thoughts on my possible first BMW K100

[bbqman]

Hello all


First off I'd like to introduce myself,  my name is Matt and I live in South Carolina.   I've had a few Yamaha motorcycles and one Harley sportster.   I've always wanted a BMW and I just found one.    Since I've never fooled around with BMW's before I was hoping for some thoughts on the one I'm thinking of getting. 


Here is what I know about it:


1985 BMW K100 will not start, but will turn over with jumper cables/good battery. Paint is in rough shape. 52,166 on the odometer with a clean title. Started and rode like a dream in the fall of 2016. It sat for the winter and never *reliably* started again. Probably rode a couple of dozen times between then and now. I cannot get it to start now, don't have time to mess with it. I have two hard saddlebags and some oil filters that will go with it.


I have him down to $500.00 and would just like to know what you guys or girls think of the bike for the price?     Also anything I should know when I go to look at it?


Thanks so much


Matt
South Carolina


No bikes as of right now.

[Chaos]

too ruff, maybe 500 if it was running but not running and looking like that 300 tops.   Could be a good one but probably a money pit.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

I agree with Chaos.  Judging from the bars, it looks like a naked RT.  Probably because of a crash that destroyed the fairing.  I would doubt that any maintenance has been done since the crash.  Depending on how long ago that was, there could be a lot of neglect damage to things like brakes, drive splines and engine valves.

If you must have it, you would want to see it running and going through the gears.  Looking at it, I wonder what the splines look like.  Bikes of that vintage were nototious for having odometers crap out.  That bike could have a lot more miles on it that are hidden by a replacement speedo.   

Unless you are doing a cappuccino conversion, I would figure a half year and at least $2500 to get it into the condition of your average $2500 used brick that will be newer with less mileage.  On the other hand, if you are going after an urban assault vehiclle with no resale value, or a parts bike, this may be just the ticket.

[jay1622]

Short answer... I'd pass unless you can inspect the splines mentioned above, and the tank is in good order. Gryph is spot-on IMHO regarding cost. Where in SC are you/is the bike? I'm just south of CLT.

[caveman]

run, run, run for your life!


BTW keep in mind that this advise is coming from folks that have a love for these machines.

[caveman]

I was looking at the pictures to try to fine something positive to say; It looks like it would be useful to coon hunt (headlamp).

[jjs1234]

Possible diesel conversion? Hehe

[Laitch]

I would figure a half year and at least $2500 to get it into the condition of your average $2500 used brick that will be newer with less mileage. On the other hand, if you are going after an urban assault vehiclle . . .

+1 for Gryph and Chaos. The psychological costs during the five stages of grief vary by individual.

Regarding the urban assault vehicle angle, that will only work if you can push it fast enough to assault something with it.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

I hope you don't take our comments personally.  The members here all own and cherish these bikes and want others who come here to feel the same way. 

The bottom line on the comments is that the consensus is that with all the nice bricks that are out there you would be better off buying one in good condition.  Unless you intend to make a cafe bike or scrambler, this bike should only be considered a parts bike. 

Assuming you want to go the cafe route, this may not be that bad of a purchase, but only if the drive shaft and final drive splines are in good condition.  In that case, you could have the basic bike mechanically ready for the conversion with a running engine and good running gear for an additional $500 to $1000 in a month or so with some careful shopping for parts. 

If indeed your plan is to go the cafe route, I think the inmates will cheer you on as you will not be trashing an otherwise nice bike.  I'm not sure if that is your plan, as I don't recall you saying what your plans are for this bike.

[Laitch]

I hope you don't take our comments personally.

So do I. It's the bike that should take mine personally. :giggles

One of the most common complaints with 1985 K100 bikes is their failure to start. Often the reason is that by the time somebody buys a used one, the bike has been so neglected that multiple causes for the failure might need to be discovered and remedied one-by-one. That takes time, patience, luck, and sometimes money. If you buy that bike, cleaning and checking all the bike's systems and components really should be undertaken from the beginning.

[Barry in IN]

After having just gone through my search for one, with the bikes I've looked at fresh I my mind:

I'd either pass, or pass and keep it in mind as a parts source if you buy another.  Even at that, some hard to find parts are missing.


If I were 20 years old again, I might be interested as a time-is-no-object fixer-upper.  Even then, I'd want to get it for less.


I should remind you or anyone that a complete teardown takes up a lot of space.


I did keep having one overriding thought as I looked and read about it.  (This may hurt some feelings.)
I'd bookmark this thread and point to it as good example of a source bike for a Cafe Racer or other custom build.  No, I'm not a fan of them, but if starting with one like this, I or nobody else will complain of "ruining a good old motorcycle", and in fact, you would be returning one to use. And that's always good.

[bbqman]

First off, I'd like to thank you all for your opinions.   I definitely am not taking these comments personally and if I was it'd take a lot more than that to offend me.
Since I've never fooled around with these bikes is the reason I put it up on here since all of you have and work on these bikes.
I really had no certain direction I was going to take this bike.   More of just looking for something to fool around with but also I don't want to dump a whole bunch of money into it either.
So I think I will let this one pass and keep my eyes open for some others that may come around.   And to answer Jay1622 this bike is just east of CLT.


Thanks again so much for your opinions and hopefully I'll find another one soon and will post it up to see what you all think about it.   :2thumbup:


Matt

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Matt, how far would you be willing to travel to see a bike?  What is your budget?  What are your plans for the bike you finally get?  Are you going to use it as a commuter, weekender, tour the country?  Do you want to stay stock, or go cafe/scrambler?  The inmates here can let you know about bikes that show up on the market.

[bbqman]

I'd be willing to travel 2-3 states to get a bike.    Right now I'd use it for a commuter and maybe a long weekender.    I've never sat or rode on one so I'm not really sure how comfortable they are for real long distances.    I probably wont keep it stock, I really like the scrambler look and probably would go that way over time.    Right now I just want something I can ride to work and mess around with on the weekends.    The big problem I have is my budget,  I really don't have much to spend.  Right now I'm probably looking to spend no more than $500-750 and I know it's tough to find a decent bike for that money.   As long as it's running I'd be happy that way I can slowly work on things at my pace.   


I'd appreciate it if anyone happens to come across one and would let me know.



Thanks


Matt

[jay1622]

PM'd you.

[Laitch]

Right now I'd use it for a commuter and maybe a long weekender.    I've never sat or rode on one so I'm not really sure how comfortable they are for real long distances. 

You should ride one before you buy one, Matt, if you can. These bikes are excellent for commuting and long distance. The K75 handles well in traffic. Many riders have asserted that the OEM double seat gets uncomfortable after a couple hundred miles. Customization and other types of seats are available.

I suggest you build up your funds for purchase. "As long as it's running" is not found very often at your price range and "running" doesn't necessarily translate to "ever being usable". Having more money will give you more choices. You should also have a reserve of maybe a couple of hundred dollars for parts. In the meantime, read what the Repair Guidance section offers for introductory information to K-bikes. Read the K100 Troubleshooting Guide there to learn how the engine management systems interact.

Keep checking the Not Mine-Just Compelled to Post It Up section. Check the FS WTT WTB section too. One you can afford might surface in either place. Members here will probably let you know of possible candidates, too.

[bbqman]

Thanks so much Laitch for the info.  I will check out the info to sent for sure.


Matt

[Johnny H]

Thanks so much Laitch for the info.  I will check out the info to sent for sure.


Matt

Not sure how much this means with the sound advice given, but I love my K75.  I've kept fresh fluids most of the time, had some minor work done at a  country shop, and I still love it.  Sometimes I get my Jones on and look at other bikes, but then I ride and I leave those thoughts behind. 
It has always started reliably for my commute, even in sub freezing conditions.
    Can't say that about my first bike.  I did pay 3k for it ,but I have gotten most of it back in a reliable machine.
    I feel I got a pretty good deal, even if I never sell it for that.  A little extra money up front paid off for me.

Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk

[jay1622]

OP, I sent you a PM. But in the event you see your thread first... Now this is more like it!




https://columbia.craigslist.org/mcy/d/1993-bmw-k1100lt-motorcycle/6523705346.html

[The Mighty Gryphon]

That looks good.  Probably stored indoors.  Tank leak at worst is corrosion and fixable with a glob of JB Weld.  WIth any luck, the fuel slowly leaked out of the tank so it didn't eat the rubber mount and gum up the pump too bad. 

Otherwise, needs battery, tires, fluids change, a close look at the rubber bits and brakes, and possibly a fuel pump and mounting.  DeOxit on connectors as needed and a bottle or two of Techron to loosen up the injectors.  You could get at least a couple hundred for the extra helmets and jackets to reduce the original outlay a bit.

[jay1622]

Forum, For those of you in the know, how useful is the following link on a 1993 K1100LT? I know the Clymer's is well-updated, but this link seems ok in some areas, and outdated in others. Is this right?

OP, Here's that link mentioned in our conversation...

http://www.k100.biz/pdf/OFF/K100_K75_2V_eng.pdf

[jakgieger]

From the CL add..."about five years ago" :hehehe !  This bike would be a much better choice, BUT, most likely will require renewal of the fuel system (pump, damper, hoses, clean injectors) and then find/fixing the leak.  All this can be accomplished relatively easily with help from this site.  You can find fuel system parts here.

[Laitch]

Forum, For those of you in the know, how useful is the following link on a 1993 K1100LT? I know the Clymer's is well-updated, but this link seems ok in some areas, and outdated in others.
http://www.k100.biz/pdf/OFF/K100_K75_2V_eng.pdf

In addition to Clymer's K1100 guidance, this K1100 workshop manual is available for download from the Repair Guidance Master List here.

[bbqman]

Thanks everyone for all the info.   Hopefully that guy with the ad will get back to me today!!

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Good luck!  Looks like a nice bike.  Mystic red is a beautiful color.