Hello everyone, I've just bought my first flying brick having been looking for one for a while now but they rarely (erring closer to the never side of rarely) come up for sale over here so when I heard about this one I had to have it.

She's a 1986 RT in good overall condition from what I can tell with only a few scrapes and grazes as you'd probably expect from a bike like this. I've no immediate plans other than to sign up for a gym membership in order to be able to support the sheer weight of this behemoth when stationary and a quick once over, fluids change and driveshaft spline lube over winter. Are there any other important things to pay attention to whilst servicing a K100? She's on 45k miles, the service book is missing so the history is a mystery.

All being well I'm aiming to get a couple of decent trips away in next year to see how I get on, I've not had a bike in a while and have been riding for close to a decade now but mostly on supermoto bikes so this is a completely different animal.

In the meantime she'll probably stay tucked up in the garage but will be in good Bavarian company next to my E30 road/track toy.

Cheers!

Welcome from the US, Russ.  That photo you posted invites speculation about what has just transpired moments before it was taken.  Here's my guess: You've just hoisted the bike up onto the mainstand for the first time....

RussK100 wrote:Hello everyone, I've just bought my first flying brick 

All being well I'm aiming to get a couple of decent trips away

In the meantime she'll probably stay tucked up in the garage but will be in good Bavarian company next to my E30 road/track toy.

Greetings from Oz. 

Just wondering how many laps of the island constitute a decent trip away!  

What motor is in the road/track toy? Among others, my son in law has had a 530 V8, a 328 and currently a 540 V8 (all older models).

Cheers,

Bill

Thanks Brickrider - good question! You were close, we'd actually just wrestled it off of the trailer so getting the centre stand down seemed fairly straightforward after that! Still, at over twice the weight of the last bike I had it's going to take a bit of getting used to.



G'day Bill, the furthest I can travel from my house until riding into the sea is about 6 miles but even that feels like a journey of epic proportions sometimes, so even a mere one lap might just about fall into that category! It's only an hour by ferry to France though so Europe is, quite fortunately, as good as on my doorstep.

I've put an M52B28 (twin cam, single VANOS) from an E36 328i into the E30 which has plenty of torque and is comparatively light with its alloy block but it's the way the car handles that's most impressive. Too much to go into here for fear of straying too far from the topic of K100s! It surprises newcomers on track, especially as the rear badge still says 318i. I bet your son in law's 540i is good fun - a mate of mine over here has bored and stroked the V8 from a 540i to 4.6 litres and shoehorned it into his E30, which is absurdly good fun on track.

Cheers gents,
Russ

RussK100 wrote:Thanks Brickrider - good question! You were close, we'd actually just wrestled it off of the trailer so getting the centre stand down seemed fairly straightforward after that! Still, at over twice the weight of the last bike I had it's going to take a bit of getting used to.


G'day Bill, the furthest I can travel from my house until riding into the sea is about 6 miles but even that feels like a journey of epic proportions sometimes, so even a mere one lap might just about fall into that category! It's only an hour by ferry to France though so Europe is, quite fortunately, as good as on my doorstep.

I've put an M52B28 (twin cam, single VANOS) from an E36 328i into the E30 which has plenty of torque and is comparatively light with its alloy block but it's the way the car handles that's most impressive. Too much to go into here for fear of straying too far from the topic of K100s! It surprises newcomers on track, especially as the rear badge still says 318i. I bet your son in law's 540i is good fun - a mate of mine over here has bored and stroked the V8 from a 540i to 4.6 litres and shoehorned it into his E30, which is absurdly good fun on track.

Cheers gents,
Russ

E30 still has the same badge as the K100, so not straying too far in my humble opinion!    4.6L in an E30 sounds awesome!

Had to google VANOS. Familiar with the concept, but not that acronym.

Son in law lives in Rodemack, Fr, not too far from Germany and Autobahns, so that's the closest we get to a track. Had the 530 to 230km/h once, but haven't had enough clear road to get the 540 past 180. 

Only 130km/h on French autoroutes, though.   Belgian acquaintance used to think that 160km/h was a good speed in his LandCruiser on the 120km/h limited Belgian autoroutes!

Bill

Hi Russ welcome to the haus of Knuts. Seems that the badge has a strange effect on some as I have just got an almost new E32 730il V8 to keep the bikes company.
Wow jambing a boring bar into a M60 B40 is ambitious but sure sounds like fun.

welcome aboard russ

earlier model than 86 I recon . but could be when it was registered first time ...looking at the foot pegs and seat line (passenger handles ) ....but still the goods and worthy of good ride out .

have fun on that machine ...looks ok to me

Thanks again for the warm welcome guys!

The 4.6 E30 will spin the rears as you pull away with a slightly heavy foot at 80mph and the noise is hard for your brain to compute with your eyes and ears disagreeing about what exactly's going on. 230k is decent from a 530i Bill, and I get what you mean about the the autoroute speed limits but even that feels like freedom considering our speed limits here in Jersey range from 15mph to a maximum of 40mph on the one dual carriageway we have!

Strange how the bug bites isn't it Rick?! Very nice cars those long wheelbase 7 series. I bought my first E30 when I was 19 and it's been a slippery slope ever since although I've strayed a couple of times. This is my first two-wheeled BMW though. Almost all of my petrolheaded mates have at least 2 BMWs of some description on the go at any time so it's been a standing joke that I needed another one but as I don't have the space for any more cars at home it had to be a bike. The original plan was to café racer it but I think I'd be hard pushed to butcher anything at the moment as it just seems too good to ruin.

Interesting to hear Charlie, thanks for that. I'll have to put the VIN into RealOEM this evening to check. I'd actually be quite happy if it was an '85 as that'd make it exactly the same age as me! All I can remember off the top of my head is that the frame number is somewhere in the 28XXX range so she's okay to run on unleaded. Although I'm assuming that means super rather than 95 octane?

Cheers everyone,
Russ

Hi Russ,

Welcome to the world of BMW bikes, and this forum, which can give all the technical support you could need.

My wife and I will be in Jersey on 18/09 for 5 nights, staying at the Beachcombers hotel not too far from the Royal Jersey Golf course. 

Although I have a K1100, this trip will be on our R1150RT.

Mike

Russ,

You should go meet Mike D.

They were over here last year and we had a very nice meet up in Co. Clare and a trip to Craggy Island. Great company and very knowledgeable about Ks and many other things. Have some nice memories of Jersey, we sailed down from Cork a number of years ago.

We met Indian036 too, came to see us in March this year and we had a very nice ride out, ending up with a sunny evening on the Sally Gap.

Funny thing too, Born Again Eccentric was over last week too, took him up the Sally Gap on last Monday....got the same deserted roads and sunny conditions.

Nice K: I was trying to work out the original date, seat/cowl is the later one with the handles in the cowl rather than the seat, plastic seat base while earlier seat base is steel, foot pegs are not the very first ones with the bolt on impossible to remove end weight, check out the petrol tank and see is the electrical connector at the front left of the tank or the rear right. It changed to rear right I think after August 1985, I think the rear cowl/seat changed at same time?.

Getting to France is easy for you......but if you do keep in touch. I was over in June with 88KE, he has left his K75 in France for return trips.....Also another Eccentric heading over very shortly.

You were absolutely right Charlie, according to RealOEM she was manufactured in June 1985 - the perfect vintage!

Thanks Mike, I'm pretty sure I've come to the right place for when I start taking everything apart and can't work out how it goes back together! I'm just in town so only over the hill from Beachcombers although as you'll likely know, nowhere is far from anywhere over here.

Thanks also 92KK 84WW Olaf for the information about the differences between models. If I make it away in the new year I'll be sure to see if there are any forum members about. The plan for now is to arrange things in the garage in a way that'll allow me to get to the bench without clambering over the bike and then finish a few things on the car ahead of winter before I get too stuck in tinkering with or riding the K.

Cheers,
Russ

Hi Russ,

Now you have made a few posts, if you pm crazy frog (the esteemed creator of this forum ) he will give you the password to allow access to the download section, where you will find plenty of information including workshop manuals.

Any suggestions on decent restaurants in town? Could meet up for a drink.

Mike

Thanks for the heads up Mike, I'll drop him a message now!

For a guide to eating and drinking in Jersey you can't go too far wrong by clicking here! There might even be a printed copy available at your hotel when you arrive but hopefully that's of some help to you. Sounds good, if you drop me a line when you're over and planning to be in town I could swing by for a drink and to say hello.

Cheers.

Russ

That sounds like the makings of a rather sociable meet up.....

On the petrol tank when you open up the seat if you have single bolt in the centre of the tank you have the earlier tank with the electrical connection at front left of the tank, underneath. This connection can go a bit dodgy so its worth checking its a tight rather than a loose fit. Its easy to adjust the pins to improve the connection.

Due to age of bike have a look at replacing the petrol hoses as they are all under pressure from the fuel pump. Its cheap but after a few times of taking the tank off the age hardened ones will split and spray fuel. When you do it make the new ones slightly longer and you will be able to access the electrical box under the tank and also the radiator cap without having to disconnect the fuel lines.

Don't be afraid to ask questions, everyone is very helpful and will point you in the right direction.

Hi russ,

That brochure looks just the job, thanks!

Will sort out a meet up. Won't have internet while away, so if you pm me you phone number I'll be in touch.

Mike

Thanks for the tips Olaf, I'll take a look at the connection and will replace the fuel hoses in due course as I've a reel of fuel hose that'll hopefully do the trick in the garage cupboard in any case so it won't hurt to be sure they're all up to scratch (and a bit longer for convenience!).

No problem Mike, it was a bit of a shameless plug truth be told as it's a project I oversee at work but it should prove helpful! I'll be on deadline with another project whilst you're over but will surely be able to drag myself away from my desk for a drink one evening so I'll PM you my number. Cheers!

Welcome to the board Russ.  You've got excellent taste in Vehicles!  Any more pics of the E30!?!

OG

Thanks OG, and of course - no problem. I don't want to go too off-topic but as we're all BMW fans here hopefully I'll get away with attaching a few images of the E30 project so far below.

Cheers,
Russ

Nice work Russ!  Luv that interior too.    Thanks for sharing.  Makes me want to start searching for that E30 Touring again...

OG

92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:Russ

Due to age of bike have a look at replacing the petrol hoses as they are all under pressure from the fuel pump. Its cheap but after a few times of taking the tank off the age hardened ones will split and spray fuel. When you do it make the new ones slightly longer and you will be able to access the electrical box under the tank and also the radiator cap without having to disconnect the fuel lines.

Hi again, Russ.

If you replace the hose inside the tank, make sure you get hose that's designed to be immersed in fuel. Ordinary fuel line may deteriorate from the outside in. I presume your cupboard stock is EFI pressure line.


Russ, you've given me an increased problem!

All the people I've met on this forum have been great to meet, and in interesting places. Now I have to find the funds to visit Jersey, along with UK, Canada, US, more of Europe and another trip to Ireland. 

How am I going to afford it all?

Bill

Love the E30.

Bill

That's easy.

You fly via Abu Dhabi or Dubai to Dublin.

From Dublin you have direct flights to ......Jersey, anywhere in UK, Toronto and a lot of places in US even San Francisco.

Now how to fund it...I think the 740iL would fetch a good price......!

As for that E30 it was reminding me of one a friend had some years back....it made an impression.

Will it/won't it fit...?

92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:Bill

That's easy.

You fly via Abu Dhabi or Dubai to Dublin.

From Dublin you have direct flights to ......Jersey, anywhere in UK, Toronto and a lot of places in US even San Francisco.

Now how to fund it...I think the 740iL would fetch a good price......!

Now if I only had a 740iL . . . 

B

Well, it's been a while but a combination of life in general, work commitments and other projects got in the way of the bike for a while but I did manage to give her a once over and driveshaft spline lube over winter (the splines were pretty much devoid of grease but thankfully in exceptional condition) as well as replacing a perished brake hose whilst I was at it. I've found it a dream to work on so far, aside from getting to the battery which is a frustratingly protracted process for what should be a fairly simple task.

I finally got around to insuring her and actually going for a ride after around seven months (I think), although I have to admit that this decision was catalysed by my E30 having been off the road for a while whilst I tackle a load of jobs that I've been stockpiling parts for, and I'm impressed with how nimble she is for such a big bike. Super comfy, bags of torque and I have to keep reminding myself that it was built the same year I was born. They really are fantastic, but you lot already know that, of course!

There's an occasional knock from the front end which could just be the gauges jumping about as our roads are fairly crap over here but one of the forks also appears to be weeping slightly so I'll investigate that soon. Is there anything else I should be looking out for whilst I'm there?

We've only had one minor incident which occurred bright an early last Saturday on the first proper ride. Having just brimmed the tank at my local petrol station I pressed the start button only for the starter to spin but not engage. I couldn't believe it. Thankfully after convincing the pump attendant that I wasn't joking he came back with a hammer (leather and copper, thankfully) so I gave the bellhousing a few whacks with the leather side whilst pressing the starter button and she fired up a treat. I'll put that down to disuse rather than pull the gearbox off just yet.

I don't think I'll have the heart to café racer this one now as that idea had entered my mind and even saw another K100 RT parked up as I walked to work the other morning so there are at least two still on the road over here. Once I've got a few more miles in and have given the bike another check over I think it'll be time for a little adventure...

Don't cafe a good one, sell it and cafe a crap one! The rattle could be the fairing or fairing pockets on the RT. 

When it failed to start was the starter turning and not engaging or was it  just dead?

88 wrote:Don't cafe a good one, sell it and cafe a crap one! The rattle could be the fairing or fairing pockets on the RT. 

When it failed to start was the starter turning and not engaging or was it  just dead?

If a crap one comes up locally I'll be collecting it and stashing it in the garage straight away! I looked at a knackered K75 last year but it was Guernsey registered and would've been impossible to re-register as it was and probably nearly as impossible to re-register once I'd finished customising it.

Good point about the fairing pockets, I reckon it might be those. The lids don't seem to fit the pockets as well as they likely used to so I'll take them off and see if I still hear it. Thanks for the tip!

It was spinning but not engaging, I guessed it was just stuck which is why I decided to give it a whack. It hasn't happened since but if they have a habit of failing I might dig deeper...

good to hear Russ


thanks for posting the latest instalment


re rattling on crap roads with an rt - lt type fairing


the bracketing arrangement for the main fairing is prone to some silly abnormalities ,,,usually caused by embarrassing low speed drop events ...and often overlooked later on  .
 3 x  things I have noticed consistently about this




 the first place to look is the main upper fairing front mounts ...ie from the frame to the fairing out the front either side of the headlight top and bottom


on a drop event there is a high likelihood that some of the fiberglass mount points can become unattached  ,,cracked at the mount point   this can be rectified (...ummm.... fairly easily)  , if you still have the broken of fibre bits still attached to the  fairing tree (likely )


next is the fairing tree itself ... on a drop event it can crack across the width of the bracketing metal just outside the consolidation point some 2 or 3 inches forward  of the steering head and usually on the top most tree support members


then there are the rear "main fairing upper " upside down "L"  brackets to the down frame tubing behind the radiator ...they are week as ...(better keep it clean )  a used "coke can"  and fracture relatively easily


I can say that recently I have acquired ...(thanks guys ) a newer tree mount which has restored some welcome rigidity back to the tree metal work


secondly I have thrown the weak rearmounts away after noticing the pitiful  construction ...and fabricated some thicker L brackets ...and is really quite strong ...and proved this with a few drop events over the years ....the brackets standing up to the challenge most adequately ...


all these issues  lets the upper fairing shake around quite markedly ...the transmission of this movement rattles the whole lot of the faring quite markedly and transmits the noise to the lower fairings "et al "quite noticeably


I would add that the lower fairing bottom to under crankcase mounts brackets tend to crack once this upper fairing movement starts to occur


I have pics of these things if you are interested to sort it out


good luck with the challenge ahead mate


ride well and enjoy

Hello Charlie, thanks for the very detailed post! I'll investigate those areas the next time I get the chance to and will post my findings - hopefully that'll solve the mystery noise and I'll be able to clock up the miles worry free!

Cheers again,
Russ