Restoring a 1990 BMW K1

2bAlive · 1 Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Fri Oct 07, 2016 11:03 am

2bAlive

active member

Number of posts : 16

Hi

You either love or hate this this bike and it seams if the red and yellow colour scheme amplifies opinions.

I bought this bike more than a year ago, and is has become my favorite fast touring bike, especially doing the old passes around Cape Town.

I grew very fond of the blue, but I had a picture of a red and yellow one on my wall in the eighties, so I have decided to take the plunge and get it back to its original colour after my local car wash dropped the bike.

I will post pictures of the process here, but hope to use this thread to get advice and input during the process.

Very few K1s made it to South Africa and I only know of two that is still on the road, I have never seen another one in real life, so help will be appreciated.

This is how it looks today:

This is how it should look when done.

BobT · 2 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Fri Oct 07, 2016 11:28 am

BobT

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I think that it looks great just as it is. The only thing that I might have done is to put the gold K1 decal onto the blue bike.

David Nimrod · 3 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Fri Oct 07, 2016 12:26 pm

David Nimrod

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Number of posts : 164

If it were me...

I'd get it resprayed in the correct metallic black.

I really don't think the red/yellow scheme has aged well.

But hey, each to their own! Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 112350

Rick G · 4 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Fri Oct 07, 2016 8:23 pm

Rick G

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Number of posts : 12058

I like the blue but they do lose the K1 identity if they aren't original. The Graphite ones from later years just wern't the same.

Guest · 5 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Sat Oct 08, 2016 3:58 am

Guest

RicK G wrote:I like the blue but they do lose the K1 identity if they aren't original. The Graphite ones from later years just wern't the same.

i agree with you rick the red / yellow is a bit "BRIGHT" the blue is cool and here is a photo of one for sale in the uk with low miles on the clock and is a 1990 k1 blue with looks like silver decals and looks great IMHO even looks better than with the yellow decals Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 447221

ciao

David Nimrod · 6 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Sat Oct 08, 2016 4:21 am

David Nimrod

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Number of posts : 164

RicK G wrote:The Graphite ones from later years just wern't the same.

I like the 'stealth' look of the Graphite ones, preferably with the large decal, in silver.

I've got a vague memory of some other colours, at the very end of the run, maybe..?

2bAlive · 7 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Sun Oct 09, 2016 4:44 pm

2bAlive

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Number of posts : 16

Yip, my original idea is to add the big silver decal, would have a save a lot of cost and effort.

The stealth look become available in the last few years in this blue and black, but think it looses a bit of identity.

Decided to go back to the original colour, kind feels obliged to do. Completely in love with the bike, so think I will keep her for many years.

David Nimrod · 8 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Sun Oct 09, 2016 4:47 pm

David Nimrod

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Number of posts : 164

Whatever you decide, it'll be a great, and genuinely iconic, bike Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 112350

2bAlive · 9 Red or black inside the main fairing Mon Oct 10, 2016 2:23 am

2bAlive

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Number of posts : 16

Hi

My current fairing is painted black inside, but as it was resprayed I am not sure if it should be. I have seen red K1s with fairings painted red inside.

What did bikes shipped with, red or black inside the fairing?

Thanks for the help.

BobT · 10 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Mon Oct 10, 2016 5:11 am

BobT

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Number of posts : 596

I understand that some K1s were resprayed by UK dealers when they were new as the standard colours were not to peoples tastes. I might be wrong though.

Guest · 11 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Mon Oct 10, 2016 5:20 am

Guest

BobT wrote:I understand that some K1s were resprayed by UK dealers when they were new as the standard colours were not to peoples tastes. I might be wrong though.

your right on the money there Bob, i better reserve my thoughts on some of the factory colours for fear of upsetting the masses that own them , it might start a whole new thread just on that topic alone IMHO the blue is a great colour hows the weather in frogland ?? ciao steve

BobT · 12 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Mon Oct 10, 2016 7:00 am

BobT

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Number of posts : 596

A nice dark blue K1, or even a dark green would suit me. It would still have the motorway munching abilities whatever colour it is but would not attract as much attention (probably a downside to some!), I don't like a bike for show, I prefer to ride it.
The weather is good here, only 15c at the moment but bright and sunny. Just the weather to get the Ducati out for a blast rather than working on the K on the garage.
Just waiting for Will (88 on this forum) to turn up.

92KK 84WW Olaf · 13 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Mon Oct 10, 2016 7:44 am

92KK 84WW Olaf

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Number of posts : 7967

Sitting at my desk looking out at a lovely sunny day. 15c and a perfeKt day here too.

Spent yesterday tinkering with my son's VFR800Vtec and thinking our electrical issues are not so bad after all compared with what Honda owners seem to have to endure.

Point here at the moment is the K since 3rd week of August has done almost 3,000 miles in almost entirely sunny conditions. So nice I suspect 88 might have been tempted to take his K1100 out.

Anyway he is so looking forward to seeing you guys.

Leprachaun

2bAlive · 14 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Mon Oct 17, 2016 3:50 am

2bAlive

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Number of posts : 16

Hi

OK, things are starting to happen. I received the seat and all the body decals (in yellow). Also found the "warning" stickers.

Not making such good progress in terms of my list of stuff to refurbish when I split her for the powder coating, can anyone take a stab and suggest what I should tackle?

Also struggling to find a colour match for the yellow powder coat paint, second option is to find a flake of the yellow and have it colour matched. Anyone that happen to have a flake of it lying around? :dunno2:

88 · 15 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Mon Oct 17, 2016 8:48 am

88

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Number of posts : 3171

Just picked up your thread and good luck with the project!.

I too have looked at a K1 Resto but Having just returned from BobT's I find myself being drawn to the dark side and eyeing up Ducati's for a lightweight, nimble fun Thing, whilst keeping my LT for the big tours.

I'd imagine it should be possible to track down the exact paint code for the Yellow from some of the K1 Enthusiasts. Watching with interest

Dai · 16 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Tue Oct 18, 2016 7:13 am

Dai

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88 wrote:I find myself being drawn to the dark side and eyeing up Ducati's for a lightweight, nimble fun Thing, whilst keeping my LT for the big tours.

Well, at least it's Italian... Twisted Evil

2bAlive

2bAlive

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Number of posts : 16

Hi

Having the only bike of a kind in a country (I am sure there must be more?) has its own problems. Apart form K1 get togethers that is rather boring, I am struggling to find the correct paint.

Has anyone got a commercial point colour code for marrakesh-red and/or broom-yellow? Can take a sample for matching :-(

2bAlive

2bAlive

active member

Number of posts : 16

Hi

Having the only bike of a kind in a country (I am sure there must be more?) has its own problems. Apart form K1 get togethers that is rather boring, I am struggling to find the correct paint.

Has anyone got a commercial paint colour code for marrakesh-red and/or broom-yellow? Can take a sample for matching :-(

Chocolate · 19 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Wed Oct 19, 2016 5:52 am

Chocolate

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Number of posts : 757

2bAlive wrote:…
Has anyone got a commercial paint colour code for marrakesh-red and/or broom-yellow? Can take a sample for matching :-(

Hey!

I have Marrakech Red on my bike K75 and RAL 3001 did match.
No warranty for you, test first!

Cheers

Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Ral-3001-signalrot(5)

2bAlive · 20 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Wed Oct 19, 2016 6:03 am

2bAlive

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Number of posts : 16

Chocolate wrote:

2bAlive wrote:…
Has anyone got a commercial paint colour code for marrakesh-red and/or broom-yellow? Can take a sample for matching :-(

Hey!

I have Marrakech Red on my bike K75 and RAL 3001 did match.
No warranty for you, test first!

Cheers

What "brand" or supplier is this?

Chocolate · 21 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Wed Oct 19, 2016 6:39 am

Chocolate

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Number of posts : 757

http://www.ralcolor.com

Cheers

2bAlive · 22 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Wed Oct 19, 2016 7:35 am

2bAlive

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Number of posts : 16

Chocolate wrote:http://www.ralcolor.com

Cheers

Thanks

Ringfad · 23 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Wed Oct 19, 2016 12:54 pm

Ringfad

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I have a brand new Yellow Paralever torsion bar.

Would this be any good for a colour match.

One of the Irish Eccentrics is heading to New Zealand in November and could bring it over.

Let me know what you think

2bAlive · 24 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Wed Oct 19, 2016 1:23 pm

2bAlive

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Number of posts : 16

Ringfad wrote:I have a brand new Yellow Paralever torsion bar.

Would this be any good for a colour match.

One of the Irish Eccentrics is heading to New Zealand in November and could bring it over.

Let me know what you think

Would have been great! Already stripped it, was hoping to have it together by then. Let me continue to hunt here. Note I am in Cape Town, South Africa.

2bAlive

2bAlive

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Number of posts : 16

OK

Took a while, but finally manage to contact BASF that distribute Glasurit paints in South Africa. Using Google translate, they found the right yellow!

So if anyone ever needs it, here is the Glasurit codes for the marrakesh red and broom yellow paints.

marrakesh red = marakeschrot = 222
broom yellow = ginstergelb = 230

The original 1988 - 1992 broom yellow does not yield a formulary, but the 1990 - 2002 does. Note there is also a third formula ( code 813) for 2002 - 2002.

It is available in the three lines, got to decide what is the best one now:

line 90 = waterborne basecoat with clear layer
line 55 = solvent basecoat with clear layer
line 22 = solvent single layer

KiwiK100 · 26 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Sun Feb 12, 2017 3:02 am

KiwiK100

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Number of posts : 243

I notice that you have bought a new seat. I have a grey seat and the vinyl is toast so am working out my options. Where did you buy your seat?

SteveK1 · 27 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Wed Jun 28, 2017 5:28 pm

SteveK1

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Number of posts : 55

This thread has been inactive for a while, but I'm interested; I am also rehabbing a Laguna Blau K1 and would be interested to know if anyone has information on two items:
1. I'm missing the rear cowl pad that is the back-rest in solo configuration, could use a new one, or an example to build a new on out of. NLA from BMW. Anyone got ideas?
2. Body decals, I see that you purchased new body decals for your paint job. Where did you source those?

robmack · 28 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Wed Jun 28, 2017 8:09 pm

robmack

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Number of posts : 2334

Steve,

Get in touch with Heritage Stickers. http://www.heritagestickers.eu/cat/ or heritagestickers@gmail.com He has lots of reproduction stickers for classic bikes especially BMWs. If he doesn't have what you are after, there is a good chance he will make it.

KiwiK100 · 29 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Thu Jun 29, 2017 6:06 am

KiwiK100

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Number of posts : 243

Hey Steve, Stickerman does not show the K1 decals on his website however they are still available from BMW. Search on the MAX BMW parts fiche and they are definitely there. I ordered my set a few weeks ago and they turned up yesterday. Not cheap, but what the heck, if ya want them, ya gotta have 'em!
Seat cushions come up from time to time on Ebay, and there was a grey one there for months but a quick search came up empty. Email Endreas at bmw-k1@gmx.de He has recently introduced himself on this forum so search the intros and you will see his post. He is a wealth of knowledge and will help where he can. If you need the plastic seat cover as well, that the cushion attaches to, these are still available through MAX BMW
BTW my '91 was originally metallic black and it will be restored to her original colour after being resprayed in Laguna blue metallic a number of times. I measured 1.29mm of paint - excluding the original colour! No way was a respray happening without removing ALL the paint back to plastic. Its been a hell of a job and I'm 75% done, but the results will be well worth it. I have been able to repair broken tabs and small (and not so small) cracks along the way

KiwiK100 · 30 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Thu Jun 29, 2017 6:16 am

KiwiK100

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Number of posts : 243

Ringfad wrote:I have a brand new Yellow Paralever torsion bar.

Would this be any good for a colour match.

One of the Irish Eccentrics is heading to New Zealand in November and could bring it over.

Let me know what you think

Hey Simon, can you email me with the details of which Irish Eccentric is headed my way? Would be cool to meet up

Ringfad · 31 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Thu Jun 29, 2017 7:34 am

Ringfad

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Hi Richard

Curley visited NZ, but it was last November, he had a great time - old thread :-)

SteveK1 · 32 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Thu Jun 29, 2017 11:40 am

SteveK1

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KiwiK100 wrote:Hey Steve, Stickerman does not show the K1 decals on his website however they are still available from BMW. Search on the MAX BMW parts fiche and they are definitely there. I ordered my set a few weeks ago and they turned up yesterday. Not cheap, but what the heck, if ya want them, ya gotta have 'em!
Seat cushions come up from time to time on Ebay, and there was a grey one there for months but a quick search came up empty. Email Endreas at bmw-k1@gmx.de He has recently introduced himself on this forum so search the intros and you will see his post. He is a wealth of knowledge and will help where he can. If you need the plastic seat cover as well, that the cushion attaches to, these are still available through MAX BMW
BTW my '91 was originally metallic black and it will be restored to her original colour after being resprayed in Laguna blue metallic a number of times. I measured 1.29mm of paint - excluding the original colour! No way was a respray happening without removing ALL the paint back to plastic. Its been a hell of a job and I'm 75% done, but the results will be well worth it. I have been able to repair broken tabs and small (and not so small) cracks along the way

Thanks KiwiK, your project should come out sweet (1.3 mm of paint sounds like a fair amount of work to remove, esp. from plastic parts)!
I used MAX BMW to get the plastic cowl part, since my bike was acquired with out the cowl. So, yah I now need the NLA cushion part.
Good ideas on looking for the stickers and getting help with the pad. Thanks.
I'll let the forum know when progress happens...

duck · 33 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:07 pm

duck

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Let know if you find a resource for the pad. I picked up a used tail cover on Fleabay for my K1 a few years ago but it still needs a pad.

KiwiK100 · 34 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Fri Jun 30, 2017 2:52 am

KiwiK100

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Number of posts : 243

This is a red cowl with black cushion on eBay at present. Expensive option if you only want the pad so might pay to wait. eBay.de is a very good source for parts if you can navigate in German...

KiwiK100 · 35 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Fri Jun 30, 2017 2:53 am

KiwiK100

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Number of posts : 243

Ringfad wrote:Hi Richard

Curley visited NZ, but it was last November, he had a great time - old thread :-)

Duh, should have checked the date.

KMiles · 36 Best Colour for a K1 Sun Jul 02, 2017 5:40 pm

KMiles

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Number of posts : 6

I agree with 2Balive...
RED.

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1 Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Fri Oct 07, 2016 11:03 am

2bAlive

2 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Fri Oct 07, 2016 11:28 am

BobT

3 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Fri Oct 07, 2016 12:26 pm

David Nimrod

4 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Fri Oct 07, 2016 8:23 pm

Rick G

5 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Sat Oct 08, 2016 3:58 am

Guest

6 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Sat Oct 08, 2016 4:21 am

David Nimrod

7 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Sun Oct 09, 2016 4:44 pm

2bAlive

8 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Sun Oct 09, 2016 4:47 pm

David Nimrod

9 Red or black inside the main fairing Mon Oct 10, 2016 2:23 am

2bAlive

10 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Mon Oct 10, 2016 5:11 am

BobT

11 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Mon Oct 10, 2016 5:20 am

Guest

12 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Mon Oct 10, 2016 7:00 am

BobT

13 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Mon Oct 10, 2016 7:44 am

92KK 84WW Olaf

14 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Mon Oct 17, 2016 3:50 am

2bAlive

15 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Mon Oct 17, 2016 8:48 am

88

16 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Tue Oct 18, 2016 7:13 am

Dai

17 Commercial paint colour codes for marrakesh-red and broom-yellow Wed Oct 19, 2016 5:27 am

2bAlive

18 Commercial paint colour codes for marrakesh-red and broom-yellow Wed Oct 19, 2016 5:28 am

2bAlive

19 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Wed Oct 19, 2016 5:52 am

Chocolate

20 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Wed Oct 19, 2016 6:03 am

2bAlive

21 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Wed Oct 19, 2016 6:39 am

Chocolate

22 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Wed Oct 19, 2016 7:35 am

2bAlive

23 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Wed Oct 19, 2016 12:54 pm

Ringfad

24 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Wed Oct 19, 2016 1:23 pm

2bAlive

25 Glasurit codes for the marrakesh red and broom yellow paints Tue Oct 25, 2016 5:21 am

2bAlive

26 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Sun Feb 12, 2017 3:02 am

KiwiK100

27 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Wed Jun 28, 2017 5:28 pm

SteveK1

28 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Wed Jun 28, 2017 8:09 pm

robmack

29 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Thu Jun 29, 2017 6:06 am

KiwiK100

30 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Thu Jun 29, 2017 6:16 am

KiwiK100

31 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Thu Jun 29, 2017 7:34 am

Ringfad

32 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Thu Jun 29, 2017 11:40 am

SteveK1

33 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Thu Jun 29, 2017 1:07 pm

duck

34 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Fri Jun 30, 2017 2:52 am

KiwiK100

35 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1 Fri Jun 30, 2017 2:53 am

KiwiK100

36 Best Colour for a K1 Sun Jul 02, 2017 5:40 pm

KMiles

37 Re: Restoring a 1990 BMW K1

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