Author Topic: Back To The 80's  (Read 7116 times)

Offline BJT

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  • Posts: 6
Back To The 80's
« on: February 08, 2018, 08:18:49 AM »
Hello. So after 20+ years of Boxer miles, I bought a K75s. Road it 110 miles home in the rain, from Peterborough, thoughts of 'but what about the splines, THE SPLINES?!' going through my head. All good, and dropping the wheel and shaft showed everything was beautifully bathed in Molly. A good sign, as fairly representative of previous care and attention. The bike's an '88, with 3 owners and just shy of 90,000 on the clock. Full history in the book + paperwork and came with 2 pairs of tragkorbs (City and Regular), various spare bits and two owner's manuals. It had RT bars - brilliantly comfy but not doing much for the visuals. So on went the stubby originals, which was a PITA regarding cables but better all the same. And verdict after 500 miles? Pretty damn sweet. So different from the my R's of course and took a few miles to get my head around it but I reckon it's a keeper. And its staying like it is - no plans to turn it into a Scrambler (at this weight?!), Bobber, Brat etc. I know, I'm just so terribly old fashioned like that.
Here's a picture, that would be right at home (sort of) in a Period BM brochure. And look! The sun was shining. Brexit or not, Britain's not so bad...
  • Oxford, UK
  • K75

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2018, 08:52:26 AM »
Welcome!  Yes, IMO the K75S is one of the nicest machines to come out of BMW.  A  little low on power by modern standards, but the torque curve makes up for it nicely, the styling is classic, and the ergonomics are among the best anywhere.   Congratulations on finding such a nice machine.
  • 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 BJT

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  • Posts: 6
Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2018, 09:45:12 AM »

Welcome!  Yes, IMO the K75S is one of the nicest machines to come out of BMW.  A  little low on power by modern standards, but the torque curve makes up for it nicely, the styling is classic, and the ergonomics are among the best anywhere.   Congratulations on finding such a nice machine.


Thanks awfully for the welcome, glad to be here.
At a crumbling 45, my desire for top end and scorching left-handers ('right-handers' perhaps for you?) has diminished somewhat. 
I'm very happy with the 75, although if a K1 came along, well who knows?
And interesting stable you have there, I see a theme....
  • Oxford, UK
  • K75

Offline Laitch

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Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2018, 10:42:45 AM »
At a crumbling 45 . .
I'm very happy with the 75, although if a K1 came along, well who knows?
Welcome, BJT!

At a crumbling 45, you'll be able to lift a dropped K75S off the road much more easily than if it were a K1. Good choice.
  • 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 BJT

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Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2018, 11:50:19 AM »

Welcome, BJT!

At a crumbling 45, you'll be able to lift a dropped K75S off the road much more easily than if it were a K1. Good choice.


I don't relish either but I take your point. I could always go the sidecar route.
  • Oxford, UK
  • K75

Offline Chaos

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  • Mars needs women!
Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2018, 01:40:33 PM »


 although if a K1 came along, well who knows?


Trust me, K1's need healthy young highly flexible knees!  Had a demo for a while, I thought it was going to ruin me for lesser bikes but it was a relief to get back on my K75. It is really hard for me to wrap my head around my K75s being a vintage machine, memories of riding it brand spanking new from the dealer are still way to fresh in my head.  Then again, it does have historical plates on it.
  • 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 K1300S

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Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2018, 01:56:55 PM »
nice find!  75S is best of breed, not that i am biased or anything.

thank you for not hacking it up into something it will never be.

and only 45?  youngster!

Project Thread "K75s Midlife Refresh"
http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,7810.0.html

Offline Laitch

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Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2018, 03:49:15 PM »
and only 45?  youngster!
Apparently a crumbling one though. :giggles  The 75S might serve as a restorative. Let's hope a journal is kept.
  • 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 Martin

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Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2018, 04:32:39 PM »
Welcome you have scored the pick of the litter in the best classic colour. Treat it well and it will be your friend for life.
Regards Martin.
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

Offline The Mighty Gryphon

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Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2018, 07:31:38 PM »
Despite what you may hear about how long these bikes last, be aware that the head will probably need new valve seats at 200,000 miles.   
  • 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 BJT

  • Curious
  • Posts: 6
Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2018, 05:58:55 AM »

Welcome you have scored the pick of the litter in the best classic colour. Treat it well and it will be your friend for life.
Regards Martin.


Thanks dude, for the first time in my life I may have just made a good choice...and all for just 900 notes.
  • Oxford, UK
  • K75

Offline BJT

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  • Posts: 6
Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #11 on: February 09, 2018, 06:02:02 AM »

Despite what you may hear about how long these bikes last, be aware that the head will probably need new valve seats at 200,000 miles.


Thanks for the heads-up; I'll make a mental note to think about that in 100k miles. Happy riding.
  • Oxford, UK
  • K75

Offline Skunky

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Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #12 on: February 12, 2018, 01:56:00 AM »
Welcome to the site. Nice to see another Brit on board.  :2thumbup:
  • Derby GB
  • BMW K100lt
Rebuild it and they will come..
90 K100lt
Triumph Thruxton 900
Honda CB400F

Offline BJT

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  • Posts: 6
Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #13 on: February 12, 2018, 03:26:47 AM »
Welcome to the site. Nice to see another Brit on board.  :2thumbup:


Thanks, glad to be here. Went for a ride last night; cold but good....although  thinking the leaky, worn Avon’s might have to go.
  • Oxford, UK
  • K75

Offline Skunky

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  • Posts: 524
Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #14 on: February 12, 2018, 06:33:29 AM »

Thanks, glad to be here. Went for a ride last night; cold but good....although  thinking the leaky, worn Avon’s might have to go.

Braver than I am we had snow and Ice here last night. It definately was a night in evening.
  • Derby GB
  • BMW K100lt
Rebuild it and they will come..
90 K100lt
Triumph Thruxton 900
Honda CB400F

Offline beemuker

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Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #15 on: February 12, 2018, 08:55:07 AM »

Thanks, glad to be here. Went for a ride last night; cold but good....although  thinking the leaky, worn Avon’s might have to go.
put some new rubber on mine and it made a huge difference in the ride, even with the cheap Shinkos
  • Panama City, FL
  • '00 R1100RT,’92 K75 RT,past tense:'83 R80ST, '93 K1100LT,,94 R1100RS K75s, Honda NC700, Suzuki Bandit 1200, bmw R75/5 Honda 750

Offline beemuker

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Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #16 on: February 12, 2018, 08:57:09 AM »
Welcome you have scored the pick of the litter in the best classic colour. Treat it well and it will be your friend for life.
Regards Martin.
The Dakar yellow with the black engine is also a nice combo. especially if you like bananas.
  • Panama City, FL
  • '00 R1100RT,’92 K75 RT,past tense:'83 R80ST, '93 K1100LT,,94 R1100RS K75s, Honda NC700, Suzuki Bandit 1200, bmw R75/5 Honda 750

Offline Martin

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Re: Back To The 80's
« Reply #17 on: February 12, 2018, 12:00:35 PM »
If you get a red helmet you could do a passable imitation of a Banana Split. :hehehe
Regards Martin.
  • North Lakes Queensland Australia
  • 1992 K75s Hybrid, Lefaux, Vespa V twin.

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