1996 K1100RS Potential Project Bike

[radjxf]

Hey guys.  I've been looking for a cheap BMW bike for a project to play around with.  I'm in Montana so these things are pretty rare up here.  Never owned a BMW before and personally don't know anyone who does (everyone rides an HD in MT it seems).

I found a used 1996 K1100RS on Craigslist with 14,775 miles.  Listed as "excellent" condition, so being Craigslist you know that can mean absolutely anything!
Owner claimes he "inherited" it from his uncle and knows nothing about it.  Says it ran when it was in his uncle's possession.

Here's what I found when I arrived:

1) Turning the key to on:  nothing happened.  So while my son wiggled the positive battery cable, and I tried the key at least 20x, finally got some lights to come on the dash.  Not sure if it was the very slightly loose connection at the positive terminal, or some other electrical gremlin.

2)  With bike upright and kickstand UP (I've heard about the switch in there) it just cranks and cranks but wouldn't fire..  We squirted some ether (starting fluid) into an air intake on the right side and it quickly sprung to life, but would only run for 2-3 seconds on the starting fluid.  Owner wouldn't let me do anything else to the bike for fear of damage.

3)  Noticed the ECU was just lying loose on top of the battery---could not find where it mounted?  Can't be good.

4)  Saw a blue 3 or 4 pin female connector near the ECU not attached to anything.  No idea what that was for.

5)  With clutch pulled in, I could only shift down to first, then up to neutral, then up to 2nd.  Absolutley would not shift up any more gears.  Is this normal with it NOT running?

6)  I never heard the electrical whirring noises I'm used to hearing from the fuel pump when turning on the bike.  Maybe it's not like a car where you hear it prime up the pressure before starting.

7)  Front brake lever doesn't seem to release all the way.  You have to push it back forward.  Front and rear brakes did work just pushing it around the shop.

More bad stuff:

Fairing has stress cracks in several places, but not broken all the way through.
BOTH front mirror/turn signal assemblies are missing.
One rear turn signal missing.
Fork seals leaking.
The aluminum mount on the right side that contains the passenger foot peg is broken off. 
Owner can't find the title---but says he'll keep looking "he knows he has it somewhere".

If the owner can find the title, I can get the bike as-is for $900.  What do you guys think?
The bad part about being in MT is the closest dealer is 6 hours away!
I'm not afraid to wrench on things, but thinking this could turn into a money pit fa

In the meantime, I'll continue lurking and searching in my minimal free time.  Any advice or opinions very much appreciated!

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Welcome to the forum.  This is probably the place to come for help in getting a bike you are looking at into fine running condition. 

To answer some of your questions:

1. Could be the ignition switch.   I just had a problem with mine, and there is a thread here that is only a couple days old about Filmcamera's experience rebuilding his.

2. Could be a problem with the electrical connector for the fuel pump.  They are notorious for causing trouble.  If you don't hear the pump run for two seconds when you turn on the key, that is the first place to look.  It's located on the right side of the bike behind the battery cover.  The wire might have a tag that says "tank".

3. There should be a plastic housing for the ECU.  They can be had on eBay.  As long as it's plugged in, it shouldn't matter how it's mounted.

4. That is a test plug.  You can read fault codes for the ECU and the ABS there as well as reset the ABS.

5. Shifting often requires turning the engine or the rear wheel to change gears.

6.  See #2 above

7. The brakes need to be bled and have the fluid changed every two years at the most.  Otherwise problems with the calipers and master cylinders can arise.  A good flush and a clean out of crystallized fluid usually brings back proper operation.  Otherwise you will need to rebuild the master cylinders.  In my experience, the master cylinders are where the most trouble occurs.

Mirror assemblies and parts are not available anymore.  Best solution is to replace with aftermarket turn signals and handle bar mounted mirrors from eBay or the like.  I have seen a couple owners do it, and it can look very good. 

The heavy plastic of the fairings is really rather easy to repair.  I have done a fair bit on my three bikes. 

Fork seals can be replaced.  You can also make a tool out of a plastic water bottle to clean them out.  Then install a pair of fork boots.

I have restored a similar bike.  Parts are available from Max BMW in New Hampshire.  Their prices are the same as any local dealer.  There are also a number of parts suppliers on line who sell equivalent parts frequently at big savins over dealer cost.  Then there is the plethora of used parts on eBay from bike breakers and cappuccino converters.  The dealer is the last place you want to go for parts.

Not seeing the bike it's hard to say if $900 is a good price or not.  14,000 miles doesn't jibe with your description of it's condition.  It sounds like it needs a fair bit of work.  If you are looking for a project and enjoy doing the work, it might be worth $5-700.  I'd offer $500 to the seller, leave my phone number and go home.  Don't know how much it's going to take to get it in good shape, but they are only worth 3 grand in very nice shape.

[radjxf]

Thanks a lot for the info!  I lifted up the tank (it seems to only be held down in the front) and didn't see any wires coming out to trace to a pump.  Only saw what looked like a fuel or vent line going towards the front of the bike.

The owner claims "he put a new ignition switch in it because he lost the keys".  As you can tell the seller is very shady---hoping the bike isn't hot.  I can just barely make out most (but not all) of the numbers on the VIN sticker on the right side frame. 

The bike is pretty clean for 21 years old, low miles and I cannot find anything leaking.  No engine leaks, no drivetrain leaks, tires look good.  Just seems as if it's been treated rough and someone has tried to work on it to get it started and gave up.

Thanks again for the info since no one local rides or wrenches on these things in MT.  Everyone here rides an HD with ape-hangers and a whip on the throttle /rolleyes/

[Scott_]

Personally I wouldn't offer a nickel without a clean title in hand........ that matches the vin stamped on the bike.

Some bikes will have the vin on a sticker(not all have the sticker) on one of the left side frame tubes, and it will be hard stamped on one of the right side frame tubes. Both should be visible without having to remove any plastic. A tooth brush and some cleaner may help.

[Laitch]

If the owner can find the title, I can get the bike as-is for $900.  What do you guys think?
I'm not afraid to wrench on things, but thinking this could turn into a money pit
Any advice or opinions very much appreciated!

Overriding your instincts to buy a motorcycle from an untrustworthy source is a prime example of poor judgement.

For registration, Montana needs a title for used bikes—unlike Vermont and several other states. For project bikes, Montana needs a bonded title and inspection of some components. That comprises the first shovelful down into the money pit.

This bike should be avoided. Be sociable. Buy a Harley. Be a rebel. Blackout the chrome and put a low handlebar on it.

[radjxf]

Overriding your instincts to buy a motorcycle from an untrustworthy source is a prime example of poor judgement.

For registration, Montana needs a title for used bikes—unlike Vermont and several other states. For project bikes, Montana needs a bonded title and inspection of some components. That comprises the first shovelful down into the money pit.

This bike should be avoided. Be sociable. Buy a Harley. Be a rebel. Blackout the chrome and put a low handlebar on it.

I of course left as soon as I found out he couldn't locate the title.  IF he finds a title that matches the VIN, I may still be interested but yes, at this point I won't touch it.  Mainly curious about the fuel/starting issues.  Thanks

[Scott_]

Something else I thought of this morning after I left for work..... so he replaced the ignition switch because he "lost the keys", what did he do about the the other locks that use the original keys. Fuel tank fill cap, helmet lock, side case locks(if it comes with any)....... sounds shady to me.
I'd turn around and not look back.

[radjxf]

Something else I thought of this morning after I left for work..... so he replaced the ignition switch because he "lost the keys", what did he do about the the other locks that use the original keys. Fuel tank fill cap, helmet lock, side case locks(if it comes with any)....... sounds shady to me.
I'd turn around and not look back.

The key he had worked in the ignition AND the gas cap.  Didn't try the helmet lock.  No side case locks.