Author Topic: Where can I find a front master cylinder '88 K75?  (Read 8291 times)

Offline Bull Gear

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 23
Where can I find a front master cylinder '88 K75?
« on: August 26, 2016, 09:02:22 PM »
Help, I'm in a bind. Trying to prep this bike (1988 K75S non-ABS) for a lap around the lakes in about 2 weeks. Just discovered the front master cylinder is leaking. Disassembled and discovered that the PO apparently honed it with 40 grit. Great, no hope for this one. It appears to me that new master cyls are no longer available. Any suggestions where to source one, new or used?
  • Locust, North Carolina
  • 1988 K75s

Offline Martin

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 4475
Re: Where can I find a front master cylinder '88 K75?
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2016, 09:08:07 PM »
Beemer Boneyard, Motorworks UK, Moto Bins UK. The last two might be pushing to get it in two weeks.
Regards Martin.
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline Bull Gear

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 23
Re: Where can I find a front master cylinder '88 K75?
« Reply #2 on: August 26, 2016, 09:15:12 PM »
Thanks. Just found the Boneyard listing for it... $175. Thank goodness there's one out there, but ugh.
Any less expensive options? ... like a GOOD SERVICEABLE used unit?
And yeah, I know...  "Do you want it fast or do you want it cheap!?" Please spare me, I'm really not in good spirits right now.
Thank you.
  • Locust, North Carolina
  • 1988 K75s

Offline Motorhobo

  • +25 years of K75
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 1530
Re: Where can I find a front master cylinder '88 K75?
« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2016, 06:07:01 AM »
Didn't there used to be rebuild kits available from the dealer?
1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 198k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 82,000 mi (19k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B' - RIP

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline Elipten

  • ^ SuperNatural Motobricker
  • Posts: 715
Re: Where can I find a front master cylinder '88 K75?
« Reply #4 on: August 27, 2016, 06:15:47 AM »
I believe A lawsuit from BMW stopped the sale of rebuild kits a year or two ago.

And he did say it was honed with 40 grit do I suspect a rebuild kit may not do what is required

Welcome to the high prices of BMW North America

This is the front brake we are talking about the most important part of the bike along with the tires.

Your life has more value than that part's cost. 

But I understand the challenges of a budget all too well

Good luck


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  • San Antonio, TX
  • 1990 K75RT

Offline Motorhobo

  • +25 years of K75
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 1530
Re: Where can I find a front master cylinder '88 K75?
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2016, 11:55:40 AM »
Does't appear to be out of stock at beemerboneyard.com, though...

http://www.beemerboneyard.com/mamacykifr3.html

BMW sued Magura for selling the kits to non-BMW dealers, which means they should be available from the dealer. I remember getting one from the dealer at less than half the cost of new or used, so correct me if I'm wrong if I say they can still be had and they're still a good alternative to new. I personally would prefer a rebuild kit at the same price as used because with the rebuild kit at least you know what you're getting.

1994/1995 K75 ABS Frankenbike: original engine 136k miles, frame from Gary Weaver (RIP), 173k miles -- Current Odometer: 198k miles
1994 K75 since 2013, 82,000 mi (19k mine) w/California Sidecar Friendship II Sidecar & Black Lab 'Miss B' - RIP

Past: 1974 Honda 550/4 (first bike), 1994 K75 (sold), 1995 K75 ABS (parts bike), Sidecar Dog & Best Bud 'Bo' - RIP

Offline Bull Gear

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 23
Re: Where can I find a front master cylinder '88 K75?
« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2016, 01:41:33 PM »
Unfortunately, this one is NOT REBUILDABLE
  • Locust, North Carolina
  • 1988 K75s

Offline Martin

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 4475
Re: Where can I find a front master cylinder '88 K75?
« Reply #7 on: August 27, 2016, 02:17:50 PM »
I got two rebuild kits from Beemer Boneyard for less than the price of one kit from a aftermarket dealer in OZ. And that included the freight. :yow
Regards Martin.
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline Martin

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 4475
Re: Where can I find a front master cylinder '88 K75?
« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2016, 02:25:23 PM »
Bull Gear there used to be a workshop in Brisbane that bored out the master cylinders. Once they had done that they then pressed in a stainless steel insert to take a standard master cylinder kit. I would presume there would someone doing this in America. It would be worthwhile keeping your old cylinder and looking into it.
Regards Martin.
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline Donmystic1

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 157
Re: Where can I find a front master cylinder '88 K75?
« Reply #9 on: August 27, 2016, 02:34:45 PM »
If you can send a photo of yours I might have one in very good condition.
Located in Mystic, CT

Don

860-460-3282
  • Mystic, CT
  • 1985 K100, 1985 K100RS, 1986 K100RS Turbo,1985 K100RT

Offline Chaos

  • Administrator
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  • Posts: 3157
  • Mars needs women!
Re: Where can I find a front master cylinder '88 K75?
« Reply #10 on: August 27, 2016, 04:05:55 PM »
There are a couple on ebay for $70-$120,  I'd rather go the Beemerboneyard route though
  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline Bull Gear

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 23
Re: Where can I find a front master cylinder '88 K75?
« Reply #11 on: August 27, 2016, 05:31:33 PM »
Thanks for the replies.
I think REVRDMARK is hooking me up with a good used one. I'd much rather take a chance with someone on the board rather than some random ebay chop shop.
If that doesn't pan out I'll get one from Boneyard.
I'm sure sleeving is possible, but most likely expensive and would take too long. I'm on a tight schedule trying to get this thing rolling for a Sep 10 trip north into Canada. Now if I could just get my gauges to work. :dunno
  • Locust, North Carolina
  • 1988 K75s

Offline Photog

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 154
Re: Where can I find a front master cylinder '88 K75?
« Reply #12 on: August 29, 2016, 07:32:01 PM »
Sounds like you're pretty well set. FWIW, for future reference, stuff from Motobins takes about a week to arrive on the east coast, IME. I've had stuff show up faster from the UK than from California. Motobins has great pricing on some things, though that master cylinder is maybe not one of them.
  • NNE
  • K75-S

Offline Bull Gear

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 23
Re: Where can I find a front master cylinder '88 K75?
« Reply #13 on: August 29, 2016, 08:17:06 PM »
Yep, I'm good. Thanks.
  • Locust, North Carolina
  • 1988 K75s

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