I will introduce myself. My name is Craig Mckay. I live in Staffordville, Connecticut USA. I own a 1987 BMW K75S which I purchased last April. I have since replaced the rear main seal, clutch, brake lines, spark plugs , fuel injectors and most of the  rubber parts associated with the engine and fuel system, performing all of this work myself and with the aid of several forums on the internet. I have owned and ridden mostly British and BMW motorcycles for the last 52 years. My most current bike being the K75S. I will be attending the BMW National Rallye this year in Hamburg New York. Additionally I own a 1971 Norton Commando and a 2007 Triumph Bonneville Black. My last BMW was a 1984 R100RT which I kick myself in the butt quite frequently for selling, a great bike and one I miss. The forum resources  available for all brands of bikes today are awesome, I wish they were available when I was much younger, would have made life with any bike much easier. I mainly read and learn from these forums which is the best aspect of participation in them.

Welcome from Oz Craig.
That is one fine stable of bikes you have gathered. Sounds like you may have some great experiences to share.
RT

cfmckay wrote:… I own a 1987 BMW K75S which I purchased last April.
Good choice, could make you happy and forget your big love the R100.
What is the mileage? Any pictures you like to share?

I have since replaced the rear main seal, clutch, brake lines, spark plugs , fuel injectors and most of the  rubber parts associated with the engine and fuel system, performing all of this work myself.
well done, you seam to a have two good hands

… I will be attending the BMW National Rallye this year in Hamburg
A nice tripp, I lived in Hamburg vor 6 Years and there is a big community of classic bikers, a few very good bike garages there too!

New York. Additionally I own a 1971 Norton Commando …
Great bike the Commando and one of the best looking one

Cheers 
and enjoy Hamburg, maybe I drope by if there's a bike day?!

Welcome to the forum Craig, take a seat the whole gang will wander through and say hi over the next few days.

G'day Craig and welcome.

I'm more interested in hearing about your Norton than your BM! Geez...did I just type that?!?

Welcome Craig,

Nice classic stable you have there, with more than enough work to while away the winter seasons.
Enjoy the rally - enjoy the ride to/from the rally even more, an easy distance on a K.

Chocolate - I think you have defaulted to the original Hamburg and will find getting to Hamburg NY a little more challenging than just dropping by.

I'm sure you would be very welcome though.

Born Again Eccentric wrote:…
Chocolate - I think you have defaulted to the original Hamburg and will find getting to Hamburg NY a little more challenging than just dropping by.

I'm sure you would be very welcome though.

Ha ha, 
I didn't notice there is so much water between Hamburg and Hamburg. That's why it took so long when I visited my Grandma in New York ;-)

Cheers

I still like to see some pictures

blaKey wrote:I'm more interested in hearing about your Norton than your BM! Geez...did I just type that?!?

Yes you did, Mr. Blakey.   

Welkom Craig and good to see another 75S joining the Krew.

TacKler wrote:

blaKey wrote:I'm more interested in hearing about your Norton than your BM! Geez...did I just type that?!?

Yes you did, Mr. Blakey.   

Welkom Craig and good to see another 75S joining the Krew.

Welcome Craig

I sold my  850 Commando to buy my first K100RS.

The Commando would be worth more now but I travelled much further on the K than the Commando could ever manage :-)

and a warm welcome from Idaho, Craig.  

welcome Craig ...have fun with the k

Thank you all for the kind words. I will try to answer as many questions as I can. I am sixty seven years old in reasonably good health although I can now qualify as a member of the hip replacement group I get around really well. The K75S had 430 original miles when I bought it, I was a little , OK alot suspect of the mileage until I took the bike apart and the condition internally led me to believe the numbers. At any rate I replaced many many things on the bike in the last year not because they were worn but due to their age. I have repaired and maintained all of my bikes since the very first back in 1965. I started out on a 1966 Triumph Bonnevlle, then went to a 1972 Norton Commando, then a 1984 BMW R100RT, which I rode for 12 years. I was off a bike for 10 years as I owned and restored two vintage aircraft and had two teenage sons who needed wheels as we live in a very rural area. So the better half put her foot down and the bike and one plane had to go, enter a car and a truck for the boys. I always told her that I would get another bike and when I sold my last plane I bought a 2007 Bonnie. I went to numerous Brit bike meets and joined several clubs. At the meets I would see my original Love , The Commando and decided that I would find one and restore it. Started with a frame, seized engine and transmission and four years later had a completed bike. I have been fortunate to receive many show awards from my peers for the effort expended on the Commando. I love the K75 especially the smoothness, after taking care of a few small glitches after riding it for about 1500 miles last summer. I am not a long distance rider but this bike I believe has some really long legs. When I bought my 84 Airhead I loved the K bikes but at the time could not afford one. This K bike is a real cream puff and I was very lucky to find it. I plan on treating her with the utmost respect. The Triumph is a great turn key bike, the Commando gets my adrenaline running and takes me back forty years, The Beemer, she is good for my body and soul. I basically lurk on these forums gleaning as much knowledge as I can to properly maintain and ride my bikes with safety and confidence. I look forward to interacting with all of you in the future. Best Regards to all you fine people. Craig

cfmckay wrote:I look forward to interacting with all of you in the future. Best Regards to all you fine people. Craig

Craig,
This is what forums are about. Connecting with people with the same passion and sharing interest an knowledge.
I'd love to see pictures of your Norton commando. The K bikes came out at the same time Norton closed its factory. (Yes in the late 70's I was a bike dealer and sold Norton and Triumph   )
Here is the ultimate dream bike   :


welcome,
CF

I took my k1 to a motorcycle road race in Northern Ireland yesterday and spotted this.



I then had to see it a bit closer



and this was lying beside it



Another variation on the JPS but a very different engine.

Now, to reopen an old, old topic: is it a 600cc engine or an 1800cc engine?

Ringfad wrote:

Nice oversized oil pump...
Was this modification done by JPS or is it the result of an ingenious backyard mechanic?
With a Wankel engine, this Norton must run even hotter than our K bikes.

Remember that Norton also did make a Touring and a police Version of the wankel.
This was shortly after I did buy my first K...did like the look of the touring wankel, if it had been on the market earlier I've probably been a Norton owner.

I can remember reading about this bike in the late 80s and thought motorcycling was about to be changed forever.
Years later I read somewhere that the Wankel didn't take off for bikes and cars because the took a looong time to warm up.

Here's a great write-up from Roland Brown (Bike magazine) about his test ride at the time.
http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/norton/norton_classic%2088.htm