K75 Rebuild - Help needed!

[Siddhartha]

I'm new to the forum and new to the K-series. Happy to have you all as a resource, so thanks in advance. I picked up a k75 two weeks ago, and went straight to work. The PO had made a few modifications that I'm still trying to make sense of. Not sure exactly why he had started those modifications, but I have a few general questions that have got me held up on the build. It's a 87' K75c. All the fairings, speedo, tach, gauges are all gone. So far, it's stripped down, but I can tell most of the functional aspects of the electrical system are still in place.

Can anyone explain the throttle, choke, and clutch cable routing? I've got the choke cable connected, but the throttle and clutch cable are not. Simple as it is, I don't want anything going in the wrong place not do I know exactly where those cables end up. Sounds like amateur hour i know, but I just want to make sure i get it right. Also, I need to consider aftermarket perch assemblies for the bike. I'm not opposed to rewiring what I need to, but what potential issues am I facing with using aftermarket MC, throttle, cables, and controls?

I have the left handlebar control, but the right side (mastercylinder, kill switch, etc... is missing. Does anyone have experience with aftermarket controls? At this point, I'm considering using new controls all around. Just need to know what I'm up against when it comes to making this modification.

Also, the PO left the bike with 2 wires cut. According to me schematic, they are the brown and yellow wires of the fuel level sensor. Any idea why those might be cut? He also cut the two yellow wires that connect the the foot brake. I suppose I'll just solder those back but I'm still trying to wrap my head around what he was trying to accomplish.

All assistance here would be seriously appreciated. Thanks!

[Laitch]

Do you know if the engine runs, Siddhartha? Have you had it running yet or heard it run?

. . .  I'm still trying to wrap my head around what he was trying to accomplish.

It's probably better to focus on your plans for reconstruction of the bike and forget about figuring out the intentions of the former owner's wiring attempts or modifications. Wrap your head around something else that's more likely to make sense.

[rbm]

If you search the site for Japanese switches, you'll find a couple of threads where people have described how they swapped the BMW controls for Japanese  ones.

The Brown wire on the tank connector is ground, the Yellow is tank sender.  In this state, your fuel pump is not going to work because it shares the ground connection.  That will have to be repaired.  The yellow wire is benign unless you have a fuel level meter.

With the rear brake switch cut, you won't have rear brake light.  Very unsafe.  I'd repair the wires.

[Siddhartha]

Do you know if the engine runs, Siddhartha? Have you had it running yet or heard it run?

. . .  I'm still trying to wrap my head around what he was trying to accomplish.

It's probably better to focus on your plans for reconstruction of the bike and forget about figuring out the intentions of the former owner's wiring attempts or modifications. Wrap your head around something else that's more likely to make sense.

Laitch- Reconstruction is the only thing i'm focused on at this point. I'm not sure what youre contributing by that. Without many of the originals parts, i need to use whats available to me to get it running.

[Siddhartha]

If you search the site for Japanese switches, you'll find a couple of threads where people have described how they swapped the BMW controls for Japanese  ones.

The Brown wire on the tank connector is ground, the Yellow is tank sender.  In this state, your fuel pump is not going to work because it shares the ground connection.  That will have to be repaired.  The yellow wire is benign unless you have a fuel level meter.

With the rear brake switch cut, you won't have rear brake light.  Very unsafe.  I'd repair the wires.

Rbm- thanks for the ffedback. I look for those threads. I've considered restoring the original controls to make things less complicated. Brake lights definitely a priority. Much obliged.

Any resource for cable routing? May need to replace a few cables, so if you have any known specs for cable lengths, connectors, etc... that would be extremely helpful. I dont have a solid point of reference for things like that, but mechanically everything seems to be coming together.

[TimTyler]

All assistance here would be seriously appreciated. Thanks!

For a project like yours, the quality of assistance available here is directly proportional to the quantity of photos you submit with your posts.

[johnny]

 

[Siddhartha]

All assistance here would be seriously appreciated. Thanks!

For a project like yours, the quality of assistance available here is directly proportional to the quantity of photos you submit with your posts.

I'll keep that in mind and upload them when i get back to the bike. Thanks

[Siddhartha]

Wtf johnny?

Did i say i was building this bike for obama or is it common for you to leave negative comments like that?

[The Mighty Gryphon]

WTF?  You come here asking for advice which the very knowledgeable members here give freely.   They ask for photos so they can get a better idea of what you have so they can give better advice and you get all butt hurt.  WTF?

[Siddhartha]

WTF?  You come here asking for advice which the very knowledgeable members here give freely.   They ask for photos so they can get a better idea of what you have so they can give better advice and you get all butt hurt.  WTF?

Johnny didnt ask for photos. He left a rude, unsolicited remark.

[Siddhartha]

Do you know if the engine runs, Siddhartha? Have you had it running yet or heard it run?

. . .  I'm still trying to wrap my head around what he was trying to accomplish.

It's probably better to focus on your plans for reconstruction of the bike and forget about figuring out the intentions of the former owner's wiring attempts or modifications. Wrap your head around something else that's more likely to make sense.

Laitch- Reconstruction is the only thing i'm focused on at this point. I'm not sure what youre contributing by that. Without many of the originals parts, i need to use whats available to me to get it running.

laitch. Sorry if my reply came accross crassly. I mentioned the cut wires because in my experience changes like that are usually done in an attempt to bypass something. I thought it might be suggestive of something else (failed feul pump, maybe) if that were a common problem. Obviously the cut brake indicators dont apply to that.
But yes getting it running is my priority.

[Laitch]

Johnny didnt ask for photos. He left a rude, unsolicited remark.

That graphic is in the text editor here for any member to use, Sid. It's shorthand and accurate. Although in the field of corporate Human Resources it might be observed that you and this site may not be a good fit, just let me add this.

It's not uncommon for new members to introduce themselves and post pictures of their bikes, Siddhartha. In your case, you're asking about cable routing , referring to wiring and may have other issues without giving the members the benefit of any visual reference. You're also asking the members to use their time on your project but telling them almost nothing about you, your motorcycle/mechanical experience or showing them you even have a bike.

When you post pictures of your bike, the members here are able to use them for reference  when guiding you to a solution. They often are helpful in revealing a problem that you haven't noticed. Photos also can give an indication of the conditions in which you're working and the constraints they may place on the work.

Photos can help keep members from asking unnecessary questions that take up their time by showing where the process is and what needs to be done. You seem to take that onboard.

Anyway, to move things along, can you answer my first question which was if you've ever heard the bike run? It's important to answer reasonable questions when they are asked to help clarify the situation.

[rbm]

I've found that it is always helpful to lurk a while to see how the forum community operates when I'm new to a site.  I soon identify the regulars and get a sense for the style of the conversation.  This forum has a particular humor and style that takes a while to get used to.  Another motorcycle forum in which I participate has a caustic community of members and one has to be very careful.  Motobrick are a very helpful civil community.

Any resource for cable routing?

The clutch cable routes through the triangle opening on the left side of the frame at the headset tube.  From there it routes in the space between the airbox and TBs, follows the frame downtube to the clutch actuating arm.  The route must be as direct and straight as possible to ensure good clutch action.  The choke cable is less critical; parallel the same path as the clutch cable.  The throttle cable routing depends on the type of handlebars you have and the length of throttle cable you've chosen.  There are two throttle cable lengths and 4 bar styles.  If the cable length matches the bar style, the cable is routed through the triangle opening on the right side of the frame near the headset tube, curves gently over the MAS and enters the throttle stop on the TB rail at exactly the right angle.  This ensures a smooth throttle operation.

Take a look at this thread to see pictures of what I described above.

[Laitch]

Arrows on a submitted photo can be used to show that if the responder wants to take that route, Robert, but your response is veritable textual mastery in explanation.

[Scud]

I have recently disassembled a bike and probably have whatever wiring bits you need, including the handlebar switches. Others on this site also have stuff available - probably lots of leftovers from our various and sundry projects. You can use the ads section and just list what you want to buy.

There's a fair bit of playful banter on this here forum - also some cre8ive spelling 'n grammer - check the lieberry if you don't believe me.