AR-Trvlr's K75C

[AR-Trvlr]

I'm going to use this thread as a record of my work, planned projects, and a way to get advice as I work on my 1987 K75C.

Planned Projects (in no particular order):
1) Dash Pad Swap / Wiring
2) Handlebar Swap
3) Rear Shock Install
4) Front Springs
5) Steering Damper Replacement
6) Throttle Cable Replacement
7) Rear Rack to match Givi trunk.

Completed Projects
A) New Tires - Bridgestone Spitfire S11's on 4/7/2013
B) New Front Brake Pads / Rotors - EBC Pro-Lite Brake Rotor + EBC Sintered Double-H Brake Pads on 4/7/2013

Unfortunately things will probably go fairly slowly as the money + time fairies permit - two small children and work outside of the country for extended periods will both limit what I can do.

[AR-Trvlr]

It's been a couple of years since I've had a bike, but the itch was returning.  I found my K75C on craigslist in Northern VA while I was visiting friends.  It had been sitting for a few years, mostly outside under a cover.  36k miles, but mostly in pretty good shape.  The owner had cared about it, but hadn't ridden it much.

On the trailer once I bought it:


It wasn't until this past weekend that I'd been able to get back up to NoVA to retrieve it.  I drove up on Saturday, hucked it in the back of the truck, and drove back home on Monday.  Lots of driving, but fairly pretty country.

In the truck:


In my driveway:

[AR-Trvlr]

After taking it for a quick spin while in NoVA, I've noticed a couple of things:

1) The orig. owner had swapped in what I believe are RT S bars, and I'd really prefer a more upright riding style.  Anyone want to swap for a set of "C" bars?  Have a set that they'll sell reasonably cheap?

2) The steering is super heavy.  My guess is that the steering damper / grease has aged poorly, and needs to be replaced.

3) The throttle is pretty heavy.  There's a screw that seems to set some tension, and the throttle is still heavy with that backed off.  Time for a new cable I'm guessing.

[roninvt]

Nice looking bike.  I have a 1990 K75C.

[TimTyler]

1) The orig. owner had swapped in what I believe are RT bars, and I'd really prefer a more upright riding style.  Anyone want to swap for a set of "C" bars?  Have a set that they'll sell reasonably cheap?

You won't find anything more upright than RT bars. Maybe you could add bar-backs?

I have some C-bars listed in the Yard Sale forum here.

[Bassv]

Nice bike! I actually doubt if that are RT bars you've got, looking at the picture...

[AR-Trvlr]

Nice bike! I actually doubt if that are RT bars you've got, looking at the picture...

I think you're right - I was mistaken.  I believe they're actually "S" bars.

[TimTyler]

Have you seen this article?  K Bike Handlebars

[Chaos]

Nice, looks like a good color match to your truck.  The heavy throttle may just need a good cleaning.  Remove the twist-grip from the handlebar and clean off any grunge.  Check the cable, but my original is still fine after 181K and 26 years.  Lube the clutch cable barrel that fastens the cable to the clutch lever.  It needs to rotate freely or the cable will break-off at the end from constant bending.

[Brad-Man]

Congrats on the purchase!

I have an '85 K100 that used to be an RS but now is naked.

I just acquired a K75C fairing like yours for next to nothing and was wondering what how the fairing wind screen works at speed for you?

Thanks,

Brad

[frogy]

Nice find AR-TRVLR. I have a 85RT that Im turning into a Naked (no good conditioned RT was harmed) and the handle bars are long, too long for a C or Naked bike in my opinion.
How did you get the K on your truck, it looked like a very tight fit ?
...and again, a very nice looking K.

[jasper]

Good score. Bike looks great with the C fairing and S belly pan.

The word is don't lube the throttle or clutch cables themselves. Clean and lube the actuating mechanism. but not the cable that runs in the guide tube.

[AR-Trvlr]

The heavy throttle may just need a good cleaning.  Remove the twist-grip from the handlebar and clean off any grunge.  Check the cable, but my original is still fine after 181K and 26 years.  Lube the clutch cable barrel that fastens the cable to the clutch lever.  It needs to rotate freely or the cable will break-off at the end from constant bending.

Yeah, we tried that already.  Better, but still heavy. 

I just acquired a K75C fairing like yours for next to nothing and was wondering what how the fairing wind screen works at speed for you?  Thanks, Brad

Couldn't really tell you how it does at speed - I haven't ridden it much, and don't have a real baseline for comparison.

How did you get the K on your truck, it looked like a very tight fit ?

It actually fit just fine.  It fits in the bed straight but the tailgate would have been down it probably would have bent the front edge of the bed into the cab with any pressure.  We just put it in their straight then pivoted it around on the sidestand to fit it diagonally.