« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2   Go Down

Author Topic: Lurker, now owner!  (Read 10865 times)

Offline gofargogo

  • ^ Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 50
Lurker, now owner!
« on: December 30, 2017, 01:54:58 AM »
I’ve been lurking and learning while idly scanning Craigslist for a possible K bike. Given the kind of riding I tend to have time for these days (freeway commuting), a brick seemed like a great choice. I finally found my project and picked it up today. A cosmetically rough 87 K75s.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Logged
  • Santa Rosa, CA
  • 1987 K75s
1987 K75s, my first brick

Offline Chaos

  • Administrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 3047
  • Mars needs women!
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2017, 02:01:11 AM »
yeah, that looks a little ruff.  Lots of body panels for an S on ebay, except the battery covers.  But cosmetics are only skin deep, hope it runs good!
Logged
  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline gofargogo

  • ^ Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 50
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2017, 02:03:57 AM »
After a quick oil change and a change of gas in the tank (the pump and hoses all look to be in good shape) I used a car battery to jump the dead battery and after a few minutes of huffing and puffing, it started! Blew a horrendous cloud of smoke, but started and idled.
The brakes are not working, there’s an oil leak (or 2), the rear brake fluid reservoir is cracked and leaking, and fork seals are suspect. Also the tires are old and hard, and most of the critical rubber components on the outside are shot (vacuum port plugs, crankcase breather, etc...) but I’m putting together a wish list from a few places and really excited to get it back on the road.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Logged
  • Santa Rosa, CA
  • 1987 K75s
1987 K75s, my first brick

Offline gofargogo

  • ^ Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 50
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #3 on: December 30, 2017, 02:04:26 AM »
Oh, and it was only $500.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Logged
  • Santa Rosa, CA
  • 1987 K75s
1987 K75s, my first brick

Offline Barry in IN

  • ^ Proficient Motobricker
  • Posts: 347
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #4 on: December 30, 2017, 03:07:49 AM »
Welcome from another new member/new K75S owner.   
We will probably meet again online, stabbing each other in the back over parts :)
Logged
  • Indiana
  • 1992 K75S Lili Von Shtuppe
A pox on cafe “builders”

Offline Martin

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 4440
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #5 on: December 30, 2017, 03:12:00 AM »
Bargain welcome to the asylum from the land of OZ. With the K75s be aware that failure to install the "C" clips that secure the rear of the fuel tank can result in the side covers making a bid for freedom. Depending on a few variables, like how tight the "C" clip grommets are and how much fuel you are carrying hitting a large bump can allow the tank to jump. The result is the covers making a bid for freedom, these covers are getting hard to find. :dunno
Regards Martin.
Logged
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline gofargogo

  • ^ Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 50
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #6 on: December 30, 2017, 11:11:19 PM »
Thanks Martin! I guess the PO was aware of that because the side covers are in a box with the extras that came with the bike. There are no c-clips however.

I spent all day tearing it down and cleaning as I went.

I thought the front master cylinder was toast, but a few hours in the ultrasonic cleaner and it’s making good pressure.

The tank has pinholes however, and I’m torn between getting them welded and using the permatex putty sealant. I’ll probably go with the putty and look for a decent tank on eBay.

The mount for the gauges and headlight has broken mounting tabs, and I started looking at turning it into a naked bike, but apparently the bracket is only ~$40 from the dealer so it may stay as a proper ‘S’ for now.

The inside of the air box/plenum has a lot of oily residue, I figure from blow by, so the motor may not be as healthy as I was hoping. Or it’s just the residue of nearly 100k miles.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Logged
  • Santa Rosa, CA
  • 1987 K75s
1987 K75s, my first brick

Offline Martin

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 4440
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2017, 12:10:03 AM »
The k75s is the pick of the litter in my opinion and getting rare in OZ. Keep it's appearance stock. Had mine 20 years and will never sell it.
Regards Martin.
Logged
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline Chaos

  • Administrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 3047
  • Mars needs women!
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #8 on: December 31, 2017, 12:58:50 AM »
Quote from: Martin on December 31, 2017, 12:10:03 AM
The k75s is the pick of the litter in my opinion and getting rare in OZ. Keep it's appearance stock. Had mine 20 years and will never sell it.
Regards Martin.

dittto, except I've had mine 31+ years.  Way too many getting chopped up and parted out. 
Logged
  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline gofargogo

  • ^ Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 50
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #9 on: December 31, 2017, 01:11:48 AM »
Well if I did go with a standard headlight, nothing would be irreversible. No cutting, no drilling. But I’d like to ride again, I haven’t had bike for the last year, and that was the first time in 27 years I’ve been without one. The bodywork needs repair, and it’s going to be  a while before I can afford a decent respray.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Logged
  • Santa Rosa, CA
  • 1987 K75s
1987 K75s, my first brick

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

  • Administrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 6642
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #10 on: December 31, 2017, 10:31:07 AM »
Welcome!  Your K75S is indeed the pick of the brick litter.  It's light, nimble, has a good riding position and will be super reliable once the neglected items have been addressed.  If it has any weak points at all, it is the windshield that throws turbulance right up at your helmet.  My solution was to find a cheap windshield and shorten it by about 5" which allows my head to be in the clean air above the turbulance.

eBay is your friend for parts.  There seems to be nearly everything you need.  It's the first place I go whenever I need something.  I just crashed my K100RS, totalling the fairing, frame and almost everything but the engine and drive train.  So far, there are only three parts I haven't been able to get on eBay that will cost me a total of $25 from Max BMW.

Speaking of Max BMW, their parts fiches are an excellent resource for finding part numbers, cross references, and dealer prices.  If you haven't already, I would suggest that you bookmark this link:

http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/DiagramsMain.aspx?vid=51745&rnd=07242017

Good luck with your new bike.  You got a great deal on it.
Logged
  • 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 gofargogo

  • ^ Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 50
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #11 on: December 31, 2017, 02:18:26 PM »
Thanks! I’ve got a parts order out, so now I wait and keep cleaning. The block is a grotty mess, I assume because the PO didn’t have his tank vent lines hooked up.


Can I snip the steel bands on the air box and replace them with hose clamps? I’d really like to clean the oil residue out.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Logged
  • Santa Rosa, CA
  • 1987 K75s
1987 K75s, my first brick

Offline Martin

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 4440
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #12 on: December 31, 2017, 02:36:21 PM »
No hose clamps are too wide. OEM ones will cost you an arm and a leg. There are Suzuki ones that fit. And you can find them in various sizes on line they are called Oetiker clamps and require a special tool to crimp them. Although I believe some have modified end cutting plier or nail pullers successfully. There are heaps of posts on the subject.
Regards Martin.
Logged
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline Laitch

  • Faster than a speeding pullet
  • Administrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 10154
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #13 on: December 31, 2017, 02:51:00 PM »
Quote from: gofargogo on December 31, 2017, 02:18:26 PM
Can I snip the steel bands on the air box and replace them with hose clamps? I’d really like to clean the oil residue out.


Yes. You can follow Martin's suggestion or you can get them from BMW. Here are photos from MAX BMW'S online parts fiche.



Logged
  • 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 gofargogo

  • ^ Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 50
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #14 on: December 31, 2017, 02:59:54 PM »
Thanks. Great info! I suppose I should’ve searched first. :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Logged
  • Santa Rosa, CA
  • 1987 K75s
1987 K75s, my first brick

Offline rbm

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 2283
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #15 on: December 31, 2017, 04:01:48 PM »
48mm Suzuki band clamps part number 09402-48208 will also work and may be readily available from multiple sources.  They come in black as well.
Logged
  • Regards, Robert
Toronto, Ontario

1987 K75 - Build Blog @http://k75retro.blogspot.ca/

Offline Martin

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 4440
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #16 on: December 31, 2017, 04:56:44 PM »
Geez Rob your eyes must be really good to type that small. I going to see if I can borrow a seeing eye dog that can read. :hehehe
Regards Martin.
Logged
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline rbm

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 2283
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #17 on: December 31, 2017, 05:01:29 PM »
There Martin, fixed it for the rest of humanity without "Micro-Vision" (Copyright RBM 2017)  :hehehe


[rant] The Motobrick forum software really bugs me when it mangles text like that without notice or warning. I have no idea how to stop it from mangling text either.[/rant]
Logged
  • Regards, Robert
Toronto, Ontario

1987 K75 - Build Blog @http://k75retro.blogspot.ca/

Offline Martin

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 4440
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #18 on: December 31, 2017, 06:13:41 PM »
Drats Rob just ordered a Labrador now I'll have to cancel it.
Happy New Year regards Martin.
Logged
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline Chaos

  • Administrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 3047
  • Mars needs women!
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #19 on: December 31, 2017, 07:18:46 PM »
Quote from: Martin on December 31, 2017, 06:13:41 PM
Drats Rob just ordered a Labrador now I'll have to cancel it.


What me do to you?
Logged
  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)

Offline Martin

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 4440
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #20 on: December 31, 2017, 09:07:55 PM »
That's not fair Chaos what's the Honourable Minister for Finance and Recreation going to say?? Maybe she won't notice it. :dunno
Regards Martin. :dunno2:
Logged
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline billday

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 1341
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #21 on: January 01, 2018, 10:01:37 AM »
Logged
  • New York State, USA 10977
  • 1985 K100

Offline gofargogo

  • ^ Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 50
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #22 on: January 01, 2018, 12:02:44 PM »
That's tempting, but outside my budget at the moment. I think I'll plastic-weld the cracks and replace the missing mounting hardware and ride it for a while.
Logged
  • Santa Rosa, CA
  • 1987 K75s
1987 K75s, my first brick

Offline Martin

  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 4440
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #23 on: January 01, 2018, 12:08:34 PM »
Beware the majority of the K75's fairing is made out of compressed fibreglass.
Regards Martin.
Logged
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline Chaos

  • Administrator
  • ^ Quintessential Motobricker
  • Posts: 3047
  • Mars needs women!
Re: Lurker, now owner!
« Reply #24 on: January 01, 2018, 01:45:50 PM »
Quote from: gofargogo on January 01, 2018, 12:02:44 PM
That's tempting, but outside my budget at the moment. I think I'll plastic-weld the cracks and replace the missing mounting hardware and ride it for a while.

Good philosophy.  After a deer hit destroyed my fairing I rode sans bodywork for a couple years until I found a deal from beemerboneyard.com on a nearly complete S fairing.
Logged
  • sw ohio
1987 K75S    VIN 0231
Original owner, Original litter
200,000 miles (plus or minus) and 5 paint jobs
sold 6/23
2023 Ural 2WD sidecar (BMW's bastard step child)
Pages: [1] 2   Go Up
« previous next »
Tags: