Author Topic: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.  (Read 27409 times)

Offline dansvan

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 30
Hello all. This is what I started with.
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline dansvan

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 30
Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT.
« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2015, 03:01:14 AM »
He had been ridden hard and put away wet many times. Remained reliable though.

This is him currently.
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline dansvan

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  • Posts: 30
Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT.
« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2015, 03:03:40 AM »
As time permits  I'll fill in the backstory, post the build thats gotten him this far and a couple things still in the works for dear old Bumly. Loving the journey thus far!
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline dansvan

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  • Posts: 30
Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT.
« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2015, 01:01:09 PM »
So I started my search for a Kbike up north here in Eagle River Ak. About 10 minutes outside of Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. There's still been more people in Central Park, NY. than there is in the entire state of Ak. But we have one of the largest per capita groups of MC riders in the US. My search for a Kbike has revealed 2 for sale. A nice K75 in Fairbanks and the one I purchased. Not many for sale. The gentleman I bought Bumly from had owned him for close to 80k miles and many years. Bought in Colorado and driven between Ak and Co many times. A few trips to Mexico thrown in. Stories of being stuck for hours, digging out, tipping the bike over and pivoting on the saddle bags etc. The gentleman had a newer GS and still preferred Bumly for some trips. Said the K bike was way more reliable than the shiny GS. The ad for the bike was very descriptive. It said "if you're looking for a bike that will get you laid, this is NOT your bike. Keep looking." had to laugh at that. So Bumly was covered in duct tape. And still rattled. Everywhere. missing glove box lids, broken hinges, missing broken latches. Most all the mounting points for the fairing and trim were cracked, busted off, repaired and broken again. The big horn bracket and fairing support was broken in half. Wrong bulbs wedged in sockets for light. Overheated and vapor locked regularly.Perfect! exactly what I wanted. I didnt want to rip apart a nice cruiser but wanted to keep a Kbike on the road, and this one deserved to have its life extended. So home it came.
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline dansvan

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Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT.
« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2015, 01:06:58 PM »
First thing I did was strip off the front fairing etc. This left me with no headlight or turn signals and mirrors. I fabbed up a quick bracket and used what I had in the shop to be able to still ride. 
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline dansvan

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  • Posts: 30
Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT.
« Reply #5 on: July 20, 2015, 01:16:11 PM »
It immediately felt different. Lighter. Free-er. I thought hmmm... looks like I'm going the right direction. Next thing was to remove the rear bags and brackets etc. And drop the speedo down which can be done with two straight brackets with a hole in each end.
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline dansvan

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Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT.
« Reply #6 on: July 20, 2015, 01:22:42 PM »
Next up, a better seat and how to make it fit.
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline dansvan

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Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #7 on: July 20, 2015, 02:22:24 PM »
The rear frame needed to be cut down. First order was to lower the tank mounting brackets. Sawzalled them off, ground flush and installed rivnuts. This lowered the bracket and gave me more room for the seat.
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline dansvan

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Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #8 on: July 20, 2015, 02:27:03 PM »
Then I took a small pie shaped wedge out of the rear tubes and bent up at the desired angle ands welded. Then cut the frame off at the desired length, inserted the curved and sectioned piece back into the tubes as the factory had done. Then welded it all up.
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline dansvan

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Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #9 on: July 20, 2015, 02:43:22 PM »
Now how to attach the seat? Door hinge. I attached it to the seat pan and welded it to the crossover tube. I installed the rubber cushions from the old seat onto the new pan where they rest on the frame rails. makes for easy work underneath. Drilled holes in the seat pan for the tailights. I used LED trailer lights. A little paint, install original turnsignals temporarily so I could go ride.
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline JcJ TN K75s

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Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #10 on: July 20, 2015, 03:16:49 PM »
Cool resurrection.
  • Lincoln, TN 37334
  • 1993 K75S? "Stormtrooper" 1999 R1100RTP "Lord Vader"
I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man’s reasoning powers are not above the monkey’s.- Mark Twain

It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native American criminal class except Congress.-
Mark Twain

Offline dansvan

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Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #11 on: July 20, 2015, 03:41:24 PM »
Thanks!

Next on the list were the electrics. I like the open air cleaner look. I like the naked look under the seat. I started by removing the air meter and the air box. Then the relay box went away. Bars and upper clamp along with the radiator were removed for access. What a mess! I coated the computer with truck bed lining. I made a lid out of aluminum for the air box base that would now house the electrics. Made two studs and drilled holes in the ends for keeper pins.
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline dansvan

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Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #12 on: July 20, 2015, 03:56:44 PM »
Now to make all this fit in there. Along the way my new headlight arrived along with the mounts. Had to try it on for size. I like it. Didn't get pics but somewhere along the way I made a turn out for the exhaust complete with baffle. Sounds sweet. Also cut the factory foot peg mounts down. Removed the ignition coils to see how it would look. Originally planned on moving them up where the relay box was. Then a cool bit of kit arrived. A battery from Antigravity batteries. Its model # XPS SC-1. Amazingly powerful and extremely light. I used velcro to mount it on the electrical box and while I think it would have held I added a big ziptie as well. I took the BMU relay out of the system and there was plenty of room for everything in the bottom of the airbox. My strap-ons came in the mail and I put those on as well. Mocked up the air meter and where i wanted the filter. made a vent/cover for the airbox opening by cutting off the snorkel and installing it upside down.
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline dansvan

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Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #13 on: July 20, 2015, 04:19:16 PM »
Made the airfilter adapter out of some plate and a piece of a Jeep Cherokee 4.0 header. Added a slotted tab and threaded the stud above it on the frame to provide some support and height adjustment. A little ultra grey silicone and it was installed to the meter. Installed the prefilter and made brackets to mount the computer to the frame.  Now since the area I was going to put the coils in is now occupied by the air filter I needed a new location for them. They're kind of big and ugly and while they get the job done just fine I wanted to try something different. I used a coil pack and bracket off of a Ford Escort 1.9. Spliced the power wire and the two signal wires and that was done. Ran new larger longer plug wires to the plugs. Works like a peach. Trimmed the tabs off the tank. Cleaned up the wiring some more, installed a new clutch cable and mounted the ignition switch in the left anti-vibe hole. I have a small volt meter coming to fill the right hole. Still have horns to mount, bar mirrors to install, rear Ohlins to put on, rear sets to install.  I would like to modify the seat a little too. It's getting there but so far is working fantastic. I like a bike with character and Bumly has plenty of that.
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline billday

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  • Posts: 1341
Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #14 on: July 20, 2015, 09:58:28 PM »
Great build, great writeup. Thanks!
  • New York State, USA 10977
  • 1985 K100

Offline dansvan

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Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #15 on: July 22, 2015, 01:03:51 PM »
Got my Ohlins rear shock rebuilt. Had to order a few parts for it. Wow! what an amazing difference over the old tired leaking stocker. Well, anything would be an improvement over that one.
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline Elipten

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  • Posts: 715
Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #16 on: July 22, 2015, 08:07:52 PM »
I applaud your ability and creativity.  Great build and thanks for sharing.
  • San Antonio, TX
  • 1990 K75RT

Offline dansvan

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  • Posts: 30
Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #17 on: July 29, 2015, 04:53:35 PM »
Hello all. Decided I'd try and make a little windscreen to try and blend the speedo/headlight area. Not sure i like it yet, we'll see. I took the windscreen that came on the bike and cut it down. I used two rubber insulated clamps to fasten it and some velcro on the inside. Painted the inside with black paint. Might trim, shape it a bit more. Also installed the volt meter in the other handlebar mount hole. Works good. Playing around with the tank cover. I like the look but have to get it stretched out a little .
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline dansvan

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  • Posts: 30
Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #18 on: July 29, 2015, 06:23:56 PM »
ok, dulled down the shield with some scotchbrite. looks better. Also had two extra license plate led bolts. installed them into the headlamp housing for extra running lights.
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline dansvan

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  • Posts: 30
Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #19 on: August 01, 2015, 01:59:46 PM »
Well, took the windshield off. Just couldnt get it to grow on me. I did receive the parts from Germany I needed to complete my rearsets. They turned out great. Very high quality. Will make sure everything works properly for a bit and then trim them down. They were made by KVT.
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline dansvan

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  • Posts: 30
Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #20 on: August 03, 2015, 01:43:48 AM »
Ok, so finally got around to re-doing the seat. Also cut off the back of the rear sets. Replaced the rear vinyl with leather. Turned out much better than before. Also replaced the taillight.
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline ts888

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  • Posts: 50
Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #21 on: August 04, 2015, 06:09:22 PM »
I love how light you made it look.  Opening up the space under the seat is a great variation on other cafe/scrambler style builds I've seen.

Offline dansvan

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Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #22 on: August 12, 2015, 04:25:26 PM »
Hello all. Time to remove some paint in places and add it in others. Painting the wheels and tank a dark bronze color. Taking paint off the front forks and brake rotors. Painting the front fender black. I used aircraft stripper on the front forks and brake rotors. Worked great. Just cleaned, scuffed, primed, sealed and painted the wheels and fender.
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline dansvan

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  • Posts: 30
Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #23 on: August 13, 2015, 01:01:03 PM »
Front end put back together. next up - tank and rear spring
  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

Offline dansvan

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  • Posts: 30
Re: Say hello to Bumly. My 85 K100RT. turned into well, something else.
« Reply #24 on: August 14, 2015, 12:56:57 AM »
Back on the road! Tank done and spring done. Waiting on a supertrapp. We'll see...

  • Eagle River, Ak
  • 1985 k100rt "Bumly"

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