Inspecting a K1100. What should I be looking for?

[gjws]

Hi everyone,

I've been riding and repairing dirt bikes for many years, and I've decided to get myself a road bike to add to the garage. I've found a beautiful K1100 that I'm interested in, and I'm going to have a look at it next week. I was just wondering, what are the key things I should be looking at on this tyupe of bike? I'll obviously check the standard stuff:

Compression (what should a k1100 compression be?)
Bearings
Forks
Electrics
Brakes

Just wondering if there are any common issues that I should keep my eye open for?

Thank you!


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[volador]

Welcome good looking moto

Look inside the petrol tank in the deepest reaches of the corner lobes on each side especially under the petrol pump mount for corrosion, pitting, etc...

This moto being a more recent model may or may not have been prone to the affects of old petrol sitting + ethanol + condensation.
I'm not a chemist but those last 2 ingredients cause the pitting and pin hole leaks. How long have you had ethanol mixed petrol in OZ?

Most likely the seller who has invested the time and effort of this build would have made sure the petrol tank is solid. Sometimes you never know all the history.
Petrol tanks can also be lined with different types of epoxy or chemical liners.

Motronic ECU and ignition module removed/replaced with? What year? Will it pass whatever your laws require? Good luck w/purchase

[Laitch]

Welcome!

What is the standard stuff you'll be checking?

In the Service Manual section of the site is a downloadable K1100 workshop manual that includes specs for the engine and other components. You'll find compression values and valve clearances in it. A K1100 rider's handbook is also in there with operation instructions.

A moto like that with a custom instrument panel can have a few surprises depending upon how well it's been wired. Does it have an oil pressure light? Does it have an overheat indicator? Can the cooling fan's blades be moved by using a dowel, or is it seized? If it isn't seized, start the moto on the center stand and let it run until the fan starts. That should happen within 20 minutes of idling at Melbourne's temperatures right now. Does the fan start? Does the fan start before the overheat indicator is lit? Does the fan cycle off without the overheat light coming on? That's how it should work.

Does it have a working neutral light? How old are the tires according to the date indicator stamped on them? Look for a hole beneath the transmission where it attaches to the engine. Is there any oil there? If there is, does it smell like gear oil or engine oil? When were the transmission input (clutch) splines lubed and with what product were they last lubed?

[gjws]

Thank you both for the super helpful posts, you've sure given me a good list of things to look at, I really appreciate it! The workshop manual is a great resource, I'm going to read through the tech specs over the weekend, again, thank you!

Could someone possibly point me to a good location to purchase parts for the bike so I can work out rough costs for a top end and bottom end rebuild?

[Laitch]

Could someone possibly point me to a good location to purchase parts for the bike so I can work out rough costs for a top end and bottom end rebuild?

I get OEM parts from MAX BMW. Motobins and Motorworks are in the UK. Martin here is a good source to explain Ozian vendors to you; maybe he'll chime in. There are other suppliers, including parts salvagers, in the aftermarket; where you buy depends upon what you need.

[Chaos]

I've found a beautiful K1100 that I'm interested in...

Looks more like it could be a nightmare, hard to tell if those oddities(fender, seat, speedo, air cleaner) are just skin deep or the guts of the machine are seriously screwed with.  These backyard mods are rarely improvements.

PS hopefully you never encounter rain with that filter!

[gjws]

Won't know until we have a look will we.

[Martin]

I get most of my parts from Motobins UK or Motorworks UK or Munich Motorcycles WA fast and reasonable prices for OZ. https://www2.munichmotorcycles.com.au/.
Second hand parts fair prices.https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiqvZr3gpnoAhWYeX0KHSwND5IQFjAAegQIERAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.kmodelbeamerbits.com.au%2F&usg=AOvVaw3VxGwx_J4d1U-Y_owVYTUj A bit dearer https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjO7uSeg5noAhWVT30KHfLZBl0QFjAAegQIFRAD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bmshop.com.au%2F&usg=AOvVaw2txpXTMyd79H1q2US9r2B7 A lot dearer https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi5opi6g5noAhWFf30KHb7eBM4QFjABegQIChAB&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.justbikes.com.au%2Fparts-and-services%2Fdiscountmotorcyclewreckers&usg=AOvVaw0fhguj2EYM4zJTfoPgCxdV I have sourced parts from the US on occasions Beemer boneyard and Max BMW
Regards Martin.

[johnny]

greetings...

needs one of these... all queered out bricks needs one or two of these...


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j o