Author Topic: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads  (Read 14561 times)

Offline Justjub

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 13
First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« on: August 31, 2016, 11:45:34 PM »
Hello guys!

I'm a proud new owner of a K75s 1993 at 57 000 km with an authentic blue BMW. I live in Sherbrooke in Canada. It is my first motorcycle. I really liked the idea of having a legendary BMW and the K75 is known for a motorcycle with one of the best value for money. A competent, relaxed, capable sport tourer for the "practical gentleman rider" (original quote) This bike is a perfect match to me and is true to is reputation.

The machine was at an incredible price and in a very good condition. I changed the brakes fluid which was very thick and leaked from the rear master cylinder due to crystallized particles. I plan to make a complete oil change during the winter... because currently I'm too busy riding and enjoying it. The speedometer was working intermittently. I simply shook the wire mid length connector from the pulse sensor in the driving shaft and it corrected the bad electrical contact: easy fix! The headlight was also shacking because one of the two adjusting pin was lost. I patched it with a fixed piece of plastic. Finaly the low fuel indicator stay always on but I don't mind it. No major problems. Engine is great. I'm happy!

What I appreciate the most is the naturally balanced engine. There is a lot of torque on a large RPM range with an enjoyable boost in high revolution. My only downside actually is with the gear shifting as to often I fall in a false neutral. I can't wait getting better riding it! All links for advanced riding tips would be welcome!

Before buying it my plan was to customize it, but the more I ride it the more I enjoy it as it is! I don't know yet if I will keep it authentic or if I will look for a round or asymmetrical headlight and an adventure style fearing. Similar to TimTyler's bike! It's hard to find K-bike modified with the adventure style so if any of you have some links to share me for inspiration I would appreciate.

Thank you all for the support you already gave me via this community. Ride safe!


___
Ju
Ju
K75S '93 in Canada

Offline Justjub

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 13
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2016, 12:54:01 AM »
.
Ju
K75S '93 in Canada

Offline Laitch

  • Faster than a speeding pullet
  • Administrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 11648
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2016, 12:55:53 AM »
Welcome, Justjub! Nice looking bike.

I'm neither practical nor a gentleman but I ride a K75 anyway. If you are looking for riding tips, here is some interesting reading.

You must be assertive when shifting gears on a K-bike but difficult shifting might be a sign that input spline lubrication should be put on this winter's schedule. If you don't have a clear maintenance record for the bike, make a maintenance plan. Visit the Technical Library index in this site—if you haven't already—for more information.
  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 102,000 miles

Offline The Dude

  • ^ SuperNatural Motobricker
  • Posts: 509
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #3 on: September 01, 2016, 01:12:08 AM »
Yes,welcome Justjub.
"Nice looking bike".
Keep it that way.You won't regret,it twenty years from now..It's timeless.
  • Auckland, New Zealand
  • K75s
Current.
TR6R 1973 from new.
Moto guzzi 850 III .1983 from,almost, new.
K75S 1986 from new.vin-0103141
On my second millionth km.give or take a hundred k Kay's.
"The Dude abides. I don't know about you but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there."
All the best!

Offline Laitch

  • Faster than a speeding pullet
  • Administrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 11648
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #4 on: September 01, 2016, 02:27:56 AM »
It's hard to find K-bike modified with the adventure style so if any of you have some links to share me for inspiration I would appreciate.
Get out your pliers and stapler, Justjub. Here's one to copy while you're resting this winter. :giggles
  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 102,000 miles

Offline Laitch

  • Faster than a speeding pullet
  • Administrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 11648
  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 102,000 miles

Offline Martin

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 4475
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #6 on: September 01, 2016, 03:53:43 AM »
Welcome to the asylum from OZ.
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline stokester

  • ^ SuperNatural Motobricker
  • Posts: 850
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #7 on: September 01, 2016, 06:39:50 AM »

You must be assertive when shifting gears on a K-bike but difficult shifting might be a sign that input spline lubrication should be put on this winter's schedule. If you don't have a clear maintenance record for the bike, make a maintenance plan. Visit the Technical Library index in this site—if you haven't already—for more information.

Welcome to the club!

Agree with the input spline lubrication.  While I do it regularly on my older Airhead BMWs I did not realize it was also necessary on my K75S.  I was getting false neutrals so decided to do that chore and it took care of the issue. 
  • Yorktown Virginia
  • '94 K75S Dakar Yellow - '93 K75S Seiden Blau - '91 R100RT Bermuda Blue- '78 R100S Smoke Red

Offline Brad-Man

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 360
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #8 on: September 01, 2016, 07:34:19 AM »
Welcome to the Klub!
  • Marietta, GA
  • '85 K100
Toys don't make the Man - Man makes the Toys...
'74 RD350
'75 RD350 w/Modified 400 engine, Chambers & MZB iggy

Offline Chaos

  • Administrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 3159
  • Mars needs women!
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #9 on: September 01, 2016, 09:27:22 AM »
With everyone cutting up K's for that "cafe" or GS look the original survivors will appreciate.  It's a great bike the way it is. 
  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline jaxon

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 158
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #10 on: September 01, 2016, 09:34:03 AM »
With everyone cutting up K's for that "cafe" or GS look the original survivors will appreciate.  It's a great bike the way it is.

I'd have to agree. I can appreciate many of them but I'm more inclined to appreciate mine the way it came. I'm a big fan of side and top cases and a more upright riding position.

  • Indiana
  • '92 K75S, '17 R1200GS LC
--
This space for rent

Offline Laitch

  • Faster than a speeding pullet
  • Administrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 11648
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #11 on: September 01, 2016, 10:12:58 AM »
My only downside actually is with the gear shifting as to often I fall in a false neutral. I can't wait getting better riding it!
You must be assertive when shifting gears on a K-bike but difficult shifting might be a sign that input spline lubrication should be put on this winter's schedule.

One last observation here, Ju. You should be certain that your clutch is correctly adjusted. The workshop manuals available on this site explain that procedure. Consider interrupting your fun to accomplish this important task that should take much less than time than replacing a ruined, maladjusted clutch. :giggles

To help lessen your trouble shifting until you determine whether the cause is your technique or your bike's need for adjustment/lubrication, review this article with its accompanying videos, but remember, if your bike's maintenance is up to date, your clutch components correctly adjusted and your shift technique is firm, you should be able to shift in either direction without throttle blipping if the bike is rolling and not under severe demand. The only severe demand I place on my bike is requiring it to enjoy a steady diet of 89 octane (AKI) gasohol and not complain about it, which it does willingly.
  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 102,000 miles

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

  • Administrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 6857
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #12 on: September 01, 2016, 07:48:11 PM »
Welcome, the K75S IMO is the nicest of the K bikes.  It's relatively light weight and narrow bars make it handle pretty nice as you've already noticed. 

As far as the shifting, lube the clutch splines and add a couple heaping tablespoons of 1 micron molybdenum disulfide powder to the transmission.  A couple hundred miles of riding and the transmission will be shifting like it came from Honda. 
  • In my garage in Marilla, NY
  • '91K100RS White/Blue
Current:
'91 K100RS16V "Moby Brick Too"

Past:
'94 K75RT "Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS"
'92 K100RS16V "Moby Brick" (RIP, deceased in a vehicular assault)
'94 K75S Special Edition Dakar Yellow "Cheetos"
'89 K100RS Special Edition "Special Ed"

Offline TrueAce

  • ^ SuperNatural Motobricker
  • Posts: 973
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #13 on: September 01, 2016, 07:57:41 PM »
Welcome, you're gonna really enjoy that K75! You made a wise choice.
  • Florida
  • '85 K100GS, '85 K100RSSC,', '94 K1100RS,'10 S1000rr,'14 Ural Sidecar, '15 R Nine T

Offline K1300S

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 1295
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #14 on: September 01, 2016, 08:12:39 PM »
Yes,welcome Justjub.
"Nice looking bike".
Keep it that way.You won't regret,it twenty years from now..It's timeless.
+1

don't hack it up.  to nice the way it is.

resist the urge to follow the hacking fad.
Project Thread "K75s Midlife Refresh"
http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,7810.0.html

Offline Justjub

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 13
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #15 on: September 01, 2016, 10:46:19 PM »
Thanks everyones!! Your inputs are appreciated.

With everyone cutting up K's for that "cafe" or GS look the original survivors will appreciate.  It's a great bike the way it is.
No plan for cutting it off. While I still realy enjoy all the creativity and passion involved in thoses projects, I'm not inclined to commit the bike for permanent changes.

Welcome, the K75S IMO is the nicest of the K bikes.  It's relatively light weight and narrow bars make it handle pretty nice as you've already noticed. 
The narrow bars is trickier at very low speed, but I agree it is a charm to ride. The 'S overall position is perfect. I wonder how the high seat change this position. In my opinion it look way beter with the battery cover and without the thigh padding but I seem to read everywhere that the low seat is a beter choice for its functionality.

As far as the shifting, lube the clutch splines and add a couple heaping tablespoons of 1 micron molybdenum disulfide powder to the transmission.  A couple hundred miles of riding and the transmission will be shifting like it came from Honda.
I will definitively look for applying this receip during the winter.

I'm neither practical nor a gentleman but I ride a K75 anyway.
:riding: Thank you Laitch for your inputs. You too have a nice looking bike.

As for the gear shifting I will study what you highlighted. It may be due to a mix of technique, standard BMW rough transmission design and the bike having be stored for a long time.
Ju
K75S '93 in Canada

Offline duckytran

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 211
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #16 on: September 13, 2016, 04:43:22 PM »
Ju,

Unit Garage out of Italy sells some kits and parts for K-Bikes without you having to chop it up. That's if you can endure their price. At the least, you can look at what they did for ideas and inspiration.

http://www.unitgarage.com/bmw/k75/k75_marrakesh
  • Austin, Texas
  • 1993 K75, 1981 R65

Offline jaxon

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 158
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #17 on: September 13, 2016, 05:00:24 PM »
With everyone cutting up K's for that "cafe" or GS look the original survivors will appreciate.  It's a great bike the way it is.

I agree. Not that some aren't cool, but I prefer them stock.
  • Indiana
  • '92 K75S, '17 R1200GS LC
--
This space for rent

Offline F14CRAZY

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 1091
Re: First K = nices rides on farmer's roads
« Reply #18 on: September 13, 2016, 05:31:32 PM »
With everyone cutting up K's for that "cafe" or GS look the original survivors will appreciate.  It's a great bike the way it is.

I don't really mind the cafe thing. But chopping the rear off the frame and clip ons don't make a K a "cafe racer." Or chopping off the rear of the frame and adding knobby tires and making a "scrambler" isn't very tasteful either.

But you mentioned a GS look...now THIS...is something I wouldn't mind at all

  • Grand Rapids, MI
  • '87 K75C
'87 K75C w/ Pichler V1 fairing. LED's, CATZ driving lights, Audiovox cruise, LT top case, tons of other mods by Drake...


Tags: