Newbie question: Buy 1986 regularly ridden or 1993 sitting for 3 years?

[Tom05301]

Good people,

I apologize for the weakness of my search strategies, but I didn't find a thread I'm sure has been done before.

After a few years not riding (sold my self-restored R75/6 when we needed money for child related issues) I've got the bug again. The bikes I'm liking these days are K. Never could get flat footed on the R, and this matters more to me now. So, two choices right now. Both K75 standard.

The '86 (61K miles) has been ridden regularly, but not a lot of miles, over the last few years, since the owner has 3 other Beemers. It rode pretty nice, started right up after sitting a few months. Asking price $2,000. Has bags, and the owner added LED running lights, reworked the turn signals so that they blink off, added wiring for Sirius radio, and a few other mods. He's done the maintenance, and I didn't know enough to ask about splines when I talked to him.

The '93 (25k miles) has been sitting in a friends garage for three years. No idea if it will start. I can probably pretty much get it for a song, since he's rather sure he'll never ride it. He bought new BMW cases which have never been on the bike. Other than that, it is unmolested. I've arranged to see it a week from today, and may even try to start it unless it's strongly recommended not to.

I'm a fair mechanic. I did just about every single seal or lube on the R bike, except for the transmission (sent that out), after I bought it. It had been sitting for a decade. I rode it home, but knew it needed work. I've forgotten much of what I knew, but that happens.

I used to scoff at K-bikes, but now that I've ridden one, I'm converted. So what if I can't be a proud Airhead anymore. 

Thanks in advance for advice, or direction to past posting. Advice on what to offer for the unridden bike welcome. I'm thinking give him a grand up front, and whatever is left over from another grand when I've got it rode worthy. Does that sound fair?

Patience is coming hard.

Tom

[Chaos]

Sounds like a good price on the 86.  As for the 93 sitting 3 years, was there gas in the tank?  If so, the rubber surround on the fuel pump in the tank has probably degraded, leaving lots of crud in the tank waiting to get sucked into the fuel system and pretty much screwing your pump ($$$) and injectors.  Take the tank off and clean it out  & replace damper before starting! Rubber and battery probably need replacing, hopefully the brakes are okay.  If you can get the 93 for about $1000 it may be a good deal, but a bit of a project.  Splines shouldn't be worn at 25k, but they're due for a lube. 

[Inge K.]

If the -93 is stored inside, and you get it cheaper.......it wouldn`t be any problem for me to choose.
My oldest is a -86 K100RS (owned since new) was stored for more than 7 years, just minor issues.
It`s small write up in the beginning of the "what did you do to your motobrick today" thread.

Inge K.

[Inge K.]

As I see chaos mentions storage and gas, mine was stored filled to the brim...but with ethanol free gas.

[WoahGold]

Personally I like the mid 80's K's but in this case, if you can get it for cheap enough, I'd say the 93

[Rick G]

I would take the 93 but dont even put a battery in it before you clean the tank for what Chaos said. If that crud gets in the pump then it causes all sorts of problems.

[Tom05301]

Thanks for the insight. I doubt the gas was ethanol free, so there's probably the gas/rubber issue. How cheap is cheap enough to make the '93 worthwhile?

I'll have to keep in mind that I may not even get to ride before next spring if I have to do all that's suggested.

[Rick G]

Before you do anything more have a look at the section in the lieberry about what to do when you just boughta K.  You will need to do it to either bike because then you are at a known starting point.

[argent brick]

I considered a low seat naked K75 that had been painted orange and had a good price.  Because it had a bad speedo and I did not want to mess with it, I decided to pass. Buy the time I fixed that and a few other problems, I was in it for as much as a proper brick in good shape.

Personally, I would buy the "93 because you are going change all the fluids, battery and stuff anyway. New spline lube also. So, it is just the problems related to old fuel to worry about. BMW made some nice improvements that you will get on the newer bike. When you are done, you will have a good base line for PMCS. My big question is if the '93 was running when it was parked? If not, why not?

The cases are worth about $500-700 new if I remember my prices correctly. I am sure some one will set me right if I got that incorrect. If hard cases are not important to you then you can sell them for cash to fix the bike. I would not sell them myself. Cases are a given on my bike.
Most of the work on the '93 you should be able to do yourself, without taking it to a shop. I would not tell that to the current owner though.
Call a dealer and get a quote for a spline lube and flush and fill of all fluids before you make any offers on the '93. That will help you dicker
for a good price.  FWIW $2500-3000 will get you a nice K75.  $3500 will get you a puss K brick.

[Tom05301]

Argent Brick,

Thanks for the insight on pricing and getting a quote. Now I have to wait until next weekend to see the bike.

Tom

[frankenduck]

93 fer sure.  More spline life left and non-smokey rings.

[K75RT Keith]

Go for the 93 The later the model the more bugs/kinks were worked out.  That said, only if you get a good enough deal and it was stored inside.  My 90 K75RT sat in a garage in Northeast Ohio for 3 years and after fresh fluids, filters, plugs, draining the old gas and adding fresh premium gas and a bottle of STP injector cleaner, it started and runs fine.   

[Tom05301]

Good folk,

The '93 is really sad. Looked in the gas tank and saw a black gelantinous sludge around the pump (boy, was the gas rank!). Tires flat, something leaked out from under the engine, didn't figure out where it came from. Owner waffling on selling.

Next question  - The best bike around now is a the '86. But, it's a bare bike and I've gotten to like the RT fairing (ridden a few bikes with it, they sold while I was waiting on my friend. That'll teach me.) Is there an aftermarket fairing close to the coverage of the RT?

Thanks,

Tom

[WoahGold]

Wow, that's a shame.

I've seen quite a few K100's and R-bikes with a "Hannigan ST" fairing that seem pretty well reviewed. I figure they probably make one for a K75.

[Pagman]

As I see chaos mentions storage and gas, mine was stored filled to the brim...but with ethanol free gas.

Ethanol free gas? Where do you find that these days??

[Pagman]

The '93 (25k miles) has been sitting in a friends garage for three years. No idea if it will start. I can probably pretty much get it for a song, since he's rather sure he'll never ride it. He bought new BMW cases which have never been on the bike. Other than that, it is unmolested. I've arranged to see it a week from today, and may even try to start it unless it's strongly recommended not to.

Maybe you should bring a galon or two of fresh gas just to dilute the bad gas. I would check in the tank first to see if there is any floating debris or rust. If it starts and you decide to take it, then you might want to throw some seafoam in there every now and then.

I have an 86k. It's a great bike with an engine that will last forever, but i still had to replace some worn gaskets, fuel lines, and grommets. If they're both in sweet shape, the '93 might be more worth the while. The way I see it, less mileage, newer decade, beter resale value. Remember that the '93 is still a 20 year old bike (always released a year before), so you will still have to eventually replace some pieces of rubber here and there. Same goes for that '86. Why not do all that work on a newer bike?

[Tom05301]

Ethanol-free gas is for sale at some stations in here VT. Back when I was an Airhead, I purchased aviation gas, low lead 100 octane, to keep the valves happy. I'd mix in a cup or two every fill up. For storage, fill'er up with av gas. I'm told the stuff lasts longer before breaking down as well.