1995 K1100RS/ Is it a minefield?

[kris]

Hi all,
I'm considering the purchase of a '95 K1100RS with about 32,000 miles on it. The owner, who says he bought it from a good friend, says the bike is in good shape. He's just too old, at 65, to ride hunched over like that. This bike is near Toronto and hasn't, apparently, been on the road in 8 months. Our weather is mild at the moment and I may be able to ride it first. My question is, assuming the worst case scenario (low or no maintenance), how bad could the input shaft/ drive shaft splines be on this bike? Are there any other big scary things about an 1100 of this vintage that I should be concerned about? The sale price could be $2800 but I'd rather go $2500 - $2600....
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. My other option is an '86 K75c but with closer to 70,000 on the clock or another at close to 100,000.

Thanks and Merry Christmas to all!

[johnny]

greetings kris...

on center stand with side stand up... key on... press start button... if it starts right up let it idle while you make sure all the switches work... low beam high beam left turn right turn horn front brake rear brake... then wait till the radiator fan comes on... after checking the tiors and brakes... give it a go... if abs works... go up and down through the gears for a few miles... if its a smooth roller (hands off bars) and a beastly runner (lotts of yeeeehaaaa)... and if you gotts all teeth smile ear to ear... buy it...

then replace all the fluids and give it a proper go over before you ride it cross country...

more here...

j o

[kris]

Hi Johnny,
You are the best, man! Always quick on the draw. Thank you. No ABS on this one. Apparently this older guy ordered it that way in Germany then brought it over. But that input shaft wouldn't worry you with that mileage?

[johnny]

greetings kris...

if no abs...  its been bastardized... i would walk away from it because i dont wanna f with a motobrick somebody other than myself has bastardized...

splines on the 1100 rs and lt are different than the rest... should be ok... butts gotts to pull it apart to know for sure... 

j o

[rbm]

I think the K1100 splines don't have the same wear characteristics as the earlier K100's splines.  Consequently, your worries should extend to the final drive pivot bearings rather than the drive shaft.  The pivot bearings tend to die early if their preload specs are not maintained.

You can quickly check the condition by putting the bike on the centre stand so that the rear wheel is off the ground, grab the rear wheel at 3:00 and 9:00, and attempt to twist on the wheel.  It should be immovable.  Pivot bearing problems show up as small perceptible movement of the final drive.  Repair is not expensive but ignoring the problem can lead to catastrophic drive shaft failure.

[kris]

Thanks guys. Would it have been possible to order the bike from the factory without ABS?

[rbm]

.

[bocutter Ed]

Ok, so whereabouts in Ontario are you?

[koapono]

Thanks guys. Would it have been possible to order the bike from the factory without ABS?

i doubt you could order w/out ABS, even if you lived in germany but this is just an assumption on my part.
check for ABS components: momentary switch on dash panel, relay under seat, unused brake lines under seat and fuel tank, sensors and toothed rings on front and rear tires, ABS sticker on front fork and finally wiring harness. if all these are missing someone did a thorough job of removing ABS or perhaps, it was never installed.
g'luck

[kris]

Good morning gents:
I am in Hamilton. Thanks for all your replies. BTW, it's looking like a bike riding day! 36 going to 43 degrees. Always a bonus in December in these parts. I emailed BMW Germany and according to the May, 1995 price list ABS was an option on the K1100RS. This would jibe with what the seller told me...that this was an import bike purchased without ABS. The German rep couldn't comment on what was available in North America at the time and referred me BMWOA or BMW Canada for further inquiry. Thought you folks might be interested. Thanks, koapono, for your tips. I noticed in some photos of the k1100 that there is a conspicuous "ABS" decal on what appears to be some kind of pump/motor on the side of the bike. It appears to be inconsistent in its appearance in the photo gallery on various bikes.

Another older K100 has just come on the market and the seller says that his speedo stopped working in the Spring. His mechanic says it might be the rear wheel sensor. Any thoughts on that? The bike appears mint (it's an '87). The seller (in his mid '60's) just uses a GPS for his speedo (which seems a bit odd since the rest of the bike is in good nick) to get around. I imagine there are used speedos around. Would rather not get into that unless necessary.

[bocutter Ed]

the seller says that his speedo stopped working

My speedo sometimes cuts in & out. Pretty sure it's the 3-prong connector inside the instrument cluster.

[rbm]

Another older K100 has just come on the market and the seller says that his speedo stopped working in the Spring. His mechanic says it might be the rear wheel sensor. Any thoughts on that?

Rear wheel sensors rarely die.  It's more likely the connector on the right side of the frame under the battery cover that is making a poor connection or the three-prong Ed referred to. 

IMO, You're probably better to go with the K1100 for its modernity (Motronic 2, paralever, progressive front suspension, smoother engine, etc.) than the K100.  The lack of ABS is not detrimental.  If the PO removed the ABS, just ensure that the job was done safely.  Check the RealOEM site for that model and year bike to see if non-ABS parts diagrams exist.  If they do, then the story of factory-supplied non-ABS brakes is viable; if not, then the story is a fabrication.

[kris]

Thank you gentlemen. I will continue my research.

[F14CRAZY]

greetings kris...

if no abs...  its been bastardized... i would walk away from it because i dont wanna f with a motobrick somebody other than myself has bastardized...

splines on the 1100 rs and lt are different than the rest... should be ok... butts gotts to pull it apart to know for sure... 

j o

What if Drake owned it previously? I don't think a bike could be any more bastard-ed... :clap:

[kris]

One more thing I thought I would mention. I gleaned this from one of Chris Harris' videos as he was comparing European and American model K1100's or K100's...can't quite remember. But the interesting thing had to do with the shift lever. The American model got a flat shifter while the Euros got a round one...it's an odd little thing to do and God only knows why but there you have it!