New member signing in from Nova Scotia

[Gio]

Hello everyone - I have been lurking for a few weeks (lots of good info here) and thought it about time to introduce myself.

I have owned a '94 K75s (~65k miles) since 2006 and have just had it shipped from the UK. She suffered some minor damage in transit (blown fork seal, rear tragkorb bracket detached) but nothing that can't be fixed over the winter - it was insured). I finally got around to fitting the low seat kit just before shipment and have a few other projects I'm planning to do over the winter also :

Rear spline check - no idea if this has been looked at by PO's  (again - great info found on this forum - thanks)
Fork seals / oil (since one has blown anyway)
Bar-backs (heard good things about the A&S from a poster on MOA forum) or maybe a C bar conversion?
New tires (Sport Demons not worn, but now 8 years old ... had good experience with Metzeler on an older Kawi in the past ...)
Front caliper overhaul / new pads (set of Ferodo platinum waiting - never did feel the front brakes were as good as they should be)
Fuel filter (again - no idea if ever done so figured it couldn't harm by now)

Probably no need to tell you what an awesome bike this is to ride - even at 20 years old. Looking forward to putting some more miles (or even km) on next year.

Cheers!

Gio

[drut]

Hello and welcome.Nice looking bike!

[Gio]

Thanks - and thanks! I agree the K75's are not bad looking looking bikes - but it's the ride that makes them shine. Being shorter of in-seam the low seat made a big difference comfort wise, and I also find the bars a bit of a stretch - hence the search for a solution there (~1 inch up and back would be about right for me I think) ...

Gio

[kris]

Not bad looking??!!! I think they are downright COOOOLL. That's why I just bought one. I don't think there's a more interesting looking bike out there. MotoGuzzi has some interest and I got close to going for a naked Goldwing. I think that will be the next demand retro bike. No, the K is quite handsome in her own way. That sideways motor nailed me from the start. And smooth, quiet....SOLD!

Enjoy. You've got a fine looking ride there.

[Gio]

Thanks kris - they are indeed a fine bike (as is the MG I might add) - both unusual in their own, different, ways.

What did you just buy?

Gio

Edit - an '86 K-100 I see from another post ... welcome to the fraternity - and enjoy!

[kris]

Gio,
She's an RT...was really looking for an RS but this one's close enough, given that naked might be her ultimate fate. Her name is Heinz (you've heard of a boy named Sue!...well, this is the reverse). Her PO is deceased. I bought her from the PO's sister. I wanted to honour his memory. She was his pride and joy, so I'm told. I like stories like this. Ran her down the 401 in a snowstorm on Thursday in a U-Haul trailer...the cruelty of our winters!! When all you want to do is ride....who do you use to source your parts? I'm looking for fork seals, gaiters, clutch and throttle cables.

Thanks.

[Gio]

Hi kris

What's in a name eh? I'll share mine in return ... named Buttercup by my then (2006) 7 year-old neice over in the UK and brought back to Canada last Nov. So am still thinking of re-painting Dakar yellow (see jsb's K75 - awesome) - limited edition colour for '94 and so would be period correct - and match the name!

Since most of my ownership time was over in the UK I have always gone to motorworks.co.uk for both new and used parts - I got the low seat (used) from them plus gaiters, fork seals etc and am ordering a spare clutch cable plus a few other parts again shortly. I find the prices reasonable and the service excellent - the costly part is the shipping, but as I'm sure you know, even shipping from the US into Canada can be $$$ (there are no sources for parts here in the maritimes). If you find a good source that might work for us - new member technostructural (also in NS) is looking for some parts also and we are comparing notes via PM.

Roll on spring!

Gio

[Scott_]

..who do you use to source your parts? I'm looking for fork seals, gaiters, clutch and throttle cables.

For the gaiters, Rancho RS1952's, $4 each from amazon. Available if 4 colors and 2 lengths.
For the other parts, check the lieberry for on-line dealers. Some offer discount codes, others may be more likely to have what you want on hand to ship quicker. Personally I get my parts from Max BMW. Drew and Rusty have never steered me wrong.

Don't wast your time looking at fork seals on flea-bay, they don't work(btdt as have others). Stick with the BMW ones, your frustration saved will be worth the price difference.

my 2c worth.......

[kris]

Thanks Gio and Scott. Gio, I called Island BMW to check on a clutch cable. They actually told me to go to Bobsbmwpartsfiche to source the number! Said their system was down. Bob's appears to be out of Maryland. There is Budd's in Oakville, TorontoBMWmotorrad, etc.. Shouldn't be too hard to get someone on the north side to ship you stuff. As always do your research. Often if the US supplier will use US Postal Service it can go well. Some will only do FEDEX and UPS and I've found that can be costly.

Does anyone know of the best method to clean accumulated varnish out of the gas tank without damaging rubbers, etc.? I heard one guy talk about white mineral spirits (Varsol?) and I think I read something about acetone. Any tips much appreciated.

I am compelled to attack Heinz (the new acquisition) even it a small cold garage at -13C (9F) with a pathetic excuse for a heater. I want Spring!!

[bocutter Ed]

TorontoBMWmotorrad

... 8km due south of me. Mongrel's in the middle.

[Gio]

kris - agreed re USPS if coming from the US ... this is how I had some used parts from fellow brickers in Texas shipped recently.

Re the clutch cable, I haven't compared pricing yet, but motorworks has two options for the K75s # CAA50213 (std?) @ 16.90 GBP and #CAA50215B (featherlight?) @ 16.50 GBP - those are internal part #'s I think. I would interested to know $ from BMW Toronto.

Current XR is around 1.5 so that would be ~ $25 US ..?

(Edit - for Canadians at 1.8 that would be ~ $30 CDN, no VAT on UK end or GST on this end)

[kris]

Thank you!

[The Mighty Gryphon]

I have just done a restore on a '92 K100RS and some work on a '94 K75RT.  For parts, I have been very happy with Max BMW.  Their parts fiches are great for checking part numbers and seeing how things go together.  I can't say if it is true, but I have heard recently that if you have a part number you can order parts from your local BMW automobile dealer's parts dept.

If you can take some time to watch for a part, there are some really great deals I have gotten on eBay. 

There is a listing of equivalent parts for things like spark plugs and oil filters. 
http://www.ibmwr.org/otech/partsubs.shtml#kbikes

Hope this helps.

[Gio]

Good info to have MG - thanks.

Gio

[Green Monster]

Hey Gio - Welcome (a little late I know) to the forum!  Nice looking bike!

A few friends and I may be heading your way this summer - mid July-ish.  We are including stops at Acadia National Park, Bangor, Quispamsis, Amherst, Halifax, Cape Breton National Highlands.  :riding:  Still under the planning and development phase but would be great to meet up if you're in our path!

Let me know!

Michael

[Gio]

Thanks Michael ... I'm in the Annapolis valley, so not exactly on your route (about an hour NW of Halifax) ... sounds like a great route you have planned!

Gio