Author Topic: 1985 K100RS Renovation  (Read 60759 times)

Offline propav8r

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #25 on: August 22, 2017, 02:00:05 PM »
Long time no see...

I've been out of town for work and haven't been able to mess with the bike much, but I'm back now, so the pace of work should pick up a bit.

I received my replacement panels the other day, and unfortunately, they're not the right ones. I found out the hard way that I bought '88 RS side covers, which are different from the 1985 and prior side covers. Whoops.



The hunt continues for a right side battery cover panel.

I think I settled on pearl white with gold wheels for the paint scheme. Should be rolling on that fairly soon. Aside from that, I'll start pulling stuff apart for the spline lube I guess.
  • Franklin, NC
  • 1985 K100RS, 1978 GL1000, 1972 Kawasaki H2 750

Offline propav8r

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #26 on: August 23, 2017, 04:59:50 PM »
Found a right panel (finally) on ebay. It still set me back almost $50, which seems silly for a piece of plastic, but here we are.
  • Franklin, NC
  • 1985 K100RS, 1978 GL1000, 1972 Kawasaki H2 750

Offline Laitch

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #27 on: August 23, 2017, 05:05:17 PM »
It still set me back almost $50, which seems silly for a piece of plastic, but here we are.
I think it would help future part seekers for you to post photos showing the differences of the two types now that you have both.
  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles
I wept because I had no radials until I met a man who had no splines.
https://tinyurl.com/RillRider

Offline propav8r

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #28 on: August 23, 2017, 05:06:23 PM »
I think it would help future part seekers for you to post photos showing the differences of the two types now that you have both.


There's a photo at the top of this page.
  • Franklin, NC
  • 1985 K100RS, 1978 GL1000, 1972 Kawasaki H2 750

Offline Laitch

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #29 on: August 23, 2017, 08:07:09 PM »

There's a photo at the top of this page.
The interior differences, or are they the same setup in the interiors?
  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles
I wept because I had no radials until I met a man who had no splines.
https://tinyurl.com/RillRider

Offline BRIDGE

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #30 on: August 24, 2017, 08:49:59 AM »
I've been wondering if the interiors are different for a while now as have been thinking of swapping from the 100rs to the 1100rs panels, so would be interesting to know if they do.
  • UK
  • 86 K100RS - Project KC

Offline propav8r

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #31 on: August 24, 2017, 09:38:51 AM »
The interior differences, or are they the same setup in the interiors?

I've been wondering if the interiors are different for a while now as have been thinking of swapping from the 100rs to the 1100rs panels, so would be interesting to know if they do.



Ah, yeah, they're different. I'll add photos when the good condition panel shows up.
  • Franklin, NC
  • 1985 K100RS, 1978 GL1000, 1972 Kawasaki H2 750

Offline BRIDGE

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #32 on: August 24, 2017, 12:39:07 PM »
Dang that puts a spanner in my plans, may have go to the drawing board and possibly remove the existing fixings make some nylon 3d printed ones that I can bond/re fibre glass on to match the fittings
  • UK
  • 86 K100RS - Project KC

Offline propav8r

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #33 on: August 25, 2017, 03:18:20 PM »
The powdercoat shop finished blasting the exhaust parts, so I picked up the header so I can patch it.





I think I've settled on a color combo...pearl white paint on the bodywork and gold flake wheels. Should look super 80s.

Side note, my engine cases are pretty stained. Is there any way to clean the corrosion/staining off of them without blasting? I was really hoping not to have to pull the motor apart, especially since it's not leaking or anything.
  • Franklin, NC
  • 1985 K100RS, 1978 GL1000, 1972 Kawasaki H2 750

Offline propav8r

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #34 on: August 28, 2017, 11:14:32 AM »
So I finally broke down and bought myself a lift table. Sure does make things easier.



Poked around a bit and found some post-MAF vacuum leaks (those make it faster, right?)





And I didn't want to waste time building a box, but I do have a set of Volvo wheels I can't seem to give away, so that worked out.



The replacement side panel should be in today. I need to get tires and brake pads on order soon, and refresh the fork fluid. I have some 10-wt fork oil left over from the previous project. That should work fine.
  • Franklin, NC
  • 1985 K100RS, 1978 GL1000, 1972 Kawasaki H2 750

Offline propav8r

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #35 on: August 28, 2017, 04:36:28 PM »
Header hole fixed up



Battery cover panel showed up today.





Dropped the header off for coating at lunch...should have that back by the end of the week.

Body work should occupy me for the foreseeable future.
  • Franklin, NC
  • 1985 K100RS, 1978 GL1000, 1972 Kawasaki H2 750

Offline propav8r

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #36 on: August 30, 2017, 10:17:05 AM »
So I started in on the spline lube a couple nights ago.





Removing the final drive shows the splines in good shape





Once the driveshaft is removed, I find some fresh light gray grease...looks like this bike was well maintained.



Transmission output shaft looks good



I had some old Volvo alternator bolts laying around that made perfect dowel pins once the heads were cut off.



The transmission slid back and off...





And the clutch and input splines look great!





Couldn't have done it without my helper...

  • Franklin, NC
  • 1985 K100RS, 1978 GL1000, 1972 Kawasaki H2 750

Offline propav8r

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #37 on: September 05, 2017, 10:43:20 AM »
I got the header back from ceramic coating on Friday...sure looks nice:



Loaded up all the body pieces and sent them away to the paint booth.



And put the bike in hovermode.



I was going to have the wheels powdercoated, but I'm walking back that decision now for a couple reasons.

1: I'd have to remove the front wheel bearings. While that's not a huge deal, the Clymer makes it sound like a major pain in the ass, with heating the wheel and all. I'd rather not deal with it. The bearings in there look and feel brand new.

2: Cost. I'm over budget on paint work already, and coating the wheels would run me at least $200. I can spend that money elsewhere, on things that aren't cosmetic, and get this thing on the road sooner.

I'm still torn on color, but here are my frontrunners:

Toyota Aloe Green Metallic


Infiniti Autumn Copper Metallic


Volvo Cosmic Pearl
  • Franklin, NC
  • 1985 K100RS, 1978 GL1000, 1972 Kawasaki H2 750

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #38 on: September 05, 2017, 06:25:09 PM »
That Toyota color looks a bit like the "Heather Mist Metallic" I had on a Honda Accord back in the '90's.  If you use that color the only reason to wash your bike will be out of total boredom when you have absolutely nothing else to do.  It's amazing how dirt didn't show on that car.
  • 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 propav8r

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #39 on: September 05, 2017, 08:58:49 PM »
That Toyota color looks a bit like the "Heather Mist Metallic" I had on a Honda Accord back in the '90's.  If you use that color the only reason to wash your bike will be out of total boredom when you have absolutely nothing else to do.  It's amazing how dirt didn't show on that car.


Good point!


Also, thanks...It was beginning to feel like I was talking in an echo chamber.
  • Franklin, NC
  • 1985 K100RS, 1978 GL1000, 1972 Kawasaki H2 750

Offline BRIDGE

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #40 on: September 06, 2017, 07:46:11 AM »
My vote goes for the Volvo cosmic pearl, though at that light a colour I would either have engine black or put an accent colour to contrast it.

You could even have it painted like a SE in you own colours as will look great.

  • UK
  • 86 K100RS - Project KC

Offline propav8r

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #41 on: September 06, 2017, 09:26:16 AM »
My vote goes for the Volvo cosmic pearl, though at that light a colour I would either have engine black or put an accent colour to contrast it.

You could even have it painted like a SE in you own colours as will look great.



I hadn't even thought about that. I'm leaning towards that orange or maybe a slightly darker orange or saffron color. I've always loved that, and I really don't want to get into pulling the rest of the motor out of the frame. It wouldn't be all that much work, but then I'd wind up pulling the motor apart for vapor blasting and powdercoating the frame...generally going all OCD. I just want a nice daily rider.
  • Franklin, NC
  • 1985 K100RS, 1978 GL1000, 1972 Kawasaki H2 750

Offline Laitch

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #42 on: September 06, 2017, 10:46:09 AM »
I'm leaning towards that orange or maybe a slightly darker orange or saffron color.
On my monitor, that color is bright copper and attractive. Saffron has spiritual overtones and would create a compelling juxtaposition of elements. If least-effort cleanliness is important, Gryph would seem to have you on the right track, but you could always just ride the bike less or wash it more.
  :yes
  • Along the Ridley in Vermont.
  • 1995 K75 89,000 miles
I wept because I had no radials until I met a man who had no splines.
https://tinyurl.com/RillRider

Offline propav8r

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #43 on: September 06, 2017, 11:18:36 AM »
On my monitor, that color is bright copper and attractive. Saffron has spiritual overtones and would create a compelling juxtaposition of elements. If least-effort cleanliness is important, Gryph would seem to have you on the right track, but you could always just ride the bike less or wash it more.
  :yes


Yeah, I'm digging that one too. A few minutes in photoshop yielded this.





Hard to capture the flake, and there's a smidge of green in there too, but I think the Infiniti color is going to be the winner.
  • Franklin, NC
  • 1985 K100RS, 1978 GL1000, 1972 Kawasaki H2 750

Offline psykologik

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #44 on: September 19, 2017, 08:44:42 PM »
I like the aloe green as well! There's two votes...[emoji106][emoji106]


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Offline propav8r

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #45 on: September 19, 2017, 11:20:48 PM »
I changed my mind again...

This is what I'm going with: Ford Canyon Ridge Metallic



It's a very cool orangeish brown metallic... Hard to get accurate photos of, but it looks killer in person.
  • Franklin, NC
  • 1985 K100RS, 1978 GL1000, 1972 Kawasaki H2 750

Offline Christopherguzzi

  • My first Beemer🏍.
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  • It ran when it was parked........27 years ago😳.
Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #46 on: September 22, 2017, 03:04:37 AM »
That color is going to look fantastic :2thumbup: and you won't see another one like it on the road.  Can't wait to see the end result.
 :popcorm
  • Little Canada, Minnesota
  • 1986 K75C
Christopherguzzi

Offline BmwMats

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #47 on: September 22, 2017, 08:20:31 AM »
Nice project Propav8r !  :clap:

I follow your repair and refreshment of your bike with big interrest.
Good choise with the Canyon Ridge Metallic colour.

Greetings - Mats in Sweden
  • Sweden
  • K75s, K75c, K75rt
K75s -86
K75c -86
K75rt -90 Police
H-D 883 Sportster -07

Offline propav8r

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #48 on: October 10, 2017, 03:10:13 PM »
So I haven't forgotten about this bike. It's still on the lift table, but the project has grown a bit more protracted than originally anticipated.

The guy I trusted to paint my body panels turned out to be a junkie. I had no idea. He was picked up by the cops two weeks ago for heroin possession. I didn't know this until I went to buy the paint (he told me the panels were ready to be sprayed) and the guy who ran the body shop asked how he was going to paint it from jail.

Fawk.

Fast forward a week, and ol' boy is out on bond, courtesy of daddy. I message him to check up on things and reacquire my parts. While trying to arrange pickup, he asks me if I know anyone who might be interested in a vintage Kawasaki project. I ask for details and get a message that says

"1972 Kawasaki H2 750. Clear title. $500."

After I picked my jaw up off the floor, I told him I'd take it, though I did have my reservations about handing over $500 cash to an alleged heroin user.

Long story short, his dad actually did the deal. I saw the folded money go into his dad's pocket, so hopefully that goes to pay off the bond debt instead of into his arm.

So, cool, I've got a kickass 2 stroke project...where are my BMW parts?

"I'll drop them by Monday"

Okay.

Monday comes and goes. Message him Tuesday.

"Yeah, I'll be by today."

Tuesday comes and goes. Message him Wednesday.

"Car got rear ended, had to get towed. I'll be by Thursday.

Thursday comes and goes. Message him Friday.

"I'll be by in about 15 minutes" (this was at about 10am)

At 6:30pm, he finally shows up with my parts. The workmanship is garbage. The body filler and guide coat are still wet. Keep in mind, these parts had supposedly been done for weeks and were ready for paint. The large fairing is pretty much unusable. Pieces are now broken that were in good condition when I gave them to him.

I was at a loss for words. I threw everything in the car and walked off without saying anything to keep from jumping down his throat.

Turns out that was a mistake. I didn't realize that he didn't give me back my windshield. Oh well.


Luckily, I know a local guy who is in the process of building a cafe from his '85 RS, so I scored an upper fairing, seat cowl, and radiator trim, and mirrors from him (since mine were all returned broken or unusable)

So last night, I took a trip down to Atlanta and handed off the parts to a longtime friend who runs a body shop down there. I should have done that first instead of screwing with this guy, but oh well.

Sorry for the long, ranty post.

  • Franklin, NC
  • 1985 K100RS, 1978 GL1000, 1972 Kawasaki H2 750

Offline kris

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Re: 1985 K100RS Renovation
« Reply #49 on: October 10, 2017, 10:54:17 PM »
If you can't rant to your Brick Brothers then who can you rant to?? I read the whole piece! Sometimes it helps to just get it off your chest! You'll get there. Give us photos of the Kawi!! I had a '73 350 triple....my first real ride.
  • In The Hammer!! Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
  • 1986 K100RT (Heinz) 2004 Kawasaki Concours (Eddy) 2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 1100 (Linda) Previous: 1968 Honda CD175 1973 Kawasaki S2350 1975 Honda CB550K
"I got bike fever bad!!"

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