Hello from Michigan

[MIbrick]

Hello, Motobrick community!


I'm not currently a flying brick owner, but hope to be soon.  I've been smitten by a K100, though I've only seen it in pictures.  Going to check it out this weekend.  Only real concern I have is seat height...my 29" inseam (crotch to ground in my boots) is a challenge on any bike. Hopefully it's manageable.  If anyone has suggestions on things to check, I'm all ears.

[Laitch]

I'm not currently a flying brick owner, but hope to be soon. If anyone has suggestions on things to check, I'm all ears.

Hello, MIbrick!

I suggest you read this link then visit the Master Index in the Repair Guidance section. You'll learn about how this bike works. You should try to find a low seat model because these bikes can tip over if you're not paying attention. There are plenty of tips about adapting to the standard seat here.

Get to know the appearance of the two.

Low seat profile.jpg (16.31 kB . 259x194 - viewed 395 times)


Standard seat profile.jpg (21.11 kB . 275x183 - viewed 408 times)

[MIbrick]

Thanks for the welcome and the link, Laitch.  I had actually read that thread a week or so ago, but I re-read it just now anyway. The one I'm interested in is not a low-seat model. I contacted one of the Motorrad dealers here in MI and they informed me they could get the low seat from Germany, but none of the hardware. They pointed me at Bob's BMW, who told me they could source the (slide-in) low seat and although the installation hardware isn't available as a kit, could assemble all the pieces.  I need to call them back, though and close the loop on that. 


I was thinking worst case I could find someone to shave the seat down. Contact one local 'hot rod' upholsterer of good repute but he gave me the distinct impression he isn't interested in monkeying around with a motorbike seat. The other one I contacted hasn't bothered to return calls or emails. :\  I'm not sure how much height can be shaved out of a standard seat anyway, but figured it's worth a shot.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Welcome! 

I've been seeing a fair number of bricks with low seats this Spring.  They are out there if you seek them out. 

I imagine there are owners of bikes with low seats who might be interested in doing a swap, the trick is finding one of them who wants to swap with you.  You might try contacting some Craig's list sellers in driving distance of where you are offering your seat in exchange for their low seat if a buyer doesn't want the low seat.  You might get the seat you need and a seller may be able to sell a bike that otherwise might not be sold.

I would be cautious about shaving the seat cushion.  Part of the desirability of the bricks is their ergonomics, and the seat is a major part of that.  I would be afraid that removing an inch of foam would make the seat unusable for more than very short rides.

There are members here who have done things to make their bricks lower, and I'm sure that they will chime in on this thread.

Do you have any photos of the bike you are looking at?

[Martin]

Welcome to the asylum have a look at this link http://cycle-ergo.com/  On this site you can select the bike then enter your height and inside leg measurements. Then select options select put feet on ground you can do this with heaps of bikes. As far as the height problem this can be overcome in a number of ways first drop the forks through the trees up to 1/2". Next get a pair of boots with the thickest soles you can find you can gain at least an inch+. I have two pair a motorcycle pair, and pair of breathable Gortex hiking  boots.  Then go onto Ebay and buy some adjustable shoe lifts ( adjustable by adding and removing wedges) gain another inch plus. Buy the boots before the lifts and try the lifts in the boots at point of purchase not all boots can accommodate lifts.  There is also a shorter rear shock available but it comes with a couple of disadvantages cornering clearance is slightly compromised, and it can be harder to get it onto the centre stand. And lastly have your seat lowered. By doing all of these modifications you can gain four inch plus.  I had my seat lowered and softened by a local seat guy and it did work for quite a number of years until I lost a heap of weight mainly of my bum, I am now about to redo my seat courtesy of Johnny.
Regards Martin.

[MIbrick]

So there I was, with plans to first look at the K100, 2.5 hours away from me. Then from there drive another 1.5 hours to look at a CB1100F.  I loaded up my motorcycle hunting team for the day--Sons Numbers 1 through 3--and we set off at the crack of dawn.  Naturally, our first stop was Tim Horton's so I could get my caffeine fix and they could get their carb load over for the day.  From there it was uneventful highway driving in the rain, all the way to our first stop. 

Mostly uneventful. The GPS told me to bear left at the split, but I'm so used to going right that I ignored it. Turns out my way took the same amount of time to arrive. Go figure.  The Boys, though, are not ones to let an opportunity pass and proceeded to harangue me about it for the better part of, I don't know, five miles. Their bad behavior didn't deter me, though, and we met up with the K100 owner/seller at the appointed time.





After checking the K100 out and throwing a leg over it (multiple times), we arrived at a price and I left a cash deposit.  Seller seems like a stand up guy, and he's only the second owner. A small ding in the tank (which I likely won't worry about), a couple nicks in the paint on the left side (which I likely won't worry about) are it for issues as far as I can tell.


Wish I could post a picture of what is surely an equally pristine 'survivor' CB1100F, but I never made it that far.  Now to work out details to get this movable work of art home.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

 :2thumbup:

[The Mighty Gryphon]

greetings...

that thing needs tragkorbs in the worst way...

j o

Reminds me of a Rodney Dangerfield line:

"I told my wife I wanted to have sex with her in the worst way.   She said "So what else is new?""

[MIbrick]

greetings...

that thing needs tragkorbs in the worst way...

j o

I'm only 32% fluent in German according to Duolingo.  What is a tragkorb?  From context I'm going with tragkorbs, but I'm not ruling out this being some sort of new member hazing ritual (similar to "Hey, will you grab me that henway?").


Seller says it never had the luggage on it. He bought it from the original owner who apparently didn't want them.  I kind of like the looks without, but having the bags might add some functionality.

[Chaos]

Johnny deleted his post????   It looks great without the tragkorbs but they're handy to carry beer in.  And a 22litre tragkorb for the iconicism.

[kris]

MIbrick, that is a sweet looking ride....very slick, very Euro (in black). I'm jealous. What's the mileage? Two owners? Not bad. If you have a great owner he is likely giving you the straight goods on the machine. As you will have gleaned from these pages of wisdom these machines are pretty damn solid. Enjoy! Where are you in Michigan?

[Chaos]

mmmm, little kings