New K75s in 2 weeks?

[Scud]

Greetings from San Diego. I've made arrangements to fly-and-ride for a K75s in the San Francisco area. It's a business trip, and I get to ride one-way home. The seller has recently been confronted with more repairs than he wants to invest in. But I do my own work, and I think the parts will not be too expensive. The bike has about 42,000 miles and he has a recent inspection report (which caused him to want to sell it). I'm getting it for a low price to reflect the repairs needed.

A bit about me: long time rider, pretty good wrench. Past BMWs were 1981 R100CS, 1996 R1100RT, and I am currently parting out a 2000 R1100RT. I have a pair of Moto Guzzi V11s for sport riding:  a Scura and a LeMans - and a Husqvarna TE450 for the dirt.

I plan to use the K75s for commuting (day to day), and 1 to 3-day trips.

So... here are the issues. I'd appreciate any advice, links to helpful threads etc.

1) Rear seal leaking:  I know that means splitting the engine/transmission - but any advice, "while-you're there" tips, etc. would be appreciated. This is the major repair causing the sale (something like 15 hours labor quoted).  I agree it's a big job, but 15 hours seems high.

2) ABS not working:  Anybody know some good threads re ABS reset, trouble-shooting, or removal? (would prefer to fix, but wouldn't mind dropping 25 pounds either).

3) Compression readings from front to rear:  142, 170, 180.  Says it runs really well, and smooth. But given the front cylinder's compression is lower than the others, I wonder if it might needs rings before long.

4) Fork tube pits: the seals are new, but he said the inner fork tubes should be polished or replaced to make the seals last longer. I had not heard of polishing them before. Is this a known procedure?

Of course, I'll change all the fluids and do a thorough clean/lube as soon as I get it home.

Thanks in advance. What are your favorite sources for brick parts?

[stokester]

Welcome Scud,
I can chime in on your ABS question because I went through it when with mine.  The previous owner removed the relay and put tape over the warning light and the brakes work just fine without it but I like it for work as designed.  So I searched to find out how the system works and how to read the fault codes.  Mine happened to be a problem with the "brain" which I had repaired by Tosi and everything has worked flawlessly for over four years now.

I started here -> http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech.shtml

Tosi's site with some good info ->http://bmwk10075abs1fix.web.fc2.com/index.html

Good luck.

[Scott_]

So... here are the issues. I'd appreciate any advice, links to helpful threads etc.

1) Rear seal leaking:  I know that means splitting the engine/transmission - but any advice, "while-you're there" tips, etc. would be appreciated. This is the major repair causing the sale (something like 15 hours labor quoted).  I agree it's a big job, but 15 hours seems high.

I'd tend to think that it is more the 'clutch nut o-ring' leaking as they age and break, less likely to be the output seal. Not uncommon for a K-bike now a days as they are all over 18yrs old. You can replace both at the same time as you do have to remove the clutch basket nut to replace the o-ring, and replacing the seal will only be about another 5 minutes after the nut is off.......

Also note, check any/all rubber bits for drying/aging/cracking especially the brake lines. They may be breaking down internally and you not know it.

2) ABS not working:  Anybody know some good threads re ABS reset, trouble-shooting, or removal? (would prefer to fix, but wouldn't mind dropping 25 pounds either).

3) Compression readings from front to rear:  142, 170, 180.  Says it runs really well, and smooth. But given the front cylinder's compression is lower than the others, I wonder if it might needs rings before long.

I'd suggest running some seafoam or mmo in your oil for a bit to see if you can improve the compression. I have heard of this being done with very good results without a tear-down.

4) Fork tube pits: the seals are new, but he said the inner fork tubes should be polished or replaced to make the seals last longer. I had not heard of polishing them before. Is this a known procedure?

I can't say as I have of heard of 're-polishing' or refinishing the chrome tubes to correct physical pitting, but I suppose for enough $$ anything is possible. I'd recommend keeping your eyes open for a good set of used ones, they do come up for sale from time to time. Or check with some bike breakers. They seem popular out there on the west coast, at least more of them there than here in the midwest.....

Of course, I'll change all the fluids and do a thorough clean/lube as soon as I get it home.

Thanks in advance. What are your favorite sources for brick parts?

Anything that I must buy from BMW, I tend to buy from Max's BMW.
You may have a dealer closer to you, I've always had good service from Max's.
There are others here:
http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/board,49.0.html

[stokester]

Thanks in advance. What are your favorite sources for brick parts?

I also buy my BMW parts from Max but sometimes from Bob's as well.

Beemerboneyard is also a good source for parts -> http://www.beemerboneyard.com

[Scud]

Thanks for the welcomes, advice, and links so far. On the rear main seal - that's a good thought that the issue could be with the clutch nut o-ring. That does seem more likely at 40,000 miles, because rear seals tend to be quite durable. The inspector had to speculate (inspectulate?) about the potential cause of the leak, because he/she did not open it up to see. That would be an excellent (aka easier) repair.

Good thought on the brake lines. Is there a favorite pre-emptive repair for the flexible portions of the lines - like a braided line kit?

I planned to dump some SeaFoam in the gas for the ride home. Good idea to do that with the oil too - and just change her out at home. And Seafoam direct into the vacuum ports can clean up some crud around the valves and inside the combustion chambers.

Here's a gratuitous Moto Guzzi picture (my V11 Sport Scura):



I'm going to have to add a line to my manometer.... haven't had more than two cylinders for a long time.

[Scud]

More on the K75s - it's a 1992, and it's blue.   

I'll probably put the wider (and lower profile) Avon AM26 tires on it, which I read about on another thread here. My Amazon wish-list is currently holding a 110/80V-18 for the front and a 140/80V-17 for the rear.  Odd sizes... but you all already know that.

[Chaos]

as for the low compression, check the valves.  They need adjusting so rarely they tend to get ignored.  Unlikely it needs rings, the nikalsil coated cylinders wear forever but cannot easily be honed or bored.  Easier to swap out the engine, but if it doesn't get worse I'd just leave it alone.

[Gio]

Hey Scud ... nice to see you over on this forum as we "know" each other on the lemans site ... nice Scura, but would be nicer if it were a green V11 Sport ... and if you want to swap your ohlins front-end danglers for more traditional Marz, just let me know - ok?

Cheers - and welcome!

Gio

[Scud]

Hey Scud ... nice to see you over on this forum as we "know" each other on the lemans site ... nice Scura, but would be nicer if it were a green V11 Sport ... and if you want to swap your ohlins front-end danglers for more traditional Marz, just let me know - ok?

Cheers - and welcome!

Gio

Thanks Gio. While the black Marzocchis would look fabulous on the Scura, I cannot let you commit the fashion sin of installing gold forks on a green-body, red-frame bike. I hope you understand that my concern is purely for the appearance of your bike.  <insert sarcasm emoticon here>  :hehehe

I've been looking at the K75s for a while. Just missed a lovely white one a few months ago. How long have you had yours?

I sold enough parts off that R1100RT (which I got for $600) to buy this K75s. Here's the picture from the ad - but the bike is 400 miles from here and I won't see it for a couple weeks. Hopefully it all works out.

[Gio]

No worries mate - the stock marz on the V11 are plain silvery colour - and I'm ok with the gold/green/red combo so we

[Gio]

are good to go. Have owned my 75s since 2006, but just brought her back over from the UK - currently in several pieces undergoing a complete overhaul (splines, rubbers, forks etc) and will be on the road come spring time.

They are an awesome bike - (seems you have reasonable taste already) and despite a few quirks, will not be disappointed!

Gio

[rbm]

For the lower compression in one cylinder, it's probably closed up intake valve gap.  A valve shimming will help, as Kaos pointed out.

Try cleaning the fork seal with a plastic strip.  Dirt dirt between the fork slider and seal can cause leakage.

Good ABS page.

[Scud]

Thanks RBM. I notice, in your signature, another Moto Guzzi - a V7. Bricks & Guzzis...  :clap: 

[Scud]

Picked up the K75s last night in Oakland area - seller was very helpful and totally honest about the bike. I found a few things that he seemed genuinely surprised about, so I don't think was trying to hide anything (just not mechanically minded). Funny thing, related to that - I asked if the tool kit was on the bike. He said no. I found it this morning - perfect, complete, and apparently never used. He must not have known to look in the toolbox... only looked in the tail cowl, where there is a nice tire repair kit.

Starts easy, runs great, perfect shifting. Needs some TLC and maintenance - few dings, corrosion, etc. Currently in San Jose, need to stop in Sacramento, Modesto, and Tulare before getting home to San Diego.

Tires show some mild sidewall cracks, so I'm going to take it easy - unless I can figure out how to squeeze time for new tires between my meetings. I think she's going up on the lift this weekend. Maybe I'll put a toaster tank on it - cuz I expect it to be reliable as a toaster.

[Tuco]

I want to see that toaster tank on a K bike!

[drut]

"Here's a gratuitous Moto Guzzi picture (my V11 Sport Scura):"

I love my K but that Guzzi is gorgeous!

[Scud]

I want to see that toaster tank on a K bike!

That would be fun experiment - and I do have a few small dents on the tank...... hmmmmm....

"Here's a gratuitous Moto Guzzi picture (my V11 Sport Scura):"

I love my K but that Guzzi is gorgeous!

Thanks for that. I've put some work into her, even though she was lovely to start with.

We won't be seeing any closeups of my new K75s anytime soon though, she's been "under the weather" but looks nice from a suitable distance.

[Scud]

OK boys, here's my Fly-and-Ride report, which covered about 800 miles:

Tuesday night and Wednesday: Oakland to Milpitas, uneventful. Work in Milpitas, dump some SeaFoam in tank, split lanes basically all the way to Sacramento.

Yesterday: Morning meeting in Sacramento area, ride slab to Modesto for afternoon meeting, ride slab to Tulare, sleep.

Today: Finally some fun roads:

Ride up the Western slope of Sierra Nevadas:



Some nice twisties through the Sequoia National Forest as part of a vertical mile ascent in 35 driving miles. Hesitant, because of shitty tires... tried to find some new tires previous day in Lodi (think Credence Clearwater Revival song...  "Oh Lord, stuck in Lodi again...")



Crest at a bit above 6,000 feet and ride down... congratulate myself for not attempting Sherman Pass today at 9,000 feet.  Brrrrr....



Cross the Mojave desert. I only did a mile or so of sand, just for the hell of it.



Stop to admire the Pacific Ocean.



Tulare to home - about 380 miles.  A proper ride.  Now she has to take a time-out for tires, fluids, filters, etc.  I'm sure I'll be having some questions.

[Tuco]

Hate to see you suffer like that!

[Glacial]

That is an awesome delivery ride!