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MOTOBRICK.COM => Welcome To Motobrick.Com => Topic started by: KyrgyzNomad on September 09, 2016, 07:12:52 AM

Title: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: KyrgyzNomad on September 09, 2016, 07:12:52 AM
I'm an American expat living in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. I've acquired a small collection of motorcycles here, and am currently working on the paperwork to take over a 1990 K75 from a German expat who moved home. It's got 74,000 km on the odometer and seems like a broken fork spring (very little spring in the front end, bottoms immediately, and lots of rattling noises) as well as a leaking rear master brake cylinder. All in all not bad, especially for something that's one of a kind in this country. I've been riding mostly off-roaders/adventure bikes (Honda XL250R, Honda NX650, and BMW F650) since I moved to Bishkek in 2012. Really looking forward to riding a street bike again.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: Mwilson904 on September 09, 2016, 07:34:09 AM
She's a beauty!  Welcome and happy riding!!!
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: Laitch on September 09, 2016, 08:31:04 AM
Welcome, KyrgyzNomad! Good find—a straightforward hauler.  :2thumbup:

Please consider posting some photos of your surroundings over there in the Photographic Ride Report section.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: jakgieger on September 09, 2016, 08:49:24 AM
Welcome  :bmwsmile
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: Martin on September 09, 2016, 01:26:49 PM
Welcome to the asylum from OZ.
Regards Martin.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: Brad-Man on September 09, 2016, 11:43:54 PM
Welcome!
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: KyrgyzNomad on September 10, 2016, 02:17:48 AM
Welcome, KyrgyzNomad! Good find—a straightforward hauler.  :2thumbup:

Please consider posting some photos of your surroundings over there in the Photographic Ride Report section.

Can't ride for a few weeks yet due to ordering parts and waiting, plus finishing paperwork formalities over the next week. Have lot's of scenery pictures, but mostly from off-road trips on other bikes.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: The Dude on September 10, 2016, 05:50:35 AM
Welcome KyrgyzNomad.
If you indeed have fork spring shattered(I also found my damper side in seven pieces)take a carefull look at the frame tube imeadiately behind the rear shock mount for fatigue cracks.Look on both left and RHS of the seat tubing in this position.The severe corrugations on metal roads will do this(eventually)I have had to weld gussets on the frame in these areas to make sure this doesn't happen again on my K75S.The plate underneath with two holes in it is also additional.
All the best.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: KyrgyzNomad on September 10, 2016, 05:58:50 AM
Welcome KyrgyzNomad.
If you indeed have fork spring shattered(I also found my damper side in seven pieces)take a carefull look at the frame tube imeadiately behind the rear shock mount for fatigue cracks.Look on both left and RHS of the seat tubing in this position.The severe corrugations on metal roads will do this(eventually)I have had to weld gussets on the frame in these areas to make sure this doesn't happen again on my K75S.The plate underneath with two holes in it is also additional.
All the best.

We'll do! Thanks for the tip. Our roads here are terrible in general, so not unlikely.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: The Dude on September 10, 2016, 06:05:09 AM
We'll do! Thanks for the tip. Our roads here are terrible in general, so not unlikely.
Yeh,I noticed from your images.I must admit I boot it on ours so it's not surprising.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: KyrgyzNomad on September 10, 2016, 06:06:28 AM
Yeh,I noticed from your images.I must admit I boot it on ours so it's not surprising.

I plan to keep the Brick on the better roads (I've got a few off-roaders for the bad roads), but sometimes it can't be helped.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: billday on September 10, 2016, 07:30:32 AM
Welcome! Keep those awesome pictures coming.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: TrueAce on September 10, 2016, 12:25:04 PM
Welcome! What are you doing in such a remote place, or can you tell us? Only folks I.have meet who've been there are missionaries and CIA.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: KyrgyzNomad on September 12, 2016, 11:52:50 PM
Welcome! What are you doing in such a remote place, or can you tell us? Only folks I.have meet who've been there are missionaries and CIA.

Actually I taught English here for a while then decided to move, it's an absolutely amazing place. Mountains, nomadic shepherds, pretty good weather, friendly people, couldn't ask for much more. I opened a tour company and also started renting out some of our cars. We're now one of the busiest car rentals in the country and we focus on adventure rentals for Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Tajikistan. Means we get to do some fun, crazy stuff  :falldown:

So picked up the brick yesterday and road to the house. The front fork is definitely toast...need to open and verify which springs I need since the previous owner said it may not be the original forks (unless someone can tell me exactly how to tell from the outside what is inside). Riding in city traffic is fun with no rear brake too. Parked next to my Soviet Union plated 1985 IMZ Ural 650 and here's the requisite picture.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: KyrgyzNomad on September 13, 2016, 12:08:08 AM
Welcome KyrgyzNomad.
If you indeed have fork spring shattered(I also found my damper side in seven pieces)take a carefull look at the frame tube imeadiately behind the rear shock mount for fatigue cracks.Look on both left and RHS of the seat tubing in this position.The severe corrugations on metal roads will do this(eventually)I have had to weld gussets on the frame in these areas to make sure this doesn't happen again on my K75S.The plate underneath with two holes in it is also additional.
All the best.

"The Dude" Thanks for the tip! Checked the joint, looks fine. Will keep in mind the idea of adding gussets eventually just in case.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: Laitch on September 13, 2016, 12:09:43 AM
You've got this gallery (http://ihn.kg/kyrgyzstan-gallery/#/) set up nicely. It makes a compelling case for traveling there.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: KyrgyzNomad on September 13, 2016, 12:13:14 AM
You've got this gallery (http://ihn.kg/kyrgyzstan-gallery/#/) set up nicely. It makes a compelling case for traveling there.

Check out http://ihn.kg/catalog/. It's a work in progress right now, but the idea is to have a sortable list of locations which can be reached by various means of transport. Hopefully also compelling :)
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: KyrgyzNomad on September 13, 2016, 12:30:33 AM
Am I correct in thinking I have the Brembo Sport Forks?
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: Laitch on September 13, 2016, 07:25:23 AM
Am I correct in thinking I have the Brembo Sport Forks?
MAX BMW's fiche (http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/DiagramsMain.aspx?vid=51747&rnd=07012015) is where I go when I'm trying to identify parts. Your bike's fork doesn't have a stabilizer. Here are the two represented as OEM. The one with the stabilizer(4) is labeled Sport. It is used with a two-piece fender. Yours is the other, I think.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: KyrgyzNomad on September 13, 2016, 07:33:35 AM
MAX BMW's fiche (http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/DiagramsMain.aspx?vid=51747&rnd=07012015) is where I go when I'm trying to identify parts. Your bike's fork doesn't have a stabilizer. Here are the two represented as OEM. The one with the stabilizer(4) is labeled Sport. It is used with a two-piece fender. Yours is the other, I think.

I do have that silver colored bridge piece, if that's what your calling a stabilizer.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: Laitch on September 13, 2016, 07:40:13 AM
I do have that silver colored bridge piece, if that's what your calling a stabilizer.
Well then, it's time to clean my monitor. You're all set. Stabilizer is how it's labeled in the parts list(14). I'm just the messenger.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: KyrgyzNomad on September 13, 2016, 07:43:45 AM
Well then, it's time to clean my monitor. You're all set. Stabilizer is how it's labeled in the parts list(14). I'm just the messenger.

Great. Thanks! Pulling the fork apart today or tomorrow. Based on the sound I expect to find about 10 pieces loose inside :machinegun:

Looks like Progressive Suspension 11-1126 should work regardless of which fork it has (other than Showa). I probably should go ahead and order since it's going to take 2-3 weeks to get here.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: Laitch on September 13, 2016, 08:05:23 AM
Great. Thanks! Pulling the fork apart today or tomorrow.
Keep in mind that the parts in the left and right tubes differ in the Sport model.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: The Dude on September 13, 2016, 03:27:10 PM
The fatigue cracks propagate from underneath the bends.I discovered by having to lift from the rear to get bike parked neatly against a wall.The rear came up too easily...so I looked.Just saying hard to see without some indicator of a problem.This is not common as no one else seems to have experienced this.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: KyrgyzNomad on September 14, 2016, 01:30:32 AM
The fatigue cracks propagate from underneath the bends.I discovered by having to lift from the rear to get bike parked neatly against a wall.The rear came up too easily...so I looked.Just saying hard to see without some indicator of a problem.This is not common as no one else seems to have experienced this.

I'll have another look then.

Yesterday at the shop...
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: Motorhobo on September 14, 2016, 06:06:44 AM
Welcome -- no doubt you're aware you have the low-seat rather than the standard seat model...
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: KyrgyzNomad on September 14, 2016, 06:12:42 AM
Welcome -- no doubt you're aware you have the low-seat rather than the standard seat model...

Wondered about that but hadn't looked into it. Considering I think I now own the only K75 in Kyrgyzstan, I can't be too picky. Frankly the whole thing works together pretty well visually I think, especially since I removed the windshield (never liked windshields or fairings, personal taste).
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: KyrgyzNomad on September 17, 2016, 11:52:10 AM
Turns out front forks are not completely toast, just the fork seals, though I still have my doubts about the springs, so ordered the progressive springs for good measure.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: Martin on September 17, 2016, 05:43:05 PM
Because your bike is exposed to a lot of dirt and dust. I would put heavy silicon grease under your dust cap and clean and replace it a couple times a year. The grease catches the dirt and helps stop the seal lip from being chopped out. Use it in conjunction with Johnny's Seal Mate homemade ( made out of an old soda bottle) or new off Ebay.
Regards Martin.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: Laitch on September 17, 2016, 05:57:41 PM
Because your bike is exposed to a lot of dirt and dust.. . .
A cheap pair of Rancho RS1952 fork boots would fend off grit too. They also look cool, and you never know while living in Kyrgyzstan and leading people through a post-apocalyptic landscape and feasting on sheep eyeballs when you might need just a dash more of coolness to close the deal.
Title: Re: New K75 Owner in Kyrgyzstan
Post by: KyrgyzNomad on September 18, 2016, 06:38:01 AM
A cheap pair of Rancho RS1952 fork boots would fend off grit too. They also look cool, and you never know while living in Kyrgyzstan and leading people through a post-apocalyptic landscape and feasting on sheep eyeballs when you might need just a dash more of coolness to close the deal.

Between my enduros and my friends with enduros I'm sure I can find a set of black fork boots around here. All my other bikes have them.

For the record, sheep eyeballs are better than ears  :lets-eat: