K100 throttle maintenance

[TNastsyDwnTwn]

I have been working on my k and the throttle twist is messed up. When I pull the twist back the bike does not rev right and kinda dies out.

[Laitch]

According to your post history, on July 22 your bike was running but smoking. Was it revving "right" back then? Have you installed the new handlebar and now have the original throttle cable? If so is the new bar wider or narrower than the old? You need to bring us up-to-date with what you've done since the time you inquired about the fit of the throttle control on the new handlebar.

In my world an engine will either idle and run well, idle and run poorly or just quit. "Kind dies out" doesn't explain anything. Can you explain it differently or provide some video?

[TNastsyDwnTwn]

Yes sir, I will post a video tomorrow. What happens is I pull the twist and it revs up high and when I let go it dies out. The new bars are dirt bike bars so they are smaller.

[Laitch]

Yes sir, I will post a video tomorrow. What happens is I pull the twist and it revs up high and when I let go it dies out. The new bars are dirt bike bars so they are smaller.

Back when you wrote it was smoking, you could rev it up, back off the throttle and it wouldn't die?

[TNastsyDwnTwn]

Right, yes sir

[Laitch]

That makes it clear then. A video may show something that hasn't been explained maybe. Anyway, this is a bike that has sat idle for a while, I guess. You got and said it ran "fine" but then you had that speedometer problem and couldn't get the bike started. That ended with a fuse replacement fixing it. You wrote back then that wires were hanging from it that were not used.

You're at a spot that crowds have been at before you—namely, a bike that's new to you, with no particular maintenance history that you've told us about, and that has unpredictable engine performance.

How "fine" was it running when you got it? How many miles did you ride it when it was running fine? Have you ever pulled the tank cap assembly off and looked into the tank when it's empty to see what is in there? Other than what you've describe in your couple of dozen posts, what other repair or maintenance have you done to the bike?

It's good the engine lights up and runs. You should sleep on this question. How does the throttle cable assembly look different now than it did before when it was able to idle?

[TNastsyDwnTwn]

I have not pulled the cap off the tank and examined it before. I drove it about 40 miles the first day and it all was fine. So far the only remaining problem know is the throttle twist and braje light isn't working. I haven't done any maintinence to it yet. Once I get everything the way I want it I'm going to get my neighbor that has more tools and experience than me and change all the fluids. Also the warning light is on.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Just $0.02 from an old fart who's been down similar paths many times in the past, but I would take the time to go through the bike from one end to the other with a fine tooth comb getting everything like it should.

With no service history and a machine that has been sitting, no one knows what may be out of whack.  It is also an excellent way to learn all about your new ride.

[TNastsyDwnTwn]

OK thanks. I'm familiar with dirt bikes but not BMW's. Do you mind telling me a checklist of things that I should do/replace? Thank you

[The Mighty Gryphon]

No time to find some links for you, but do a search on "New K bike owner" or similar.  There are several very good articles here and on other sites on the internet.  Spend some time learning about your bike from others who have been riding them for the past 30 years.

You also want to get a Clymer manual and some basic tools from Harbor Freight(ball end metric, Allen wrenches, torque wrenches, and a metric socket set if you don't have one already). 

Start at the front of the bike and work your way back getting into all the working parts.  Clean, inspect. lube and reassemble with copper anti-seize.  Make absolutely sure every part is working and adjusted properly.  Sure it's going to take some time, but when you're done you'll have a well running machine.

[TNastsyDwnTwn]

Thank you. I do need to get some more metric wrenches. The man I bought the bike from has a manual I can have, I just have to meet him. Thanks for the advice.

[Laitch]

Do you mind telling me a checklist of things that I should do/replace?

You've posted in the Technical Library. Return to the section heading and click on Technical Library Card Catalog (Index) then scroll down to the General Maintenance heading. Under that you'll find recommendations and tips. As Gryph suggests, you should have a workshop manual like Clymers or download the BMW manual available here. In the Technical Library there are other links to explore that will help you.

[TNastsyDwnTwn]

Will do, thank you.

[TNastsyDwnTwn]

I haven't had a chance to get a video yet. Another problem is the warning light. How do I check the switches on the front and rear brake. I haven't been able to locate them.

[Laitch]

How do I check the switches on the front and rear brake. I haven't been able to locate them.

Have you downloaded the manual from this site yet?

[TNastsyDwnTwn]

I have downloaded the BMW one, I couldn't find the repair manual. Kind if off topic, would tire size 120/80-18 bias ply tube tire 62 H fit in my bike?

[Laitch]

I have downloaded the BMW one, I couldn't find the repair manual. . . .would tire size 120/80-18 bias ply tube tire 62 H fit in my bike?

You downloaded the BMW one what—workshop manual, riders manual, guide to fine dining?

I wouldn't recommend using a tube-type tire on a tubeless style rim and neither does Michelin, but that's just us. There's a notion that people do it all the time so maybe some of those people will chime in here.

[TNastsyDwnTwn]

I downloaded the k75-k100Lt repair manual. OK so get a tubeless tire, and will that size fit in the rim? Do you know the size of the center cap on the wheel. I'm looking to get a decal fir them. I fixed the throttle twist. I put the chain in the wrong position. All good now.

[Laitch]

I downloaded the k75-k100Lt repair manual. OK so get a tubeless tire, and will that size fit in the rim? Do you know the size of the center cap on the wheel. I'm looking to get a decal fir them. I fixed the throttle twist. I put the chain in the wrong position. All good now.

Congratulations on fixing the throttle situation.

With that manual you'll be able to locate the brake switch connector under the tank and clean it. You should be able to locate the switch connected to the lever, too, but clean your connector first. Your switch down at the rear brake cylinder might be corroded or the wire might be kinked. Simplest of all, the bulb may be loose or blown or the socket disconnected.

Like Gryph wrote, you've got to methodically go through the bike familiarizing yourself with the major electrical connections—and everything else—cleaning up as you go.

If by center cap on the wheel you mean the rear wheel, I don't know about Y-spokers.

[TNastsyDwnTwn]

Ok thank you. The sooner I fix the brakes the sooner I can ride this beast. I'll put up a picture tomorrow of the work I have done. I'll also start on the maintenance part of it this weekend.