New Member, K100 Needs TLC - Advice?

[big_mack]

Hey guys,

I bought a 1985 K100RS a few weeks ago as sort of an impulse buy - see the pic attached.  It came across craigslist at a good price but for good reason - it's a bit of a fixer-upper.  It runs and rides fine but for me to really be happy with the bike I'd like to do a total rebuild and maybe add some modern touches.

Issues:
  -High beam doesn't work (bulb isn't burned out, so it's a bad switch)
  -Sticky throttle
  -Speedo / odo / tach don't work
  -Doesn't have turn signals and the wiring doesn't appear to be there
  -Minor rust on frame - could use sandblast / powdercoat
  -Full cleanup and checkout of engine/trans while the frame is off
  -Cosmetics - amateur paint job should be redone and I'm not a fan of the standard rear fairing

I had planned that I would do all of the work myself but as I start to look into even minor issues I'm realizing that I have no idea what I'm doing and wonder if I should just pass it on to someone else and buy something that doesn't need any work.

I'm wondering if any of you have any encouragement or advice for me in this spot. Is a total rebuild doable as a newbie?  Is it worth the time and effort, especially considering that everything will be a learning experience for me?  I will say that I'm not a complete idiot, but my lack of experience and the amount of time involved makes me very hesitant to take on the project.

Thanks for any advice,
Dave

[johnny]

greetings big_mack...

you can do it... its easy... will take a little bit of a time commitment... will take a little bit of money... butts you can do it... you can start a project thread and you will get all the help you need...

j o

[Kyle10]

Big Mack,

As the owner of an '85rt, here's my take:

- Get clear on your vision: what will you be looking at and riding when you've attained that image you have in your mind?
You'll need this to get you through the times where your project can seem like a Bataan Death March slog with no honorable way out. 

- Get a Haynes and/or Chilton's manual. Read, read, read.

- Make your list. Organize it (i.e. 'Buy', 'Do', etc.), prioritize it.

- Box, bag and label everything you strip off the bike. Take pictures while you're taking it down. Lots of pictures. You never know when life will keep you away from your project for, say, a week or two or a month and you do not want to rely on your memory and fall victim to the "what went where..?" syndrome. 

- Dive in. Have fun.
  It's damned rewarding and satisfying to bring to fruition the resurrection of a great bike.

[mystic red]

And a big welcome! It will be worth it. Parts are easy to find, either new or used.

[billday]

Get yourself orientated here

http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=370.0

and in all the other posts in the Lieberry.

Nice bike, you'll have fun fixing it up AND riding it.

Bill

[grant71]

HI. good looking bike. i agree  with other posts. go for it. fix your own bike. here  in Capetown mechanics are too young for this bike. im not good with my hands but have decided to do my own repairs and  maintenance. had to replace fuel sensor in the tank. what a performance. got it right though. advice to you . go slow   . be patient and  buy the correct tools. good luck and happy safe riding.

[big_mack]

Thanks for the feedback guys.  I think I'll work on the small stuff first (at least get it road legal) and then figure out where I want to go from there.

I like the cafe style bikes, but I feel like they're pretty impractical.  I want to keep the standard riding position but maybe have a few nods to cafe style - maybe a custom rear fairing, seat, and paint job.  I've actually done some simple molding work so I'm looking into what it would take to make my own mold and do a custom fiberglass rear cowl. I've done a bit of sketching, next time I'm on I can post a pic of what I'm thinking about.

[Grim]

It has the Z bars did you get the saddle bags?
Thats what will make it practical.

http://www.beemerboneyard.com/1sections.html
The Forums Forsale
There are a BUNCH of BMW club forums to hunt also.
Ebay
And
http://kbikeparts.com/
If it were mine I'd get signals on it, possibly a small fairing and the battery covers and call it good if you have the saddle bags. Occasional a tank bag pops up. I really like mine when I wont need to haul much. I just cant stand back packs.

Id plan on doing the clutch and drive shaft spline lubed soon since you have no service documentation. After that it will just need fluid changes for the next 20-25k.
Welcome to the Forum.

[big_mack]

No, no saddle bags.  I got the original front fairing to go with the bike and it looked like the bike had been over a few times, the fairing is basically junk.  I'm guessing the bags were also damaged and just pitched.  I've already taken off the mounting bars.

I'd seen a video about the spline lube - I'll be sure to check the final drive when I start working on the bike.