Das Brick: 93 K75 S Renovation

[Bon Jon Bovi]

So the much-rumored and long-awaited Florida Brick finally arrived after a two-week ice/snow delay. Mystic Red S model with a touch over 16000 miles on the clock. I've already got a fairly lengthy list of to-do stuff before I take it on the road, mostly age-related like cracked fuel and breather lines and a general clean-up and once-over. There's oil along the bottom of the motor, and fork oil is coming out and running down the stanchions.

There's a disconnected brake hose by the forks that needs to be fished out; the ABS is bypassed and I'll consider hooking it back up (probably not). The PO said he didn't touch the final drive so I'll get in there and renew the old grease. The handlebars are the original Black Sabbath-looking unit (straight attachment bar with 90º welded grab bars)

like these. I will probably go on a hunt for C bars at some point but I'll get some miles on it first.

The keys are a little problematic. There's an original BMW flip key and a spare. Both operate the seat lock, steering lock and fuel cap with ease, but it's a fight to get the ignition to turn. I have to wiggle the key and pull it partway out to get it to work. The ignition switch was installed 90º out, with '"off" lined up with the "on"position in the dashpad so I'm thinking it's probably not the original switch. I talked to our nearly-local BMW dealer and as told they can't get keys for it. SO at some point I'll drop by a locksmith in El Paso that can cut steel keys and see if they can make one from the switch. Or just live with it. I might also try taking the switch apart to get at the tumbler leafs.

It's got a Luftmeister exhaust on it. The PO included the original muffler so gonna reinstall that once the header pipes arrive. If I like the sound of the stock exhaust I'll post the Luftmeister up here for anyone interested.

So that gets us started. I'm currently laid up recovering from surgery on my right hand so not much will happen quickly. In the meantime, once I get cleared to flying status again I'll get the R1100RT out and blow the collywobbles outta my hair.

[K1300S]

ignition most likely installed correctly.  it is oriented not for the metal key direction, but for the arrow on the folded over original"flip" plastic key end.  it should be 90 out from the metal key. 

it is an S....keep the S bars.  they are much better than the non-S options. 

i would try to get the ABS working.   the system is good when it is.

i have done a couple of threads on K75S revivals..they are pinned at top of the classic section.

[Bon Jon Bovi]

ignition most likely installed correctly.  it is oriented not for the metal key direction, but for the arrow on the folded over original"flip" plastic key end.  it should be 90 out from the metal key. 

it is an S....keep the S bars.  they are much better than the non-S options. 

i would try to get the ABS working.   the system is good when it is.

i have done a couple of threads on K75S revivals..they are pinned at top of the classic section.

Thanks for the reply, good info. Tomorrow and Monday are travel days,Tuesday has a 70% chance of frozen precip so I'll be back at it then. I want to get the gas tank off to see 'what LIES beneath'. I can see where the PO cut wires to install the aftermarket fuel pump, and I found some grommets lying on top of the transmission case on the left side that are a mystery. I'll report more later.

[caveman]

"it is an S....keep the S bars.  they are much better than the non-S options."

I've got two 75s one with s bars and one with c bars on 2" bar backs. The s bars are great for shorter trips and mountain road riding but the other set up is much better for touring IMO.

[Laitch]

it's a fight to get the ignition to turn. I have to wiggle the key and pull it partway out to get it to work. The ignition switch was installed 90º out, with '"off" lined up with the "on"position in the dashpad . . .

ignition most likely installed correctly.  it is oriented not for the metal key direction, but for the arrow on the folded over original"flip" plastic key end.  it should be 90 out from the metal key.

Spray some silicone on the key blade. Insert it into the lock. Fold down the key when starting then turn it firmly. Cleaning the ignition switch of neglected motos is always good practice but disassembly must be done patiently.

[Laitch]

The handlebars are the original Black Sabbath-looking unit (straight attachment bar with 90º welded grab bars) like these.

That bar is upside down in the photo. Right side up it isn't evocative of any Sabbath to me. 

[K1300S]

"it is an S....keep the S bars.  they are much better than the non-S options."

I've got two 75s one with s bars and one with c bars on 2" bar backs. The s bars are great for shorter trips and mountain road riding but the other set up is much better for touring IMO.

everybody is different.  S bars in the proper "master yoda" low angle position are perfect for all day riding for me.  i can't stand the upright position of C bars or barbacks for any length of time.

[Bon Jon Bovi]

A great thing, forums. We's all different and have different comfort zones. I WILL ride before making any decisions but generally upright or even reclined is better on my once-herniated-disc lower back.

I'll look into patient disassembly of the ignition switch for a good internal cleaning, can't be much harder than the Honda and Yammy switches I've taken apart.

Onward. Had a little time this morning to remove the fairing bits and the gas tank. Prior to arrival of the bike, the PO sent videos of cold starts of the engine in 60º and 40º temps in which it fired right up with full choke, then none. It idled very nicely on the chilly South Florida coast.
Fast-forward to startup at 9000 chilly NM feet above sea  level: fired right up after three weeks' hiatus, but stumbles at first  chokeposition and dies quickly with the choke off. I did a quick sync with the Motion Pro but they weren't very far off. However, when the left side fairing came off I discovered this:

Left (return) hose is bent 90º. Hmm. Manual says it's a return hose. So it seems the proper routing is between the frame and radiator hose, under the fairing bracket. Clymers' pic is not helpful so I'll have to get it sorted once new hoses eventually arrive.

That's all for today, travelling here shortly. Good weekend to all, Happy Bricking (unless you gave it up for Lent, in which case: dayum)

[volador]

A great thing, forums...
Pic rotated but lower hose is bent 90º. Hmm. Manual says it's a return hose. So it seems the proper routing is between the frame and radiator hose, under the fairing bracket. Clymers' pic is not helpful so I'll have to get it sorted once new hoses eventually arrive.

That's all for today, travelling here shortly. Good weekend to all, Happy Bricking (unless you gave it up for Lent, in which case: dayum)

Yes they certainly are

OE hose has a 90º bend to prevent that  13 31 1 461 011    HOSE   0.09    1     $33.82
otherwise it's all in the routing of the aftermarket hose connecting to the top of fuel pressure regulator

[Laitch]

It looks ok to me passing around the frame then heading downward to the return fitting.


Here's where it couples.

[Martin]

I've had my 75s over twenty years. When I first got it I used to trap my thumbs on full lock. Over the years the bars have progressively been rotated up and back. I have not had to replace cables to do so.
Regards Martin.

[stokester]

everybody is different.  S bars in the proper "master yoda" low angle position are perfect for all day riding for me.  i can't stand the upright position of C bars or barbacks for any length of time.

[K1300S]

Yes they certainly are

OE hose has a 90º bend to prevent that  13 31 1 461 011    HOSE   0.09    1     $33.82
otherwise it's all in the routing of the aftermarket hose connecting to the top of fuel pressure regulator

Yep.  This is one of the places where the right answer is to use the factory part, not just plain hose.  Factory part has two molded in bends that prevent the hose from collapsing.

[Bon Jon Bovi]

Hoses plus other stuff ordered, I’m off to get stitches out in El Paso ( that’s Spanish for “El Paso” for those who don’t sprecken zie) Another pic of the wonked-up hose:
 

[Laitch]

Another pic of the wonked-up hose:

It's all clear to me now.

Thanks for the translation, too. It seems a more effective Hispanic promotional name than naming an automobile Nova. 

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Dang!!!  I lived there for 2 years and never knew what El Paso meant.  Ya learn something new every day!

[Bon Jon Bovi]

Dang!!!  I lived there for 2 years and never knew what El Paso meant.  Ya learn something new every day!

I’m here to help.

[Bon Jon Bovi]

[volador]

That beauty looks like it don't need much

[Bon Jon Bovi]

That beauty looks like it don't need much

The light's not great, you've had a few too many, getting close to closing time, beer goggles on...

She's just been neglected but not horribly. Just needs someone (me) to put some attention time in. The ugliest things I've found so far aren't bad at all - the bent-almost-closed fuel line, the damaged paint on the right fairing from brake fluid spillage, like that. Lots of dated rubber that will get replaced. I'm happy with her! 

[billday]

That color kicks butt.

[Bon Jon Bovi]

Keep 'em? Chuck 'em? Ride it first? Not sure if just moving the bars up and not also back will do much, except avoid smashed fingers.

[Bon Jon Bovi]

That color kicks butt.

Thanks billday. BTW, if you live on Florida's Lost Coast, were born 1/2/53 and own a specialty shoe store, then you're my older brother and have been lying to me about liking motorcycles our whole life!!

[billday]

Thanks billday. BTW, if you live on Florida's Lost Coast, were born 1/2/53 and own a specialty shoe store, then you're my older brother and have been lying to me about liking motorcycles our whole life!!

That ain't me, babe.

[natalena]

Keep 'em? Chuck 'em? Ride it first? Not sure if just moving the bars up and not also back will do much, except avoid smashed fingers.

Everyone's weird in their own unique way, I'd ride it before spending coin, it may be perfect as is.
I went for the SW Motech (an up and back bracket) with the stock bars. It's works fine for now, but a new brake line with 1" more length are in order ... if I do that, I might as well change to BEP, grind the loop off, knock the front fender off, and make the brick a custom Millenial Brat Street Fighter Naked SCUD Trackster. ;)

* there should be a prize for "most tweaked fuel line", you'd be a serious contender.