask.
Thanks for the heads up on the Clymer Manual. I'll look for one. And I do plan to do the work. Have all the tools I need I think including a motorcycle lift table from Harbor Freight to allow me to not have to crawl around on the concrete floor to work. Look forward to the mechanical adventures ahead.
Post by: Laitch on July 21, 2019, 12:05:51 AM
Moving along at a pretty good clip at 6000 rpms!That's typical interstate speed in the bucolic PRV, Steve. It seems like a high figure in print but the K75 is smooth running up there and not straining in the least. Vibration is at a low level and approaching traffic can be identified in the rearview mirrors at a fairly long distance. When you get up there, you'll appreciate it.
I've learned to keep the revs up for peak performance, not jog along at 35mph in fifth gear. 50mpg is my moto's average fuel usage in mixed riding. Flat out on the interstate for hours it drops into the forties.
Let's see a closeup photo of the headlight/instrument mount assembly. The assembly seems unique.
Post by: natalena on July 21, 2019, 01:40:13 PM
Post by: ScooterNSticks on July 27, 2019, 07:01:49 PM
That's typical interstate speed in the bucolic PRV, Steve. It seems like a high figure in print but the K75 is smooth running up there and not straining in the least. Vibration is at a low level and approaching traffic can be identified in the rearview mirrors at a fairly long distance. When you get up there, you'll appreciate it.
I've learned to keep the revs up for peak performance, not jog along at 35mph in fifth gear. 50mpg is my moto's average fuel usage in mixed riding. Flat out on the interstate for hours it drops into the forties.
Let's see a closeup photo of the headlight/instrument mount assembly. The assembly seems unique.
I don't notice any vibration at all. It's super smooth. My Vespa GTS vibrates more and I would have sworn it didn't.
Here's the headlight/instrument cluster assembly. Rode last night for the first time. Some of the bulbs are out that illuminate the speedometer and tach. I'll probably replace with a set of LEDs.
Post by: ScooterNSticks on July 27, 2019, 07:06:11 PM
Did look closely at the clutch cable and brake lines. They look like they have been changed recently and are in good shape.
So the three spine lubes -- rear drive and both ends of the drive shaft, and the clutch spline.
I feel my wallet getting lighter.
Post by: stokester on July 27, 2019, 09:07:40 PM
After some more soul searching I've decided to have the dealer lube the clutch splines as well. Seems a false economy to just do the rear on a 27 year old motorcycle. A friend told me today, "You didn't buy this motorcycle to save money. You can afford it. Just refresh everything so you can ride."Nice machine, you'll enjoy the smooth ride.
Did look closely at the clutch cable and brake lines. They look like they have been changed recently and are in good shape.
So the three spine lubes -- rear drive and both ends of the drive shaft, and the clutch spline.
I feel my wallet getting lighter.
As others have told you, learn the necessary maintenance and do it yourself. A good search of the forums will show you the way.
I also recommend you clean and lube the lever end of your clutch cable. These are known to bind and break without regular maintenance and most of us carry an extra on board.
Post by: ScooterNSticks on July 27, 2019, 09:18:22 PM
Nice machine, you'll enjoy the smooth ride.
As others have told you, learn the necessary maintenance and do it yourself. A good search of the forums will show you the way.
I also recommend you clean and lube the lever end of your clutch cable. These are known to bind and break without regular maintenance and most of us carry an extra on board.
Circumstance doesn't allow me to do the first maintenance myself hence the cash layout to the dealer. I imagine the cost will come near the $2500 I paid for the bike. What time I do have I just want to ride. But in the future I plan to do the next spine lube and as much other stuff as I can myself.
I'll have a look at the clutch lever. Everything is remarkably clean and works well. It's just that it's sat for most of the last 8 years.
Post by: Braaap on July 28, 2019, 04:14:09 AM
I think we are both lucky having a luggage rack on the back of the bike. Comes in real handy.
I can’t say if you’re lucky your local BMW shop will do repairs on your bike at that cost!! Out here they consider k-bike’s vintage and won’t work on them.
In my experience, I’m really just now getting comfortable with doing my own repairs on my bike. For a long time, I was afraid I’d break my bike. I’m not the most mechanically inclined and feel like I just won an award by figuring out how to replace the rear brake pads without taking off the shock or the rear wheel!
Anyway, welcome! I’m new here myself.
Post by: billday on July 28, 2019, 06:28:59 AM
Post by: Laitch on July 28, 2019, 07:09:47 AM
Post by: ScooterNSticks on July 28, 2019, 07:58:35 AM
That’s a great looking bike!
I think we are both lucky having a luggage rack on the back of the bike. Comes in real handy.
I can’t say if you’re lucky your local BMW shop will do repairs on your bike at that cost!! Out here they consider k-bike’s vintage and won’t work on them.
In my experience, I’m really just now getting comfortable with doing my own repairs on my bike. For a long time, I was afraid I’d break my bike. I’m not the most mechanically inclined and feel like I just won an award by figuring out how to replace the rear brake pads without taking off the shock or the rear wheel!
Anyway, welcome! I’m new here myself.
The only reason the dealer is doing the work is that their two techs have worked a lot on vintage bikes -- airheads more than K bikes though. I've talked to the tech who will be working on mine and he's worked on a handful of K bikes including the spine maintenance. So my fingers are crossed that all will be ok. The money, well, it's an expense I can absorb. As long as I don't think of a vehicle as some sort of investment my brain is ok with it. After all, I didn't buy a motorcycle to save money.
Good luck with your growing comfort with DIY maintenance. Hopefully I won't be too far behind you.
Post by: ScooterNSticks on July 28, 2019, 08:06:36 AM
It's a hybrid. The windscreen is a K75 Parabellum Sport Shield. I recognize its profile and hardware The headlight assembly and its fork tube holder is part of a Vetter fairing assembly from bygone days. I rotated the photo 180º then enhanced the imprint on the headlight housing to arrive at that conclusion. The turn signals might be rear ones from a late '70s or early '80s R model.
After reading your comment I wandered out to the garage to take another look at things. The headlight is indeed a Vetter. And the turn signal could easily be a rear one. I'm oblivious still to the details of the motorcycle. My view is still from 10 thousand feet -- "Wow, what a good looking K75." I'm learning though.
Here are some pictures of the items discussed.
Post by: K1300S on July 28, 2019, 11:44:31 AM
After some more soul searching I've decided to have the dealer lube the clutch splines as well. Seems a false economy to just do the rear on a 27 year old motorcycle. A friend told me today, "You didn't buy this motorcycle to save money. You can afford it. Just refresh everything so you can ride."
a VERY wise friend....
Post by: ScooterNSticks on July 28, 2019, 12:07:22 PM
a VERY wise friend....
Well, he complicated everything this morning at breakfast with, "You know, I could come over and we could do all the work ourselves. Save you a lot of money."
I declined. The last time he and I ventured into the unknown on a mechanical project was when he rebuilt the engine in his Ferrari. Talk about the blind leading the blind. He's an engineer. They like venturing into the unknown.
Post by: natalena on August 10, 2019, 01:00:06 PM
The last time he and I ventured into the unknown on a mechanical project was when he rebuilt the engine in his Ferrari.
I know what that's like :) Set aside 3 weeks for a rebuild, and 4 months later finally put the air filter covers back on.
Working on the Brick is actually quite fun during the long, chilly months of winter. BTW, was the Buell pic taken near Buckman Springs outside of San Diego?
Post by: ScooterNSticks on August 10, 2019, 03:23:48 PM
Buckman Springs near San Diego? Buell pic?? You lost me.
Post by: Martin on August 10, 2019, 04:41:50 PM
Regards Martin.
Post by: natalena on August 10, 2019, 06:14:22 PM
Buckman Springs near San Diego? Buell pic?? You lost me.Opps, sorry, I got you mixed up with another Bricker who posted a bunch of cool rides.
Post by: TommyT on August 11, 2019, 08:24:59 AM
How is the instrument cluster attached to your bike? I ask because I have a K75 "T" that is missing all of that area, headlight, cluster, turn signals and the windscreen mounts, so your bike's setup is an interesting alternative to me spending $$$ on good used parts.
Here's the headlight/instrument cluster assembly. Rode last night for the first time. Some of the bulbs are out that illuminate the speedometer and tach. I'll probably replace with a set of LEDs.
Post by: ScooterNSticks on August 11, 2019, 10:10:41 AM
How is the instrument cluster attached to your bike? I ask because I have a K75 "T" that is missing all of that area, headlight, cluster, turn signals and the windscreen mounts, so your bike's setup is an interesting alternative to me spending $$$ on good used parts.
It's mounted to the top of the fork unit. I'm not familiar enough with the motorcycle, or the other types, to know if that's unique or not though.
Post by: ScooterNSticks on August 11, 2019, 10:16:48 AM
A Brick is probably one of the most reliable if not the most reliable bike ever, if you maintain it and keep it on the road. Most problems seem to be bad electrical connections which can be headed off by cleaning with Deoxit and using dielectric grease. Bricks also do not like sitting and require the correct procedure when not being used over winter if you wish to avoid fuel problems. I love my Brick.
Regards Martin.
I fellow stopped me this past Friday afternoon in a coffee shop and asked if the K75 belonged to me. He told me he used to have a K75S and rode it for 12 years without a single issue. He seemed in a hurry so I didn't have the chance to inquire for more information on what happened after 12 years.
My plan is to ride the K75 year round through the winter. We have plenty of dry road days in winter here though it is cold. My Vespa is configured to keep me comfortable down to -15F if necessary, and I run winter tires on it as well. The K75 won't have the same protection so I would think my riding with it will be in the over 25F range. I'll put it on a Battery Tender Junior to keep the battery sipping electric and hope for the best.
I already love my Brick. It "feels" perfect to me. But that's all based on a handful of 20 and 50 mile rides. Until the service is complete later this week and I have a chance to do some day long rides I won't know for sure if I'm still in love or not. If I were a betting man though, I would lay money on "Steve loves his Brick."
Post by: ScooterNSticks on August 15, 2019, 09:55:49 PM
Here's a couple pix. Didn't realize how far the bike would be dismantled.
Post by: natalena on August 15, 2019, 10:10:54 PM
Post by: caveman on August 16, 2019, 07:33:05 AM
Nice looking bike , good to see you are getting it ready for service!
Post by: TommyT on August 16, 2019, 07:48:32 AM
Quote
Didn't realize how far the bike would be dismantled.Wow, the tank is off, the seat is off. What did they do to your bike? Did they do something to your gas tank?
Post by: ScooterNSticks on August 16, 2019, 08:07:32 AM
The 4 winds rally is this weekend in New Bentham Pa. (Red Bank), any chance you heading there? I will be there Sat. on a blue 75s so if you come look me up and say hello.
Nice looking bike , good to see you are getting it ready for service!
I doubt I'll be heading anywhere this weekend. Unfortunately I'll be working at restoring old wooden double-hung sash windows. The polar opposite experience to riding the K75. Sort of like having a colonoscopy but not as fun.
Nice area to ride up there. I'll have to see if there is a group around here similar to the Four Winds BMW Riders group.
You're in Kennerdell. As a kid I used to go deer hunting with my dad in the forests around there. Good times.
Post by: ScooterNSticks on August 16, 2019, 08:13:35 AM
Wow, the tank is off, the seat is off. What did they do to your bike? Did they do something to your gas tank?
They did a lot of work. Won't find out the price until later this morning when I pick it up. I was going to have them do the clutch spline as well but the tech called me and said considering the condition of the rear drive splines, the grease and the fact that there are no issues shifting up or down on the bike that he would wait until the next tire change to pull the transmission and do them. Time will tell if that was the good choice.
Here's what they did:
Engine oil and filter change.
Brake fluid flush.
New Spiegler brake lines
Clutch cable replacement
Coolant flush.
Tire change.
Pennsylvania State Motorcycle Inspection.
Final drive oil change.
Transmission oil change.
Rear spline lubrication.
Swing arm boot replacement.
Check and replace if necessary any hoses or rubber parts he notices
And whatever else emerges during the maintenance.
Figure this will all cost thirty or forty dollars. Right??
Post by: ScooterNSticks on August 16, 2019, 08:18:21 AM
greetings...
id ask them to ping me a photo of the jar showing the name and particulars of the spline lube they used on there...
then you can start a spline lube lube thread...
we can talk about how f-ed up those spline are and how this factory lube will extend their useful life...
j o
I gave them a new bottle of Loctite Moly Paste to use. Some research here and other K bike sites suggested it as an option to some of the other good stuff that's no longer available. I'll ask today if the tech used it. I assume they did.
Another spline lube thread? I figured you would have banned that by now. Sort of like some places not allowing conversations about helmets or loud exhausts!
Post by: caveman on August 16, 2019, 05:23:11 PM
I doubt I'll be heading anywhere this weekend. Unfortunately I'll be working at restoring old wooden double-hung sash windows. The polar opposite experience to riding the K75. Sort of like having a colonoscopy but not as fun.
Nice area to ride up there. I'll have to see if there is a group around here similar to the Four Winds BMW Riders group.
You're in Kennerdell. As a kid I used to go deer hunting with my dad in the forests around there. Good times.
This is going to be the first Sat. I've taken off in 6 weeks if you deside to ditch the window job look for a vrod with purple seat (wive's ride) god knows what I will push out the garage tomorrow.
If not this weekend it would be cool to get together sometime. I do live in Kennerdell so if your coming this way anytime shoot me a PM.
Post by: Frederick on August 17, 2019, 11:32:42 AM
Post by: ScooterNSticks on August 17, 2019, 12:52:10 PM
Just get a propane fueled construction heater. Not much money at all. I work all winter long with a 25 - 80,000 btu one. Bought it on CL for $50.
I've been looking at them, browsing Northern Tools and Craigslist. Probably the ideal solution. Certainly easier and cheaper that putting a new electrical circuit in to run a baseboard heater. Are you using a convection type or one of the others?
Post by: natalena on August 17, 2019, 06:10:42 PM
They did a lot of work.
And whatever else emerges during the maintenance.
A prior post said the mechanics have experience with bricks (and know to check), although, I'd ask anyway if they checked the valves (really easy) and balanced the throttle bodies. Sends a good message that you're a conscientious consumer, who appreciates their labor.
Cheers!
Post by: Laitch on August 17, 2019, 08:33:32 PM
The service is complete on my K75. Haven't seen the bill yet but I asked them to send a couple pictures for my blog. The technician told me all the splines were is good shape.Here's food for thought. That splined shaft isn't what concerns most of us. That's the transmission output shaft on the rear side of the transmission. It's clipped to the drive shaft so that keeps it from sliding. Sliding contributes the most to wear. That shaft rarely wears.
The shaft splines whose treatment is the subject of natalena's holy grail search and innumerable discussions about moly content, composition stiffness and application strategy belong to the input shaft on the forward side of the transmission. That shaft can wear severely from the clutch disc hub's sliding along it as part of shifting and riding revs.
That the tech sent you a photo of the output shaft makes me wonder.
Post by: ScooterNSticks on August 17, 2019, 10:14:57 PM
Here's food for thought...
That the tech sent you a photo of the output shaft makes me wonder.
When I read your comment I thought of a friend's frequent saying, "Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people don't hate me." I'm not worried that the tech was hiding something. The pictures he sent were long shots of the bike. I just happened to crop that one because it showed some splines. I should have asked for him to photograph the others and the ends of the driveshaft.
Regardless, I'm done worrying about any of it. I'll ride it until something breaks or I get to the next spline lube time that I plan doing myself.
For now it's full flounder ahead!
Post by: ScooterNSticks on August 17, 2019, 10:17:13 PM
A prior post said the mechanics have experience with bricks (and know to check), although, I'd ask anyway if they checked the valves (really easy) and balanced the throttle bodies. Sends a good message that you're a conscientious consumer, who appreciates their labor.
Cheers!
Next time I stop by I'll ask about the valves and throttle bodies. I had watched one of Chris Harris's videos where he discusses the valves. It did look pretty easy to check them.
Post by: ScooterNSticks on August 22, 2019, 08:21:19 AM
It was interesting how many riders were drawn to the K75. I felt like the pretty girl at the dance with all the horny boys crowding round. And two guys there had ridden K75s for over ten years before succumbing to GS Adventure Syndrome. Each spoke wistfully of their flying brick days.
As they went over every detail of the motorcycle and shared thoughts they also found a few things I was unaware of -- didn't notice in my own romantic infatuation with the BMW. Like little cracks in the plastic on the back of the left-hand mirror. Or a couple of paint chips in the Caribic Blue paint. Or the fact that the power outlet on the instrument panel isn't connected to anything. But even if my girl has a few wrinkles who cares.
Mainly though, they said it was the smoothest motorcycle they've ever ridden, and it will last forever. That was good to hear. Plan on going for a long ride tomorrow to test the seat/ass combination.
Post by: stokester on August 22, 2019, 07:07:21 PM
Post by: billday on August 22, 2019, 09:06:30 PM
Post by: ScooterNSticks on August 22, 2019, 11:57:29 PM
Sure are a lot of dad jeans in that picture.
Well what do you expect? Only old farts ride motorcycles anymore.
Post by: Laitch on August 23, 2019, 05:24:19 AM
Well what do you expect? Only old farts ride motorcycles anymore.There's no payoff being elderly-centric.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXkMe8Grwhw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXkMe8Grwhw)
Post by: ScooterNSticks on August 23, 2019, 07:04:10 AM
There's no payoff being elderly-centric.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXkMe8Grwhw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXkMe8Grwhw)
That's for sure. The only "young" people at the Moto Hang are usually women. Very few people under 50 show up. And plenty over 70.
Aging is an interesting topic. I recognize the physical and external changes. But when I look in the mirror, I still see a kid...
Post by: Laitch on August 23, 2019, 07:20:52 AM
Aging is an interesting topic.Aging's just another word for nothing left to lose.
Post by: billday on August 23, 2019, 07:45:07 AM
But when I look in the mirror, I still see a kid...
When I look in the mirror, I say, "Who is that old guy?"
Post by: billday on August 23, 2019, 07:51:37 AM
There's no payoff being elderly-centric.
I wish more women would ride. Shoganai is the only woman I can remember seeing around Motobrick. She was a rider.
Post by: johnny on August 23, 2019, 08:33:12 AM
shogani alaska... (https://advrider.com/f/threads/where-in-the-world-is-shoganai.142933/)
shogani sunrise 2 sunset... (http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,5345.0.html)
73481220-L.jpg (59.12 kB . 768x576 - viewed 1074 times)ive ridden with a dozen or so hoes...
half day full day overnighters...
they all the same... ok if they the only hoe... butts motohoes donts like other motohoes... too much drama...
we rode behind an escorted all hoe tour group once... the testotosterone was thick...
j o
Post by: bocutter Ed on August 23, 2019, 09:10:04 AM
Well what do you expect? Only old farts ride motorcycles anymore.Quezzie test riding my 53yo "Twingle". Said it was smoother than her P200 ...
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Post by: ScooterNSticks on August 23, 2019, 08:37:51 PM
I wish more women would ride. Shoganai is the only woman I can remember seeing around Motobrick. She was a rider.
I've run into a few women who ride but not often. Rachel Kim, author of the blog Fuzzygalore, just posted a piece on women riders called 7 Badass Motorcycle Women on Instagram. https://www.fuzzygalore.com/2019/08/7-badass-motorcycle-women-on-instagram/ (https://www.fuzzygalore.com/2019/08/7-badass-motorcycle-women-on-instagram/)
Post by: ScooterNSticks on August 23, 2019, 08:41:38 PM
Here's a shot early in the ride. My friend Paul is on his K1300. Powerlines were low and you could hear the electricity crackling.
Post by: ScooterNSticks on September 01, 2019, 11:53:30 AM
Quezzie test riding my 53yo "Twingle". Said it was smoother than her P200 ...
Quezzie sure gets around. I think she's riding her Vespa GTS250 in Portugal now.
Post by: bocutter Ed on September 01, 2019, 12:05:46 PM