Lone Amigo in da house!

[Lone Amigo]

I own 2 K bikes, '02 K1200LTC, and '85 K100.

Bought the LuxoTruck new in '02; bought the the Dred Hun K a couple of years ago from Sandia BMW in Albuquerque. The Dred Hun is my ride of choice.
I have been riding bikes since 1954. My first full size bike was a new R26 bought in 1960 when I was still in high school. I have been riding for close to 57 years  now.

I used to be a mod and partner at AdventureSport Rider. Now I am just a member. Am also a member at ADV. And Land of Enchantment BMW Riders Club. I am also a member of several other bike forums-- it all goes back to the Cycle World Forums back in 2002 when I got the Big K LuxuryTruck.

Here's a picture of the Dred Hun on a recent VFW ride here in New Mexico where I live. I look forward to reading every post and enjoying every picture posted here.

[mystic red]

Sweet color!

[Ocelot]

Gotta love that lush New Mexico foliage right there. Throw in a couple bullthorns and that ground would look just like where I  grew up in San Berdoo.

Dred Hun looking mighty clean Amigo.

[WayneDW]

Hello!

[Lawrence]

Welcome from Boise.  I've a long history with BMWs too.  Now, with my recently acquired K100RS, I'm again reminded of the joys of simplicity.  I can wrench easily on the airheads.  My first experience with the K-bike has not been what I'd hoped for.  I can't even figure out how to remove the instrument pod! 
This K-bike stuff is sure gonna be a learning experience for me.

[mystic red]

Welcome from Boise.  I've a long history with BMWs too.  Now, with my recently acquired K100RS, I'm again reminded of the joys of simplicity.  I can wrench easily on the airheads.  My first experience with the K-bike has not been what I'd hoped for.  I can't even figure out how to remove the instrument pod! 
This K-bike stuff is sure gonna be a learning experience for me.

Get a Clymers for that bad boy. They are a great help.

[Lawrence]

Is it better 'n the Haynes?  The Haynes sez, " On all models the headlamp housing or handlebar fairing, the headlamp assembly or the fairing (as appropriate) must be either removed or partially dismantled to gain access to the instrument panel mountings."  Pretty vague.
Looking at the bike, I really can't relate that advice to the problem at hand (removing the instrument pod). It goes on to say, remove the connector plug cover and then unplug both connector blocks. That seems to be a reference to the very bolts I cannot withdraw !
The pod seems to be supported by the two bolts at the bottom, but I'm going to remove the four cap head bolts and see it that is actually the key to resolving this mystery.
Thanks for the tips!

[Ocelot]

Lawrence, I think you are just used to the airheads. I have wrenched on airheads, oilheads and bricks. All of them are worlds and worlds ahead of any rice burner I have ever owned. But I think my little brick has got to be the easiest of them all. The fewest possible, highest quality, easiest access fasteners get you where you need to be. The hardest squeeze is trying to get that air cleaner to slip out. Other'n that, piece of cake.I look forward to lubing the output shaft this coming winter.

Compare your airhead, where y ou have that air/fuel delivery system designed by Rube Goldberg. Between the two petcocks and the Ts for the crossover, you have 14 hose clamps to keep tight and dry, and you haven't gotten to those air elbows that never seem to fit. Just try and keep your pusoh rods tube gaskets from weeping.

No, I think it's just you're used to the airhead. I'm betting the first time you tried to pop off an airhead valve cover you cussed the guy who hid those little nuts back behind the fin where you can't see them and don't expect them. Once you get used to the way the brick is laid out, you'll admire how it's put together.

No matter. The airheads are all long in the tooth, now. And the newest beemers are strictly for guys who have more dollars than sense.

[Lawrence]

I hear you Ocelot, and I can't really say you're wrong in your take on Airheads.  Still, its the devil I know....
I did finally did manage to do some work on my K100RS today.  I changed the oil and filter, and dismantled the instrument pod to clean up the connectors.  I had previously cleaned the signal pickup in the rear drive which made no difference in the op. of the speedo/odo.  I'll know by tomorrow's morning light if the cleaning within the pod made any difference.  Fingers crossed.
I do appreciate the difference between the Airhead and the Brick on the road.  The latter feels firmly planted in crosswinds, and the gear change is certainly more positive. Power? No comparison.  However, my butt protests after about one hour on the Brick.  The R100RS has a wonderful Bill Mayer saddle that gives me all day comfort.  After I service the drive splines I will address the Brick saddle's shortcomings.
Wrenching alone today, I got to thinking about how much more I like buying used bikes than buying new ones. (Even if I had the deep pockets necessary, and I don't)  I'd be intimidated to get too deep in a $20K motorcycle today.  But a modest investment in an older one -- heck, why not?  It's a delightful process of learning and discovery.  You find the darnest things on old bikes.  You have to scratch your head in semi disbelief at what a previous owner has done.  There's interesting history under you hands, and setting stuff right can be mighty satisfying. 

[kenray]

Nice bike and luv New Mexico. My wife and I I never get tired of the Santa Fe and Taos area. I ride a 89 k100rs and a KLR650 both are great bikes in my opinion. Welcome to the site and if you are ever down around the Houston Tx. area come by and say hi. Kenray in Katy.

[TaosBrick]

Hey L A - Nice ride! Where'd ya get the steezy little fairing/windshield? I'm lookin' for something just about like that.

[Lone Amigo]

The fairing in the pic is a Givi. They are hard to find, but it worked well once it was set at the right angle.