New K owner in Vancouver Canada

[Daveontheedge]

Good day all! I have recently purchased a 1994 K1100LT, 94000KMS so it needs some serious love. Looking fwd to using this resource to keep it running for another 100000kms!

[Laitch]

Welcome to the scrum!

In the Technical Directory Service Bulletin section, you can download the Motronic 2.1_2.2 Training Manual to learn how the engine management system works. Yours is a 2.2. In the Service Manual section, you can download the BMW K1100 LT/RS workshop manual and the K1100 Riders Handbook, if necessary.

Good luck with your Brick!

[Scott_]

Welcome Dave, from what I can see, yours is in way better shape than mine right now.

I have a '95 in the same color that I tried taking off the road earlier this year, it didn't work out very well. Bad enough to the point that it's going to become parts to put my '97 back on the road.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Welcome!  Nice looking bike, that grey is a great color.  Judging from the photo, it doesn't need much cosmetic attention.  Mechanicals shouldn't be too much trouble, they're pretty straightforward. 

[kris]

Welcome from Hamilton, Ontario. My '86 K100RT had a shade more mileage on her when purchased. The bike sat for 9 years. Ten years later the love affair continues. I stripped her down - devoid of the fairing now. Was drawn to the engine/transmission - the industrial and raw mechanical look of her. Fluids, filters, spline shaft inspection and lube and some fresh plugs and see how you like her! There are other quirks to work on but you'll find those recommendations elsewhere....like the weird little Z tube under the tank! Best of luck.

[Daveontheedge]

The pic doesn't quite show the accurate condition. The bags are pretty beaten up, the side cover panels are held on with zip ties and the front fairing has a pretty good crack in it by the headlight. Not sure how a previous owner did that. The engine seems to be in pretty good condition, no corrosion or leaks, compression is low (110-120 on all four cylinders). I plan to do a full tear down for new bearings, seals and gaskets.

[Laitch]

The engine seems to be in pretty good condition, no corrosion or leaks, compression is low (110-120 on all four cylinders). I plan to do a full tear down for new bearings, seals and gaskets.

How long had that Brick been idle when you bought it?

[Daveontheedge]

No idea. The guy I bought it from said he only used it to go up and down the road. He didn't mention how often.I was planning a full tear down regardless.

[Scott_]

These bricks are pretty robust.
I have a '97 with 56K miles, had been setting un-started/ridden for 6years. Put in a battery, connected a fuel tank, checked all the connections and it fired right up as if it had just been ridden the day before.
No smoke at all, black, blue, or otherwise.

[Daveontheedge]

It fires right up, little bit of smoke till it's warmed up. I just figure with the amount of time and money I plan to put into it, might as well just do it now while its apart.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

At 94 thousand km I would figure the engine is just getting broken in.  If it has been sitting for a long period it's quite possible the rings are sticky and need to loosen up.  This is fairly common in all engines.  Before you tear into the engine I would suggest that you put a little Marvel Mystery Oil in each cylinder and start the engine.  it will smoke, but the oil will get into the ring lands and loosen them up.  A bottle of Techron Fuel System Cleaner in a full tank of fuel will clean out any varnish in the injectors as well as help loosen the rings.  Ride the bike for a few weeks and then do a second compression check before spending the time and money on a rebuild.

That should be all your engine needs beyond normal fluid maintenance, valve clearance check, and possibly rear seal and clutch o-ring service.  These engines are good for well over 150,000 miles before any major service is needed.  IMO the classic K is probably the best engine BMW ever made and that includes the automobiles.

[Laitch]

What he said. ⬆︎

[Daveontheedge]

All very good arguments and the K bikes robustness is why I've wanted one for sometime now. I'm very familiar with Marvel Mystery Oil as I've used it in the past for getting valves loosened up or even cleaning up a fuel system on piston aircraft. The end goal isn't just a working K bike, I'm building a prestine cafe racer out of it. I've already picked up an R1100S swingarm and final drive to help the gearing get more sporty. This will be paired with an R1100RS driveshaft to match the K gearbox output splines.
This has been a dream project for quite awhile now and I finally have a chance to start it. The engine will be taken apart for paint regardless and while I've been primarily working on turbine engines, I have plenty of experience with piston engines and look forward to having one apart again.

This is the goal bike:

[Laitch]

I'm very familiar with Marvel Mystery Oil as I've used it in the past for getting valves loosened up or even cleaning up a fuel system on piston aircraft.

The problem with a neglected Brick is the piston rings. In disuse they're likely to stick and lower compression until they're mechanically loosened by Ring-Job-In-A-Can potions. I've used fogging oil to loosen rings and valves in other engines.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it is the mantra for Brick ownership in general. Of course, that idea wouldn't apply to Bricks as artwork rather than transportation.

Did you render that design on software, or is it an existing inspiration?