I'm looking at buying forks and triple trees that are advertised as fitting 1993-1999 K1100LTs.  Are these a direct swap and bolt-on to my 1985 K100RT? I think the answer is yes, but want to be sure.  TIA!

Get the complete front end from a K1100 or a K100 16v because you WILL need the wheel discs calipers front master cylinder throttle assy and cable. They look much the same but none of it is the same.

Also keep in mind that the Marzocchi (K100-16V/K1100RS) forks have different rake & trail numbers than the K75/K100-8V forks. They lay closer to the steering pivot point and therefore are 'quicker' (not that these bikes turn in very quickly anyway) than standard forks. They're meant to go with a Paralever swingarm/final drive and will shorten your wheelbase approximately 50mm without a Paralever back end - maybe that's a good thing. As RickG says, if you're going for it, get the entire front end, two-piece fender, 305mm disc brakes, wheel, throttle tube, master cylinder and all, then get some K11 TBs for better midrange and upper RPM urge. The possibilities are endless, wallet dependent.

Thanks to both of you for the advice and cautions.  I've been looking for a complete front end without success (on the internet; I probably ought to call some wreckers and see if anyone has one). Cruising the internet, it seems like there are a huge number of wheels, discs, etc., out there.  I was thinking it would be pretty easy to assemble the various things that I need.  I was also thinking about using one of those new radial master cylinders and aftermarket switches and throttle. Thus all I'd need to find is the correct wheel, discs and calipers for the fork/tree/axle set up that I was looking at buying.  But maybe that will be much more of a chore than I thought.

So I guess maybe my question has now morphed to: will any K1100 front end work on the K100?  Or do only certain years ones work?

Either will work but the RS has a better rear section on the fender. The LT is Fugly

KJustin wrote:

So I guess maybe my question has now morphed to: will any K1100 front end work on the K100?  Or do only certain years ones work?

All will fit. Because they share a common steering head and steering head bearings.  A good opportunity to put new steering head bearings at the same time.

Al