New old member

[redtank]

Hello,
Few years back I bought a used '88 K75 with approx 35K miles (maybe 135K???), rode it for a year and sold to a friend. Last week I swapped one of my other bike for the K75 I'd sold so will be riding it again.
My question is: Can I lower the K75, maybe an inch or two? Bike is a tad too tall for my inseam and would feel more stable if I could reach the ground better. That 500lbs is getting harder to hustle around as I get on in my 60's  :dunno2:    Other question is whats the best lube for drive shaft and clutch splines?  Thanks for the help in advance!!

Cris

[dougrs]

Does it already have a low seat? That will lower your seating position a little. I have one for sale if you are interested.

[johnny]

greetings redtank...

welcome to motobrick.com...

i hear some folks have successfully lowered abouts an inch or so by lowering the triple tree clamps on the forks and putting on a shorter rear shock...

its this motobrickers opinion that it anything other lower than stock height is asking for dragging boot and breaking ankle or dragging under moto stuff like the stands the like which can be whack...

it also changes the moto geometry which can be whack if you are a canyon racer...  or a flatlander who forgets to turn when that elusive curve presents itself...

dougrs wants to know if you have a low seat... post up some photos and let us take a look... if you dont have a low seat then that may be something you wanna think about...

chaos is a ^ quintessential motobricker... he lowered his moto and aints  broke his ankle yet... at least he aints owning up to it...


j o

[Chaos]

greetings, welcome.

I have the progressive shock that's and inch shorter and slid the forks up the triple clamps about an inch.  It helps lower the bike a bit, not enuf for me to notice any handling difference but a little more secure with my feet down.  As for lubes, Honda Moly 60 (Honda dealers, Amazon, Ebay) is great stuff, I use it.  Beemerboneyard.com sells Guard Dog Moly http://www.beemerboneyard.com/gdmoly2oz.html that I've heard works well too.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

I lowered the triple clamps about a half inch and have the rear Works Performance shock set for it's softest setting.   I'm 6' and my inseam is 32" and this let's me flatfoot my K75.   Doesn't seem to have done anything negative to handling or cornering.

Beyond this, just living with the bike for a while will help you get used to it's weight.  I know that my bike felt really topheavy and clumsy when I first had it, but after a few months I guess I got used to it, and now it is a lot easier to move around at low speed.   

[Brad-Man]

Welcome back!

I'm 5'11" w/32" inseam and as long as I am wearing heeled boots I have no problem flat-footing my K100.

I was surprised at how nimble it was seeing that the only bikes I have ridden in the last 35 years are Yamaha RD 350's!

Mine is naked and I took the MSF course and was a bit more nimble than a lot of the hogs being ridden.  I Would have taken the RD to it but it was undergoing maintenance...

Of course I weigh ~ 250 lbs....

[redtank]

Thanks to ever one that answered. I like the idea of sliding the forks up an inch in the triple clamps and either a shorter shock/softer spring rate. Anyone have a link to either one of these products (on line)? I will post pics as soon as I get a chance, and yes, I have the lowered seat. One thing that astounds me is the side stands ease of retracting, not to mention it going when the clutch is pulled  :yow   I figure if you can remember to put up the side stand, no point in riding. I'm as guilty as the next guy of leaving one down (another bike) and getting woken up upon the first left hand turn  :eek:    Saw a K100 trike conversion on the net today (white bike) looked interesting, but probably not practical (no reverse). One thing I'd never want to do is alter a bikes suspension/balance and it result in a high speed tank slapper. I live thru one of those 20 years ago on I35 south of Waco, Tx and had to bail off the bike at 65 mph. I understand some beemer boxers are prone to this problem, have haven't heard anything about the in line water cooled models.

Thanks,
Cris

[redtank]

Photo of my K bike, needs side covers, but when I've been able to find them, they're over $100  :yow

[richarddacat]

You're out of luck on side covers using the low seat setup.

But if you find some that fit let me know. I'm about ready to make my own.

[johnny]

greetings...

does not look like a low seat to me from that photo...

j o

[MonkeyMcBean]

greetings redtank...

welcome to motobrick.com...

i hear some folks have successfully lowered abouts an inch or so by lowering the triple tree clamps on the forks and putting on a shorter rear shock...

its this motobrickers opinion that it anything other lower than stock height is asking for dragging boot and breaking ankle or dragging under moto stuff like the stands the like which can be whack...

Heck, I toe drag sometimes at stock height!

[redtank]

Jonny,
Okay, I don't have a "low" seat, would you please point me in the right direction for buying one? Also, having to install 12v blinkers on bike, still having original two rear units, but front are gone. Only blinker units I can find are LED, and money tells me there will be a conflict when mixing the two.......need to know what best practice for mix and match there is.

Thank you,
Cris