A Smart Person Would.....

[BryanD]

OK, so I keep seeing more and more of our Motobricks disappearing or becoming a Frankenbike of some sort.  That's not exactly my style or desire for these bikes, but whatever.  It's not my money. 

What would a smart person start pack-ratting away in order to keep one's bike in operating shape in the future?  Oil/Water pump seals?  Fuel Injection parts?  Drive line seals? Clutch discs?  Water hoses?

I'm asking because I plan on having mine for many years, I hope.  I keep watching the prices falling and falling because it's a hard sell to fix these when major trouble arises. Then, they are worth more in parts than the cost to keep them road worthy. 

Thoughts are appreciated!!   

[Chaos]

I imagine most consumables will be available for quite some time, but bodywork, gas tanks, instrument pods and other model specific items may require some searching for used items.  Consider brit, Italian, German & Jap bikes from the 50's & 60's, special interest groups keep them alive. 

[BryanD]

Yeah, johnny told me I needed an Iconic 22, but i didn't have the tail rack for one.  So, I lucked into an entire tail assembly with rack, turn signals, and brake lamp assy that happened to be in my color.  What fortune! 

That's another thing I haven't had much luck finding, is that Iconic 22.  But at least when I do, I'll have what I need.  Hopefully, our Bricks will gain enough of a following to help preserve the legacy.  Right now, all I see is people hacking..... Uh, "modifying" them up into brat bikes.  Got to admit that a naked brick engine is so awesome looking.  I'm just a purist at heart, though. 

[billday]

Guard Dog moly,  if Beemer Boneyard has any left.  That shit is the shit.

[beemuker]

Guard Dog moly,  if Beemer Boneyard has any left.  That shit is the shit.

and a little goes a long way

[Chaos]

still nursing a tube of Honda Moly 60!

[Laitch]

What would a smart person start pack-ratting away in order to keep one's bike in operating shape in the future?  . . . it's a hard sell to fix these when major trouble arises.

I imagine most consumables will be available for quite some time . . . Consider brit, Italian, German & Jap bikes from the 50's & 60's, special interest groups keep them alive. 

Major trouble usually arises when these motos are neglected or not ridden enough. What will keep the moto in operating condition is to: ride it for hours rather than minutes with fresh fuel in the tank, be mindful of changing the spark plugs, transmission oil, final drive oil, engine oil and filter regularly, use high-quality coolant of the correct type, lube the final drive pinion gear shaft splines every year or tire change, and store it out of season with either fresh conditioned fuel or no fuel in the tank.

Find and keep in reserve a mid- to low-mileage final drive with its pinion gear shaft splines in good condition, a driveshaft in similar condition, an OEM rear main seal and an OEM engine output shaft o-ring.

 

[stokester]

Major trouble usually arises when these motos are neglected or not ridden enough. What will keep the moto in operating condition is to: ride it for hours rather than minutes with fresh fuel in the tank, be mindful of changing the spark plugs, transmission oil, final drive oil, engine oil and filter regularly, use high-quality coolant of the correct type, lube the final drive pinion gear shaft splines every year or tire change, and store it out of season with either fresh conditioned fuel or no fuel in the tank.

Find and keep in reserve a mid- to low-mileage final drive with its pinion gear shaft splines in good condition, a driveshaft in similar condition, an OEM rear main seal and an OEM engine output shaft o-ring.

Can't agree more.  Proper maintenance to include valve clearances, clean connectors and spline lube will go along way in prolonging the life of a brick.  There are a few things that can't be helped like the gears in the odometer but regular lube, fluid and filter change along with regular use is something we all can and should do.  There is always the cleaning of the starter and ignition switch that may come about but these are known and easily remedied.

I drained the tank today on my '93 K75S with 75K miles to take a look at the fuel pump expecting to see a deteriorated damper but found a clean tank with a pliable damper.  I do change my fuel filter and use Technron regularly but most of all I think it is because I ride regularly.

[Martin]

I'd get a spare fuel cap, I got quoted $185.00 Au for a used one and at another wreckers I got the same  figure $185.00 Au each  for K75s indicators. This was in Melbourne.  I'd like to get a 75s fairing but they are pretty thin on the ground.

Regards Martin.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

For my K75RT and K100RS 16V I have the following stuff based on what I see on the forums and personal experience:

 Mirrors(L&R) with glass and turn lenses painted to match both bikes 
 Lower fairing panels for RT, painted to match
 Gear position indicator switch
 Odometer and tripmeter
*K75 ignition coils with plug wires
 K100RS 16v Plug wires
*Hall effect sensor plates for both bikes
*Fuel pump
 Clutch friction plate
 Combination switches(L&R)
 Rear turn signals
 Good timing chain with guides and tensioners
*Monkey Knutz
*Alternator drive dog
*Thermostat & Cooling filler cap
*Engine oil filler cap
*Clutch cables for both with barrels and felts
 Gear position indicator circuit board
 Throttle position switch
 MAF sensor
*Complete set of relays, starter relay and BMU
 Chinese rear brake master cylinder
 Numerous bits and pieces of seat, fairing and trim parts.
 K100RS front master cylinder rebuild kit
 Set of K75 injectors with engine harness
 A box of valve shims
*Infamous Z-tube
 Brake pads
 Throttle body rubber bushes and clamps
*Vacuum caps for the throttle bodies
 K75 front master cylinder reservoir and cover
 Brake, clutch, and shift levers
 Clutch push rods
*K75 engine temperature sensor

(*) These K75 parts are packed in a USPS flat rate box ready to mail to anywhere I might have my horizon chaser break down.

I have a spare K75S engine, that is slowly being stripped of parts.  The engine itself isn't too important to me because I am of the opinion that if I maintain them properly, the engines in my bikes will easily outlive me. 

I also have matched paint for both bikes with all the stuff to repair most minor damage.  I don't have major fairing parts and windshields.  They take up too much room, and right now are fairly plentiful on eBay.

[Motorhobo]

I have a parts bike disassembled and stashed in containers with each part logged in Excel files. The frame is being used as storage structure for various items of garage crap.

[stokester]

You guys are too organized.

I have a couple of beer cases with pieces and parts for possible future use.

[Motorhobo]

I'd prefer that but if you have a whole bike parted out, unless you go the Marie Kondo route your garage is full of jumbles of cases and there's no room for the beer.

[Chaos]

You guys are too organized.

I save my old parts for garage art

[BryanD]

Gryph.....   

Does Max BMW call you when they need something??  :) 

I am beginning to see that K riders are meticulous as can be.  It's pretty inspiring to see love these bikes get.  And, it's a credit to their reliability and durability when a product is so darned good that people realize that keeping a stash is going to be crucial to many years of service. 

[The Mighty Gryphon]

BryanD, I've been putting around 10-11,000 miles a year on my bikes.  I run my RT solo as far as 2700 miles from home.  If something breaks, I want to fix it ASAP and for the lowest possible price.  When I first started riding K bikes I spent time watching for good parts at prices well below market.  I pretty much have all the parts I need, and have sold a lot of stuff to other owners to help them out.  So far I haven't needed too many parts for my running bikes, but last year when I was rebuilding a bike that had been in an accident I used a lot of stuff that could have cost me a lot if I had bought it new.

I wish I was a little better organized though.  Sometimes it can take me an hour or more to find something I'm looking for.

[BryanD]

BryanD, I've been putting around 10-11,000 miles a year on my bikes.  I run my RT solo as far as 2700 miles from home.  If something breaks, I want to fix it ASAP and for the lowest possible price.  When I first started riding K bikes I spent time watching for good parts at prices well below market.  I pretty much have all the parts I need, and have sold a lot of stuff to other owners to help them out.  So far I haven't needed too many parts for my running bikes, but last year when I was rebuilding a bike that had been in an accident I used a lot of stuff that could have cost me a lot if I had bought it new.

I wish I was a little better organized though.  Sometimes it can take me an hour or more to find something I'm looking for.

I'm 57 now and am finding that I have tools I didn't remember I had, parts hidden in every nook and cranny and I can't remember where they are, and a "loan" list that has become an "own" list because I know I lent it to someone, but don't remember who.  I constantly have people tell me about something they have of mine and they keep meaning to bring it back.  I play it off like I remember, but really I'm thinking "So THAT'S where it went...". 

[koapono]

If you have the room get yourself a "parts-bike" from e-bay or craigslist.
You can dis-assemble and store, which is a great way to get to know a K.
Or you can leave it assembled and take what you need.
Regardless most of the rubber bits will be useless, unless it was a well maintained runner.
It has been my experience that if I have a part "on the shelf" there never seems to be a need for it.
g'luck

[BryanD]

It has been my experience that if I have a part "on the shelf" there never seems to be a need for it.

It has been my experience that the need for parts depends on whether you own a Triumph or a Honda.....  fer sure. 

[Chaos]

It has been my experience that the need for parts depends on whether you own a Triumph or a Honda.....  fer sure.

I used to believe if a carried a spare part or tool I would never need it, until I bought a Ural.  Now I understand why they come with a sidecar.

[Laitch]

Now I understand why they come with a sidecar.

:giggles

[beemuker]

I save my old parts for garage art

what do you need spare parts for ?  , all you need in addition to that ss wire is a roll of good duct tape. :giggles

[Soggz]

Just get another bike and devide the riding out. Less miles going up on it then, so less wear?

[alexg]

I own a 1975 R75 and it is amazing the number of parts still available. But the big ticket items like tanks, side covers, fenders, front suspension parts, etc. are no longer available.