Hello from Costa Rica

[Filmcamera]

Well this is my first BMW of any type but 20 minutes on the bike and my left leg is medium rare, so no fan certainly can't be a good thing. At this time of year the average temperature during the day is 86 F with humidity in the 80's - 90's. So fixing the fan is a priority closely followed by a working temperature gauge so I know what is 'normal'

[Elipten]

K bikes are not called "toasters" for nothing!

[Laitch]

Well this is my first BMW of any type but 20 minutes on the bike and my left leg is medium rare, so no fan certainly can't be a good thing. So fixing the fan is a priority closely followed by a working temperature gauge so I know what is 'normal'

The fan will cool the engine but it won't cool you. The engine will still be plenty hot and you'll be feeling some of it, as Elipten has pointed out. On a hot day the temperature light should start flickering within fifteen minutes at idle or in slow traffic if the fan isn't triggered by the sensor. In a functioning system, when overheating is approaching, the fan starts running, the light isn't switched on, the temperature is regulated then the fan shuts off. The light should only be lit when the temp could get dire or there's an electrical malfunction. Information about the testing of many systems is in the Technical Library index.

Eventually—although that bike is sweet-looking—you may want to do this. First, though, you've got to get all the systems functioning correctly then put some time on it like it's dressed out now.

[Elipten]

The K bike radiator fan is a poor design for this application.  It is a heating fan out of a Porsche I recall reading somewhere over the years and hence is not sealed against water, dirt and etc.  I would check that it spins first and if it does get in there, clean it and give it a shot of some lube like LPS1 or LPS 2.  WD40 is not a lubricant.   

Consider replacement long term with a Spal fan which you can find posts on if you search I am sure.

[jllphan]

I recently discovered my cooling fan was not working and w/ the help of the link below, was able to figure out that my temperature probe and warning light were working correctly but the fan motor was not.  Ordered a new fan motor from beemerboneyard and all good.  Hope this helps.

http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech/fan-diagnosis.shtml

[kris]

One more little ditty to keep in mind. Your fuel pump, as you probably know, sits within the fuel tank. Keeping the tank topped up helps keep the pump cool and, apparently, will help extend the life of the fuel pump. Makes sense to me. Bear this in mind with the car you might be driving as well. And it's always a better plan to have a full tank for other reasons...