1984 BMW K100RT? Thinking about it...

Yes it popped up kinda in my area and it is FI, so I think I am biting. It will be stripped down a bit as I have my 07 Bandit 1250 for nice long rides, so the K100 would be for town trips and such. Can you tell I am trying to talk myself into it.

Bad note is that I might have to get another bonded title! I see so many "lost title", "looking for title", or other title issues drives a person to wrench

Anyone here ever had a K100RT? If so any words for wisdom for me?

Tim

 

something like this

 

Yes something much like that but not in such good shape or shiny I have been doing a little reading and see the rear spindle is a weak point that should be addressed before buying one? I guess rebuilding the spindle is around $1K if it is in bad shape. I would hate to put that much into just one area of the bike. I know my 1200 Madura had issues with the spindle too, but that spindle is a beast and had no issues. I have worked on so many carb bikes I just feel it is time for a old FI bike.

So how to you like your K100RT? Looks like it might have a little leak, is that a common thing? I would have it stripped down as the PO does not have the parts. Here is the add and some pics, trying to get a hold of seller but no reply so far.
https://duluth.craigslist.org/mcy/d/bmw-k100rt-project-bike/6477397214.html

 

yes driveshafts are a weak point caused by lack of maintenance, keep them greased and they last forever. it's not hard to do but you know how maintenance goes.
1000$ sounds like new parts.
the leak isn't really a leak, the piston rings are free to spin in their grooves, sometimes they align on the lower part of the horizontal cyl and oil will seep through the end gap.
and find it's way to the exhaust valve and drip from the header/head joint. that pad you see is probably two years old.
the FI system is called a open loop, no O sensor. the throttle hiccup is most likely the grip itself, it's a 90 deg. gear thing that seems odd. the clutch is dry like a car and the cable lifts the side stand when pulled, has to be adjusted just right.
under the engine you'll see a bell housing, a weep hole is cast in it, if oil is present the rear main seal is going. lots of bolts, easy job.
wheels are soft, don't hit a big square edge pothole. xj's use a lot of 6mm bolts that uses 8 and 10mm, it's built like a tank. rides like a cloud, the engine seems like a electric motor, no bogs no peaks just smooth power. the shifter is like a precision instrument. top end is determined by how tight you can hold on.
fuel pump is inside the tank, not fun.
speedo is intermittent on most of them, no real fix. i use a bicycle speedo

 

Polock,
Thanks for all the info. I have to say I thought sense it was already missing many parts to keep it naked. I see the 78K miles is really no big deal, but the other issues are. It is 3.5 hrs one way from me and the seller still has not contacted me. I would guess it will not come home to my cycle shed, but I can still dream.

I was also reading the older K100's had 16v heads in them, that would be nice.

This just in...look at this add and give me some feedback pls.
https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/mcy/d/1987-bmw-k100/6495378281.html

 

Might be worth a shot in my opinion

 

go for that one, i think it's a RS. the windshield is off or something, that's a common mod. they say it gets real hot in the summer, i just use a deflector held on with Velcro.
muffler isn't stock, the pipes are SS, those are the RS bars, lower than RT. i think they swap with the same cables. if it sat that long with gas in it the fuel pump might need looking at. there's a mod to put a 80's mustang pump in it, cheap fix.

 

Made the call tonight, on the road in the morning. If all works out and I hope it does, will have a new bike in the stable. Looks like I will get the 87 K100RS with everything for a good price, just hope it is as good as current owner says. Never got to see the right side of the bike as it was not in the add. Update with pics I hope in a day or so.

 

Well it did not happen, always get pics of all sides of the bike before you leave your driveway. Once of those too good to be true, but had to try. There will be others.

 

Seller came through with the pics and then met me at a great price. 165 miles one way with high wind but I have her in the shed. Battery being charged and then I will go through it if it gets warmer. I was able to get another batter in her and plug the ECU/CDI in. All things seem to work and I even touched the starter, she turned over....
20180218_155220[1] by Tim Brown, on Flickr
20180218_155240[1] by Tim Brown, on Flickr

 

very nice
i hope you have the mirrors, their like gold

 

That looks like a very nice and fast bike!

 

Yes I pulled the side covers and anything else that would blow off the bike on the 165 mile trip. The wind was nasty here yesterday, really strong gusts. One mirror is in tact the other I think is missing the glass

When I get a chance testing the fuel pump, pulling and cleaning the FI's and checking the air cleaner. I drained the fuel when I got her home, Varnish smelling but not too bad. I would guess the FI's will really need to be cleaned, have done it a few times so hope it works. Nice to have it on the side of the engine compared to having to yank the TB's off the bike and work from there. Just hope she has spark and fires.

I have to work on the seat as well, the hinge on the front I think should go to the frame, well it is broken and not working, so that will take some looking into.

 

the glass shouldn't be too bad, putting the mirrors back on gave me fits, the springy things didn't cooperate. grease and a big smack finally worked.
do you have a book? your going to need one if you get into it very far, i can scan you some pages to get you started.
put oil and gas in it, i bet it starts
side stand goes up with the clutch lever? that amazes people

 

Say whaaaaaaaaaat?

 

Got to the fuel rail today, well took some time and a lot of PB blaster. I also pulled the very large fuel cap off to take a look inside. No rust but OMG varnish like I have never seen before. I will have to get a couple gallons of white vinegar and get it cleaned out. I would guess the fuel pump and the fuel system will be the big issue, all else should be like most other bikes.

No I do not plan on getting "too" into it unless I have to. I would like to get it running for some spring riding and see how I feel about it. I am hoping this will be a great bike and really good MPG, I am thinking close to 60.

Look at this nice tank:
20180219_162726[1] by Tim Brown, on Flickr
20180219_162740[1] by Tim Brown, on Flickr
20180219_162750[1] by Tim Brown, on Flickr
20180219_162805[1] by Tim Brown, on Flickr

 

Did a little bit of work on the fuel system today. Got the tank off and started to clean it up. Rags to soak up the nasty gas, compressed air to get things dried out and moved around. Then the wet dry vac to try to get that gunk out. The tank is in good shape but the fuel pump and the sensor inside is, well toast.
20180220_151451[1] by Tim Brown, on Flickr
This is the hole the pump fits into...with a gasket and a screen...all toast.
20180220_154416[1] by Tim Brown, on Flickr
I have the injectors in the sonic cleaner, will keep heating up the mixture and hitting it for rounds of 5 mins at a time. I have a feeling that they are toast too, but you never know.
Gas tank is in the basement with 3 gals of white vinegar in it. hope to get some good results in a few days. I have heard up to two weeks and sense there is lots of ice and snow here in WI that is just fine.

 

this might come in handy
http://hrsbstaff.ednet.ns.ca/bvogel/K100/download/Fuel pump replacement K100.pdf
the original
http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech/fuel-pump-install.shtml

 

Polock,

Yes it did and hope to save some money that way. After the ten yrs of sitting around that tank and the injectors are a mess. I had the injectors in the heated sonic cleaner for a long time. Kept hitting them with 9v about every 15 mins of running. Finally they all came free and now I get to try to run some cleaner threw them. The vinegar in the tank is doing well, no real rust to speak of besides the "low fuel arm" is not in good shape. It did come free on it's own when I was rocking the tank. Looks like the vinegar is doing it's job but I might have to hit it with some acetone to really clean the inside. Unlike a lot of the other metric bikes, these gas tanks don't have the deep lip under the gas cap on the inside of the tank. They are flat, that really helps when you tip it over and try to get liquid and all the junk out of the top. On the flip side of that, with no bottom hole that can be a pain when it come to all the little left over fuel, liquid and bits. I do like how you can just put your hand right down inside there with the fuel cap taken off.

Parts are on order now waiting for them in the mail as my small town stores don't have much. That 5/16 submersible fuel line is not cheap! Had to get two feet of it as I think I will have to use it on the FEP to shim it into the vibration holder.

Not too sure if I have to get new "O" rings for the FI's, the rings look really good. I hit them with BP blaster before moving them at all. Removing them I keep looking to see if there were any cracks in them and I didn't see any. I even had my glasses on so here is hoping. If there is a gas leak, they are easy to get at and much easier pulling out and off then carbs and those carb to air filter boots! Not hacking too much just saying it is nicer to have them right there on the side of the engine.

 

Was able to get a few hrs in on the old BRICK. Changed out the brake fluid front and brake, hypo oil in the final drive, made sure that the injectors were all cleaned out. I was able to hook a can of B12 to a rubber hose then to the injector. They were firing and the junk that came out of each was nasty, but they did clean up nice.

Also put all the plugs in the boots and was able to turn her over and make sure there was spark on all four. We have spark so not just waiting on all the fuel related items to come in. The old fuel pump will be going into the sonic cleaner tonight just in case I can get it going again. Those BMW pumps are costly.

 

Pssst... that's a aluminum tank
the big rubber gasket for the gas cap, keep it stretched or in some gas or it will shrink.
i got all my bits from http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/index.html they put a bag of peanut M&M's in each order, i'm easily impressed

 

I thought as much, as it was so clean on the piping inside the tank As for that low fuel device, that is even looking better. I will have to test it and see if is working. That and test the power leads to the pump to make sure it works.

Thanks for the heads up on the gas cap gasket. When I took it off I had to clean under it, lots of gunk. I am sure I will put some type of gas resistant soft seal on it when I put it back together. Not much but some.

Weather here sucks again, lots of ice from the rain last night and now snow on top of that. This is not riding weather

 

Drained the gas tank today to see how it came out, not too bad. I need to hit it with some acetone to get the rest out along with some compressed air. The BMW fuel pump did not make it, been bumping it with 12V - + and then + - and it will not spin. Those cost so much but I do have a Mustang pump coming in the mail, said to do the same thing just needs a little fitting.

Should be a really nice week here in WI, so hope to be able to get more things looked at and safety checked on the bike. Really looking forward to cleaning the rest of the fuel system and then flushing the radiator.

 

Coming along, man this stainless steal tank is wonderful but getting a fuel pump in there will be something.
Here is the tank:
Clean Tank by Tim Brown, on Flickr
So I thought I would bypass the gas tank and see if I could get the fuel pump to work sense the injectors were cleaned and back on the bike.
Pump in jug to run bike by Tim Brown, on Flickr
Fuel pump in a gal jug and bypassed the tank by bringing the return hose back to the jug.

Just used the "+" off the four wire and then grounded the other side to the bike.
Bypass the gas tank by Tim Brown, on Flickr

 

So...did it start???

 

Yes it did start and I ran it for a while to check for any leaks. Once the smoke cleared it sounded so nice, steady idle and nice smooth running engine. No noticeable noise that should not be there. So once the new fuel pump comes in and I fit it to the "aluminum" tank I will take it out for a test ride. That is if the ICE road by my house melts in the next few days.

Ya...i need to keep remembering that...aluminum...stainless steal....I will get it one of these days. Thanks for keeping me straight on that..

 

I don't know if it's steel or aluminum. I was just trying to start a fight!

"In this corner, the scrappy, opinionated Polock. In the other corner, wearing red white and blue trunks, Timbox! Wait, in an unexpected turn, both contestants have joined together and are attacking Matti!"

 

Nice bike. My neighbor has 3 BMW's. Nice bikes. He and his wife ride them a lot, just as I do my XJ.

He also works on them in the driveway as much or more often than I do my vintage XJ. I asked him why his mirror was glued together.... his parts cost are outrageous. Just sayin....

Enjoy.

 

OMG that guy's arse is on backwards!

 

Yes the parts are crazy $$$ so here is hoping that I can keep it running for just the $190 or so for battery and fuel pump. Everything else I have leftovers in my shop so here is hoping. First BMW and for sure first really old sitting injected bike.

As for him working on the bikes, I am not sure why? Most of the engines run for 150K miles and besides burning a little oil (normal) they are rocks. They do have dry clutches so if the owner does not keep the lever with some play in it, then they are asking for issues. Trans has it's own hypo oil because the clutch is dry, so maybe more checking of fluids.

As for mine, got a few things done today, put in a nice big battery.
New Battery by Tim Brown, on Flickr
Then I tried to work on the seat. The hinges are all broken on the right side of the seat, not the bike. It is very strange on how it rises and then has a hinge stop to hold it up. Need to get some "C" clips and then figure out what to do with the seat. I think I am going to end up welding this part.
Seat 3 by Tim Brown, on Flickr
This is what looks like without the broken bit on the seat.
Seat 4 by Tim Brown, on Flickr
To the frame as the stock way has broken the end off. The stock way slides into the plastic right hand rear hand grab. Not too sure how that is going to take the weight anyway.
Here is the locking hinge, it too is wither bent but need to "C" clips to even mount.
Seat 1 by Tim Brown, on Flickr

 

that box under the seat holds four square cuts of pizza and kind of keeps them warm

 

Took your advice and drilled out some holes in those pegs, much better. I need another set of hand to hold and or mount that seat. Already scratch the paint, but what the heck, that was bound to happen. Taking it over to one of the marsh shops to see if my buddy can see something I can't see.

 

Well the sending unit in the fuel tank broke! I guess you could say it was okay but the power wire (yellow) wire broke in the plastic, so had to fine another. They are not cheap but what the heck it is a project FI bike and I will get it up and running (with the tank on).
20180308_112225[1] by Tim Brown, on Flickr

Here is a better pic of the bad wire.
20180308_112213[1] by Tim Brown, on Flickr

Put the fuel pump in place today with some fuel safe foam. I just thought it would be best to do that and then make sure it will work and not kink any of the fuel line. This fuel and pump issue better not be a preamble as to the rest of the maint on the bike! Still waiting on the rest of the snow to melt and then a good hard rain to clean some of roads here in WI anyway. That and the paper work for the bonded title, but have to keep hope and dream.

 

Parts came in the mail today, now to get the time. I have to run my summer bike up to have them check it with a diag machine. I have no clue why it is not running well from idle to 2K? Anyway, for this bike, will get the used gauge checked out, put it back in the bottom of the gas tank and then see if I can get her all buttoned up and running. Need to take her down the road to see if she is smooth as BMW's should be. Did all the safety stuff and fluid checks. All lights but the front turn signals work, got them in the mail but not on the bike. Recheck tire pressure and then down the county road.

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=13jdQznr9tT5Q14cwBOEpFBos6U3Ti0AY
some other stuff i found, hope you never need it.
it's html, hope you know how to use it, i don't completely
you should grease those drive splines before you ride it..... $$
the summer bike, suzuki? mine has a onboard diagnostic for throttle position sensor (touchiest adjustment i've ever seen) that will make a big difference in off idle responce

 

Got some paper work back from the WI DMV...I didn't check "Motorcycle" and somehow didn't include a pic of the VIN plate in my packet...hmmmm.... So, they asked me to take it to the local Police and have them verify the VIN and also send them a pic of the "safety sticker" on the bike. All that is done and that part is back in the mail. I would guess that would be a fast turn around.

Polock,
Yes I will get those splines looked at once the temps get back to normal. I think the steering head will really need to be looked at too. I don't feel any grinding but something is just not smooth. Could be that it was sitting for so long and just needs a bit of movement.

Yes the other bike is a Bandit 1250 and I do use "Diag" mode from that plug on the right. Works well and that bike is really running well this spring. Will be my first full season with it and plan on riding it a lot.

 

One of the weak points of the K100 is the rear spline...I was lucky and mine is in good shape. I also found out that my seat mount is broken off the frame So will have to unplug lots of electrics and get the seat in place and weld it up. Have to remove the rear plastic.
20180321_123734 by Tim Brown, on Flickr
20180321_122553 by Tim Brown, on Flickr

 

Took the brick out the other day, very short trip, ice still on my road. The bike ran well but had a little wobble from the front. One of the guys that has seen a pic of the bike told me my front tire was on the wrong way! I will have to look at it but I am sure he is right. The PO had new tires put on it and sure enough it looks like the "arrow" is going the wrong way. Besides that these bikes have fork gators that needed to be softened as the rubber was really in bad shape. So I hope once I get the tire reversed it will ride a little better.

 

on the wrong way or going the wrong way?

 

Ya, the guy was pulling my leg or trying to give me good lol, the tire is fine, but it might be out of balance. I still think there is something with those fork gators going into the bottom of the faring though, they seem to maybe be hindering movement in the turning department. I would guess it is there just to keep the wind and the rain from crawling up into the tank area and then to the rider.

With a few more days of nice weather I will take her out for a longer shakedown ride.

 

Final paper work in the mail, that is the Bond ($100) for the new Wisconsin Title. That should take another week or so. I am not planning on riding anytime soon, they are calling for up to 9" of snow in my area tonight...what the heck.

Tried to get the seat welded on, will have to take it all off again as it didn't work and will not line up. One of the great ideas a person gave me was to weld a threaded coupler to the frame and then use the bolt to hold the seat to the frame! I will be doing that this time around. Need to re-supply on gas for the welder and then get back to it. Hope to have the bike road ready by the time the title gets back and the snow melts...that could be June sometime.. After the seat I need to get to changing out the fork oil..I am sure that will smell nasty. For some reason that old nasty fork oil is one of those smells I don't like. Has to be done though...to the old girl.

 

Police in UK used to use the K100 brick, and to a lesser extent the 750, in the , early 90's i believe the 750 was the more 'coveted' bike....smoother??

Quite a few Bike couriers used the bricks also, pretty bloody reliable, never heard of one with shaft problems, some I saw got to 200K miles+, Local police used an unmarked K100RS as a 'Pursuit' bike for a while, early 90's.......still couldn't overhaul my Kawasaki Gpz900R

 

Just thought I would share, we got 9" of snow over the last 24 hrs! Yes SPRING is here...lol, time to get to snow moving. This had better be the last time I move this much snow for the 2017 season...lol

 

Only 4" here, don't feel so bad now!!!

 

Another 4-6 on it's way here.

 

Got the bonded title in the mail yesterday, so the bike is almost ready for the road. I just dropped off the front tire, it was not holding air and also not balanced. When I took the tire off the axle grease was clean but really thick stuff. That will be cleaned off and high temp bearing grease put in there instead.

New mirrors came in so tapped the holes on the bar controls for 8.1.25mm and got them in place. Nice to have mirrors that you can see past your shoulders and be safe.

 

Got the tire back, good news bad news. The rim needed to be cleaned as well as the tire mounting surface, dirt, rust the normal stuff. The shop did say the rim my have a small bend in it Not visible to the eye but the balancing machine said so. They put some bead sealer on the rim and balanced tire/rim. Once we get past this wonderful late winter storm here in Wisconsin (up to 9" they say) I will button her back up and give her a test ride.

 

Got the mirrors in and on. The weather is breaking here and I have have had the KLR out twice!!! Just like that bike for sand and possible ice and dirt on the roads that have not been washed off by a good rain. Here are a few pics of the mirrors on the BMW...and by the way, it ended up being a 1987 RS model.
20180416_155616[1] by Tim Brown, on Flickr
20180416_155606[1] by Tim Brown, on Flickr
20180416_155552[1] by Tim Brown, on Flickr
For those that are wondering, the OEM mirrors and turn signals are integrated and "snap" into the fairing. The "slap" tends to make the OEM mirrors fall off while driving.