Post by: Swampyankee on October 23, 2022, 04:00:58 PM
He's got the typical upgrades - koni shock, luftmeister exhaust, progressive springs. And it has some typical problems - non working gages, leaky fuel tank, spongy brakes, dead battery. But overall the bike seems in good shape gor the year and mileage.
I would hope to tinker with it over the winter and have a decent rideable "classic" brick in the spring.
So is this an ok investment? Not looking to sell at a profit but it would nice to know that is has some value when done.
Post by: frankenduck on October 23, 2022, 04:53:45 PM
Ride a K75 before you buy a K100. They're both great bikes but the K75, as a triple, has a much smoother engine. They have less power, 75 hp vs. 90 hp of a K100, but IMO are a better ride. I wouldn't get a K75 for 2-up riding though.
JM02 (I have six K75s but only 1 K100 which tells you what my bias is.)
Post by: Swampyankee on October 23, 2022, 05:06:05 PM
Post by: frankenduck on October 23, 2022, 05:23:43 PM
Thanx for the caveat. I've patched leaky tanks in the past using Caswells. I though I could do the same with this one.
Caswell tank epoxy or Caswell aluminum brazing rod?
Post by: Swampyankee on October 23, 2022, 05:31:23 PM
Post by: daveson on October 23, 2022, 07:45:21 PM
My brick, for example, born on 15th November 1985, has the later model tank.
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on October 23, 2022, 08:06:55 PM
It's said that the '85 K100 had hotter cams than the following years. At 60,000 miles the engine is finally broken in and ready for another 200,000 or so.
Besides the tank, the first couple years had some other unique design features that were upgraded in the following years, so they aren't interchangeable with later parts. Off the top of my head, the seat attachments, the rear cowl to go with the seat, the rear brake disc was slotted and changed to solid, the engine output shaft went from 6 rivets to 12 rivets, and the drive shaft and final drive went from 16 splines to 20.
Problem areas to be aware of are the inside of the fuel tank, drive splines, and brakes. The vibration damper dissolves in the crap ethanol fuel and fills the tank with gooey black residue that coats and clogs the fuel pump and the level sensor. Brake fluid crystallizes and absorbs water that corrodes the master cylinders, especially the rear. Injectors often need cleaning after extended idleness. There is a grub screw in the shift mechanism that loosens on some bikes and leads to a lot of slop in the shifter. The drive cushions for the alternator can disintegrate causing a lot of noise. The O-ring on the output shaft will harden over time and cause a slight leak between the engine and transmission, and there are some rubber bits that crack over time(the infamous Z-tube between the crankcase and the intake air plenum is one).
At $1600 for a bike with 60K on it, none of these things would be that hard to correct. Many of us have dealt with them and lived to tell the tale. The beauty of the classic K is that once you have corrected the results of the idleness, it will be a stone reliable ride that doesn't really require that much maintenance.
Post by: Rcgreaves on October 23, 2022, 08:14:31 PM
I actually do know a very good welder. I work in the tool and die industry so I have alot of technical resources. Which is why I didn't think the leaky tank was a deal breaker. But I also didn't know the 85 tankA double walled case 75 tank presents significant welding challenges not easily corrected in my experience . I personally would recommend a test ride on a four-cylinder to assess the handlebar vibration before you buy. Some don’t care my hands simply go numb cheers.
Motobricker such as Frankenduck have been a huge huge resource and enhancement to my brick adventures.
Post by: koapono on October 24, 2022, 06:02:02 AM
I owned an 85 RS for 36 years, just recently passed it on to a young fellow who I fear intends to make a horrid cafe-racer out of it.
My bike had 206,000 miles on it all but 400 of them with me in the saddle. Aside from wear and tear items I never experienced a major component break-down.
If it hasn't been done by current owner you will likely have to replace all the rubber bits, vent hoses, manifold gaskets that allow the engine to breath and vent. Make sure the cooling fan works, water/oil pump doesn't leak, no oil drip in weep hole under the engine bell-housing. All of these are easily fixed, the bike is surprisingly easy to work on one you've learned your way around it.
yes, there are items specific to the 85 none of them deal breakers.
Yes they are buzzy and heat shedding is a bother in warmer months but tucked into that machine at 80MPH feels akin to sitting atop a cruise missile. An older version mind you but a joy to pilot through twisties in New England and arrow straight slabs in MT, WY and the Dakotas!
It's cool to have a FYK (first year K).
I miss mine but riding position and garage space became factors for selling. It still ran as new.
Still lots of bits and bobs available on the web and a surprising inventory of new stuff available from folks like morton's.
Hell, even Razee's may have some stuff laying around!
g'luck and happy hunting.
Post by: Swampyankee on October 24, 2022, 07:35:09 AM
A double walled case 75 tank
What is meant by "double-walled tank"?
Post by: Rcgreaves on October 24, 2022, 07:46:25 AM
What is meant by "double-walled tank"?
My K 75 fuel tank is aluminum requiring TIG for a repair. The construction has an inner vessel and an outer vessel an air gap air gap between them. To weld the inner is a challenge to reach.
Post by: Swampyankee on October 24, 2022, 07:54:53 AM
greetings Swampyankee. I am a fellow RI'er though from "upstate" (Cumberland).Good to hear from someone from the rolling hills of Cumberland. I'm there often, and pass by on 295 on the way to Attleboro every day.
I owned an 85 RS for 36 years, just recently passed it on to a young fellow who I fear intends to make a horrid cafe-racer out of it.
My bike had 206,000 miles on it all but 400 of them with me in the saddle. Aside from wear and tear items I never experienced a major component break-down.
If it hasn't been done by current owner you will likely have to replace all the rubber bits, vent hoses, manifold gaskets that allow the engine to breath and vent. Make sure the cooling fan works, water/oil pump doesn't leak, no oil drip in weep hole under the engine bell-housing. All of these are easily fixed, the bike is surprisingly easy to work on one you've learned your way around it.
yes, there are items specific to the 85 none of them deal breakers.
Yes they are buzzy and heat shedding is a bother in warmer months but tucked into that machine at 80MPH feels akin to sitting atop a cruise missile. An older version mind you but a joy to pilot through twisties in New England and arrow straight slabs in MT, WY and the Dakotas!
It's cool to have a FYK (first year K).
I miss mine but riding position and garage space became factors for selling. It still ran as new.
Still lots of bits and bobs available on the web and a surprising inventory of new stuff available from folks like morton's.
Hell, even Razee's may have some stuff laying around!
g'luck and happy hunting.
I'm still mulling over the choice between the K100RS I looked at yesterday, and a 96 Triumph Trophy 1200 north of Bangor, Maine, which I would have to buy sight-unseen and have transported due to the distance and limited time.
On the one hand, the Triumph is 10 years newer and 30k miles less. On the other, I'm really intrigued by the K bike, and being a former Beemer owner, I feel a bit of kinship toward it. You mentioned riding position - I sold an R100RS for the same reason, but it was more about the narrow bars. The seller of the subject K100RS said the bars on his bike are wider - R90S bars possibly - and they don't seem as extreme as my R100RS. On the other hand, I'm not getting any younger and riding comfort me become an issue - the other reason for considering the more upright Trophy.
Post by: Past-my-Prime on October 24, 2022, 08:55:17 PM
I'm not as fast in the twisties as some others (but plenty fast enough to scare myself) and not as quick off the line (a new clutch has helped with that, however) and my top end is only about 120 MPH so if that's a deal breaker, so be it.
Not trying to talk you off the 100 RS, I've been tempted that direction as well but for me as I age, I'm more and more happy to stick with this.
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on October 25, 2022, 12:05:43 AM
I have done several Iron Butt runs including the Bun Burner 1500 miles in 24 hours on my K75RT. Crossing Kansas with a couple other guys on 1200cc touring bikes I had no trouble keeping up with them, even setting the pace at 90+mph for a couple hours. I burned a tank of gas at 100mph in Montana. Cross country blasts from New York to Colorado or Idaho are pretty easy. One day from the Mississippi to the Rockies is routine for my RT.
Yeah, it probably isn't as fast in the mountains as newer bikes, but it's pretty comfortable in crap weather, the price is definitely right, and it inspires the confidence to run solo through some pretty desolate landscapes.
Post by: frankenduck on October 25, 2022, 02:52:49 AM
Another vote for the K75 platform. Silky smooth and able to run at 75 mph for hours on end.
I have done several Iron Butt runs including the Bun Burner 1500 miles in 24 hours on my K75RT.
I did my Bun Burner Gold on a K75RT too. 1,610 miles from San Diego to Beaumont, TX in less than 24 hours. Then I rode another 851 miles to Jacksonville Beach, FL. 2,461 miles in just over 36 hours. Pacific beach to Atlantic beach. And I didn't need to ride at hyperlegal speeds to do that. The only time I ever went more than ten over was crossing Louisiana, but everyone in the left lane was speeding so I figured that my chances of getting a ticket were somewhere between zero and none.
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on October 25, 2022, 08:50:03 AM
I did my Bun Burner Gold on a K75RT too. 1,610 miles from San Diego to Beaumont, TX in less than 24 hours. Then I rode another 851 miles to Jacksonville Beach, FL. 2,461 miles in just over 36 hours. Pacific beach to Atlantic beach. And I didn't need to ride at hyperlegal speeds to do that. The only time I ever went more than ten over was crossing Louisiana, but everyone in the left lane was speeding so I figured that my chances of getting a ticket were somewhere between zero and none.
I did mine from Fort Collins, CO to Marilla, NY, 1550 miles in 23 hours and 20 minutes on my 69th birthday. It was the last day of a two week 9,000 trip to the west coast. It wasn't a pleasant ride, I hit a steady rain in North Platte, NE that followed me all the way to Davenport, IA.
The worst part was a couple dozen single lane construction zones totaling 150 miles on I-80 across Nebraska and Iowa where I was barely able to to maintain a 45mph average speed. Every time I was able to outrun the advancing weather I hit one of those damn construction zones. The speed was too slow to get me any protection from the rain behind my fairing.
I'm pretty sure I set a world record for calling other drivers Effing Motherf***ers in a 12 hour period that day.
Post by: Swampyankee on October 25, 2022, 12:29:41 PM
However, the seller of the '85 K100RS is offering me the bike at a discount since he'd rather sell it where is rather than transport it to his new home. So the deal is a bit more appealing.
Things that the seller has told me is 1) the bike was originally bought in Germany, ridden there on holiday, and then brought back to CT where the owners subsequently started a MC dealership. Not sure if there are any differences - good or bad - between an '85 bike built for sale in DE vs one built for the US market. 2) the seller pointed out that the 1st owner tricked the bike out at the time with Koni shock, Luftmeister exhaust (is that loud?), Corbin lower solo saddle (lower is better for me), prog springs, and slightly wider 'bars (R90S bars?).
I don't anticipate going long distances with this bike. It would be more of a country road burner. Having a "real" K100RS has it's own appeal, and I'm willing to endure some vibrations - heck, I've owned plenty of vibrators on wheels.
Along with the great support I see from sites like this, I think the bike, as old as it is, maybe my choice. Let's see if I can make a deal....
Post by: koapono on October 25, 2022, 12:31:56 PM
I loved my K100RS, but I am 71 years young and with the aches and pains associated with that age I couldn’t ride the RS for more than an hour or so. After a 100 miles it felt like I was sitting on a C130 jump seat!
I can get on the LT and ride all day!
Great weather protection, plenty of luggage/storage space, smooth and silky on the road (especially if you throw a set of radials on it) and nearly mechanically bullet-proof.
When I first acquired the bike (2010) it had 30K on it and was sitting idle and neglected.
Didn’t take much to get her running as new though I did fiddle with ABS System for quite some time. Decided not to spend more on ABS repair than I did for the bike so I removed all the ABS components, installed stainless steel brake lines and never looked back.
Now has 150K and has become my go-to bike.
It just suits me.
Post by: Rcgreaves on October 25, 2022, 12:49:36 PM
As long as we are still having fun..its a good purchase.
Post by: Swampyankee on October 25, 2022, 12:57:08 PM
BTW, I just noticed the ad says it's an '86 not '85. Not sure where I even got that unless I got it mixed up with another K100RS I've been looking at. D'OH!
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on October 25, 2022, 01:19:49 PM
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Post by: Swampyankee on October 25, 2022, 01:23:52 PM
Anyone in RI or CT, USA want to help a brother out? LOL
Post by: Chaos on October 25, 2022, 01:31:24 PM
BTW, I just noticed the ad says it's an '86 not '85.
Prolly better off with the 86. 85's didn't have the fork brace and lot's of other bits unique to that year, thought they are know as "FYK" (finest year K) Hotter cams gave them a little more HP.
Post by: Swampyankee on October 25, 2022, 01:32:46 PM
Post by: Chaos on October 25, 2022, 01:52:26 PM
Post by: Swampyankee on October 27, 2022, 09:12:22 AM
There may have been some non braced 86's produced, the factory one has a 2 piece front fender with the brace in the middle. The 85's had a one piece fender and there were aftermarket braces available.
I'll find out more as soon as I get it home tonight, but it's allegedly a German market bike, imported by the owners. Would that matter?
Post by: frankenduck on October 27, 2022, 11:47:19 AM
It will fit on an 8 foot utility trailer. Just go a little diagonal to lift the gate.
The overall length of a K100RS is 7.3 feet (2220 mm) and will easily fit an 8 foot long trailer bed.
Post by: frankenduck on October 27, 2022, 11:53:52 AM
Interesting. He has the brace but had removed it. I thought it was an aftermarket piece.
If the fork brace looks like this then it is an aftermarket Teleflex fork brace:
(https://i.imgur.com/Weu7Vuf.jpg)
Post by: Swampyankee on October 27, 2022, 12:00:50 PM
Post by: Swampyankee on October 28, 2022, 07:44:11 AM
Unfortunately, he had gutted the inside of the fairing years ago and hadn't saved any of it. Apparently, he had laid the bike down (as scratches on the crank-side engine case attest) and when he had the fairing repaired and repainted, he removed the mountings for the mirrors and threw away the fairing inners. When I got it home I looked closely and there are none of the mountings, etc. remaining.
(not allowing me to attach a pic here)
Although the focus will be to get the bike running and sorted mechanically, I will be looking for all the inner panels and mounting brackets to restore all that. I downloaded a parts diagram I found online to aid in ID'ing what I'll need.
Question - I see some inner panels that incorporate gages. That seller said there were never gages that he recalls. Was that a later year, US market, or RT/LT thing? This bike is an '86 European market bike.
Post by: frankenduck on October 28, 2022, 08:06:35 AM
Some bikes had fuel and temp gauges, some didn't. I'm pretty sure that all RS-SE (Special Edition) and LT bikes had them. All 86 and on bikes should have a connector for them under the tank so you can add them if you want to.
Link:
http://www.kbikeparts.com/classickbikes.com/ckb.tech/0.ckb.tech.files/auxguages/auxguages.htm
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on October 28, 2022, 09:05:38 AM
Post by: Swampyankee on October 28, 2022, 09:11:03 AM
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on October 28, 2022, 09:27:35 AM
Post by: Swampyankee on October 28, 2022, 09:42:15 AM
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on October 28, 2022, 10:22:47 AM
Post by: Swampyankee on October 28, 2022, 07:50:41 PM
And the tank leak is coming from the fuel level sender in the center of the tank. A previous leak was caused by one of the mounting pins in the rear of the tank which had probably broken off and has been nicely patched by a welder.
Post by: Swampyankee on October 28, 2022, 07:55:31 PM
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on October 28, 2022, 09:46:16 PM
That Corbin seat looks pretty nice. What is the color code? There should be a sticker under the seat.
Is that an Ossa Stiletto in the background? I had a Pioneer that I campaigned for a year in enduros and Two Day Qualifiers. Those 250 cc engines had humongous torque. Too bad the engine was so fragile and the air filter was so low. It was really a desert racer.
Post by: frankenduck on October 28, 2022, 10:07:01 PM
Does it have a US DOT sticker like this on the left side of the frame?
(https://i.imgur.com/a72eYu5.png)
Post by: Swampyankee on October 28, 2022, 10:09:48 PM
Looks like the sticker under the seat with paint code got painted over. Go figure eh. The seat is worn but in decent shape. I like the fact that its lower than stock. Between that and the S 'bars makes for a more comfortable posture.
The bike in the background is a 73 SDR. I've never raced but I've had a number of Ossas over the years. Makes for an international stable - Spanish Ossa, Italian Benelli, German BMW, not to mention an Audi TT assembled in Hungary and GTI 16V built in Mexico. LOL
Post by: daveson on October 28, 2022, 10:41:31 PM
One thing I'm guessing is US models maybe need a flapper thingy for the fuel filler, I haven't seen that in OZ on bricks, but have on later model cars.
Post by: Swampyankee on October 28, 2022, 11:08:23 PM
VIN 0043204 decodes to a US bike built in 11/85.Yes, looks just like that except for the VIN of course. One other clue - amongst all the BMW accessory luggage etc. I found a leather luggage tag that says "German Challenge '86". Couldn't find any info on it but could that have been a scheme by BMW where people had a motorcycle holiday in Germany and had the bike shipped home at the end?
Does it have a US DOT sticker like this on the left side of the frame?
(https://i.imgur.com/a72eYu5.png)
Post by: frankenduck on October 29, 2022, 09:59:09 PM
Yes, looks just like that except for the VIN of course. One other clue - amongst all the BMW accessory luggage etc. I found a leather luggage tag that says "German Challenge '86". Couldn't find any info on it but could that have been a scheme by BMW where people had a motorcycle holiday in Germany and had the bike shipped home at the end?
Back in the day, BMW did have a program where you could fly to Germany, get a factory tour and take possession of your brand new K. The only person that I know who did this, Phil Marvin, has passed (RIP) so I don't know if you got a Euro bike or a US bike out of the deal. It might make sense to get a US bike because one with that DOT sticker would be easier to import into the US and title.
Post by: frankenduck on October 29, 2022, 10:02:25 PM
One thing I'm guessing is US models maybe need a flapper thingy for the fuel filler, I haven't seen that in OZ on bricks, but have on later model cars.
The flap was probably put there to please California because that state has a cow over every molecule of gas that might evaporate into the air.
Post by: Chaos on October 29, 2022, 10:53:34 PM
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on October 29, 2022, 11:07:53 PM
Post by: Past-my-Prime on October 30, 2022, 07:39:41 PM
Post by: Swampyankee on October 30, 2022, 07:49:37 PM
Post by: Swampyankee on November 07, 2022, 10:14:46 AM
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The bike looks as though it has been re-painted, and areas where chipped away show either white underneath or in some places red. Although the bottom of the tank shows no signs of overspray on areas like the fuel level sender. The PO said he had the front faring mirror mounts faired over and repainted after laying the bike down. The upper is cracked on the right side - probably when I laid it over while loading it on the trailer. And the lower fairing shows signs of previous repairs.
It would be nice to know what color the bike was originally, since it really should be repainted. Or I could just purchase a good set of bodywork from someone building a cafe from an RS. Or this bike might become my experiment in brick ownership, and just replace it with another RS in better condition...
One other thing that might be evidence of the German purchase story is this "German Challenge '86" luggage tag with the original owner's info on it.
[ Invalid Attachment ]
Post by: frankenduck on November 07, 2022, 10:36:23 AM
https://www.mdecoder.com/
Here's where the paint scheme number decal typically is:
(https://i.imgur.com/1V4eDDh.jpg)
Post by: The Mighty Gryphon on November 07, 2022, 11:21:45 AM
The tag with the paint code was on the other side of the emission information label facing the left side of the bike.
Post by: Swampyankee on November 07, 2022, 12:01:32 PM
Well, that solves it. According to the VIN decoder, the bike was originally Avus Schwarz (black), which is what I got. Too bad, I was hoping for something more sexy, like Columbia Silver or Onyx Schwarz...
Post by: Laitch on November 07, 2022, 12:43:07 PM
The only tag on the left side as you say, is the Warning about accessories affecting ride characteristics.It's been painted over, for sure.
Post by: Swampyankee on November 07, 2022, 12:54:34 PM
Post by: Laitch on November 07, 2022, 01:32:33 PM
Post by: Swampyankee on November 07, 2022, 01:43:00 PM
Post by: frankenduck on November 18, 2022, 09:51:49 PM
Kind of a moot point since the VIN decoder says the bike was Avus Schwarz, which it still is.
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcNoWXMW0AAgGok?format=jpg)
Post by: Swampyankee on November 18, 2022, 10:08:29 PM
Post by: Chaos on November 19, 2022, 01:18:35 PM
My friend had an R69US back in the 70s that he nicknamed Shultz after the Sgt. on Hogans Heros.
My wife's reaction when I first drove my Ural home for the dealer "Hey Shultz!! Where's Colonel Klink?"
Never been one for naming bikes. Just "the BMW" and the "RPOS" (Russian Piece of Sh**)
Post by: Kbiker on November 23, 2022, 12:23:57 PM
This ViN decoder will tell you the name of the original paint color (in German.)
https://www.mdecoder.com/
Here's where the paint scheme number decal typically is:
(https://i.imgur.com/1V4eDDh.jpg)
Is there any useful information to be derived from the !!CHECK HISTORY!! links in the VIN decoder? It's not free so I was just wondering.
Post by: Swampyankee on November 23, 2022, 04:45:50 PM
Post by: Swampyankee on November 28, 2022, 07:34:01 PM
20221127_143449.jpg (60.8 kB . 768x576 - viewed 613 times)I may want to try RS bars to see if I can handle the extra lean but that point is a ways off. However, anyone have a set of RS bars they would sell cheap let me know.
Post by: frankenduck on November 28, 2022, 09:37:51 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/9DWcPrp.jpg)
S/RS bars:
(https://i.imgur.com/FoK60Mi.jpg)
Post by: Swampyankee on November 29, 2022, 07:21:32 AM
Post by: frankenduck on November 29, 2022, 09:11:13 AM