I am toying with the idea of removing the tupperware

[beemrdon]

I don't think I'd call this a "project" but I am toying with the idea of removing the tupperware from my K 1100 LT and adding a wind screen.

The bike is really hot in the summer and that's when I want to ride most. Removal of the fairing should alleviate most of the heat issue, hopefully.

I know I will give up some cold weather coverage, but, unfortunately, can't have it both ways. This bike will remain a touring machine.

I will also most likely swap to a "C" type handlebar.

Questions:

What headlight will fit? And what is readily available at a decent price-point?

Any suggestions on decent coverage wind screens?

I will also need turn signals.

Anything else?

[Scud]

Can a K75s fairing fit on K100? I find the K75s to be a very nice mid-size fairing that I can get behind if I want to - or air out a bit if I want to.

Pretty soon I think I'll be able to offer up a complete fairing with all brackets (but no windshield). But I see Beantown in your signature, which I assume means Boston - and I'm far away, so shipping would be costly.

Anyway, I am still curious about whether the K75s fairing could bolt on to a K100.

[beemrdon]

Scud, I would think so but I am no expert.

[TimTyler]

The 1100's are probably a little different then the 75's but have a look here anyway: http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=3186.0

[beemrdon]

Thanks for the link Tim. Good info.

[Scud]

Thanks for the link Tim. Good info.

+1

The bigger radiator on K100 would probably prevent an easy bolt-on of a K75s fairing.

[Chaos]

back in '05 a deer hit destroyed  my K75s fairing.  Bike was ok, rigged up some home made brackets and a Maier sport fairing, using the original headlight. Not as much wind or rain protection but otherwise very good.   In 2012 I found some "S" bodywork with a horrid paint job, hence the cameo paint the bike now sports.  Revzilla still has them for $128, looks like a duplicate of an early GPZ550.

[beemrdon]

I think BMW made or sells a windscreen that was optional for a naked K100 back in the day but I'll have to research it. I would probably go in that direction as I will want to take it off from time to time. A fairing is not easy to take on and off.
I took the frame mounted Luftmeister fairing off of my R90/6, 7 or 8 years ago and bought a windscreen. I occasionally ride w/o the screen...and it is fun.

[beemrdon]

Chaos, That little fairing looks pretty good.

[beemrdon]

Anyone know where I can get a high quality round H4 headlight (complete) ? Or would a BMW breaker be a better choice ?

[Martin]

Don there used to be a guy in the BMWMCQ who fitted a K75s fairing to his K100, this was over 10 years ago. I will try and track it down and post what I find. I did talk to him about the conversion and I seem to remember that it fitted  with slight easy modifications as long as you had all the mounting hardware. The only omission was the K75s belly pan. It looked like a OEM K100s.
Regards Martin.

[Martin]

Don tried looking at old pictures around that date but could not see any of that bike. You might have success if you email the club ( BMWMCQ ). The bike was either silver or light blue metallic from memory. Somebody should know his name and contact details. I remember talking to him about how he got his engine so clean and shiny, He used Sunlight soap and stainless wire wool.
Regards Martin.

[Laitch]

Here are some photos of my bike before I stripped it naked.  The top of the screen was six inches below my line of sight and it provided good rain and cold weather protection. It has a simple four-point attachment—two top struts clamp to the bar, two lower mounts clamp to the tubes. I think many aftermarket screens are mounted like that. It didn't vibrate or have any other bad habits. It's stored on a rack in one of our sheds. I discovered I just liked to ride in the breeze even if it means wringing out my leathers after a rainstorm, or peeling a turkey vulture off them occasionally. I traded the Corbin Dual Canyon in that photo for a stock seat so I could change up riding position when I felt like it. I took off that handlebar, too and replaced it with a C-bar. I'm now replacing that C-bar with a lower and wider sidecar bar.

[Laitch]

I think BMW made or sells a windscreen that was optional for a naked K100 back in the day but I'll have to research it.

MaxBMW still lists them and all attachment hardware in their parts fiche, Don.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Have you considered just removing the lowers and swapping for a lower RT screen without the wings?  I've heard of riders doing that to reduce the heat behind the fairing.   That route would cost a lot less and be easily reversible when the weather gets cooler.  With a couple old knee panels to cut down you could still use the glove boxes and it would give a bit more finished look. 

I don't know how you would do it on an 1100, but I installed a fuel cooler in front of the engine on my K75RT and by not pumping boiling gasoline back to the tank I have found that riding is a lot cooler in the summer.

[Chaos]

that windshield on Laitch's bike is a Plexistar 2, still available, I have one on my Ural and it give great cold weather protection.  Comes on or off in a couple minutes once you get it mounted.

[johnny]

motocycles are supposed to be really hot in the summer... period...

[beemrdon]

Thanks folks,

A lot to think about. I thought that wind screen on Laitch's bike looked familiar. I have that on my R90/6. It works good and comes off quickly. It's fun to ride it bare when the weather is agreeable but I'm happy to have a screen in the rain, esp when riding with an open face helmet.

Has anyone seen an S fairing on a K? I think that might look (and work) pretty K-ool.

I remember seeing the old K 100 bikes w/o any fairing years ago and pictured my bike like that but I would need to find a new place for the fuel and temp gauges to reside.

....maybe this IS a project after all.

I'm going to try some of the insulating tricks posted online here and elsewhere for this summer and then make a decision in the fall based on how well they work or don't.

[Laitch]

If anybody wants that screen they can ride up to our place and I'll give it to them gratis. PM me. Don't bother washing your car until you get back home.

[beemrdon]

Hi Johnny,
I don't think they have to be. For example, My R90/6 w/o a fairing throws no heat on me at all but I know of others with the same motor with an RT/RS fairing that complain about being blasted from the heat being generated by the motor. I guess that's where multiple bikes being set up differently is optimal. I am not saying that I will de-fair my K1100 though. It is a beautiful bike, to me anyway.
But I am thinking about it. The heat last summer was brutal, esp on the left lower leg.
Another solution would be to purchase a naked K to ride during the height of the summer heat but that is a last resort.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Oh, c'mon now.  It's a better than excellent excuse to get another brick.  Why not buy an S fairing with a K75 attached to it?  Seems to be a few popping up like daffodils this spring.   Been seeing some nice ones on C-List. 

[beemrdon]

You're right about it being an excellent excuse though. The problem is where do I put them....?

[The Mighty Gryphon]

They really don't take up that much room.  I have three in the space of one car in my garage.

Are you married?  You can always park the wife's car outside.   :eek: 

[beemrdon]

Not married (anymore) and may soon be moving so new MC purchases are OUT for now.

[F14CRAZY]

You know I've seen Gold Wings with vents in the windshield. Could one of those provide some cooling in the cockpit?