Hi guys, I have come across a K100 with EML sidecar and wanted to know if I buy this what I'll be in for. I haven't offered a price yet. Any advice much appreciated. Bike is a '90 and hasn't been started in 10 years. Crazy thing is it only has just over a thousand miles on it .... what should I offer?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ee-JCPoya4

You will be buying a bike that needs ALL the perishable bits replacing. Engine seals, brake seals, fork seals etc.
However a 1990 K100 with an EML and only 1000 miles of wear would be a worthwhile buy.
I am in Australia and not sure what it is worth in US so someone else will be able to advise you on that.

Just having looked at the video I would say a light from the ground up restoration is needed so if you are planning on doing the work yourself then go for it but to pay to have it done would make it expensive.
If that came up in Australia I would pay up to $3500 which would be $2500 in USD. There is a lot of work involved in making it look really good.

Its a nice looking K BUT as mentioned every darn bit of seal and rubber will be in trouble. The list below is not exhaustive but does cover most of the items you will need to look at and budget for.

Water/oil pump and probably shaft corrosion.
Fuel pump/filter
Fuel lines
Cleaning injectors and replace injector seals.
Brake hoses
Brake system caliper seals
Brake system master cylinders seals and possibly piston corrosion.
Brake pads deteriorated.
Engine rear main crankshaft seal behind the flywheel
Gearbox seals.
Head bearings.
Fork seals.
Spline lubrications needed.
Bushes.
Brake switches gunged up.
Cable replacements.
Gear position indicator sticking.
Clutch actuating arm pivot bearing and seal.
Intake rubbers gone hard.
Possible gas tank internal corrosion.
Cleaning off all of the electrical connections.

The Corbin seat is lovely but will need a lot of patient care to soften it up again before use. It can be done and is worth doing.

I know I would love it but I would be tending to all of the above list before considering riding it any amount.

My own K has most of these jobs done either by me or previous owners and its getting the last ones on this list done next month. A lot of these you can do yourself and if you can do all of them yourself then I would give it very serious thought. The engines run forever and don't often need any work apart from the oil/water pump which is very accessible at the bottom front of the engine.


RickG mentioned the light restoration too, things like brake banjo connectors, engine casings and lots more showing signs of corrosion and needing cleaning up but really you should consider doing that yourself.

I have seen some for sale around €5,000 but these would not be needing that list of things to be done. A K with regular use and decent miles on it is usually a more reliable bet than one that's never used, unless the never used one is coming from someone who meticulously keeps it mint and minded.

Thats quite the list!!!! I think some of this is doable by me, but its time thats lacking. Thanks for the info.

As to condition of the rubber bits, you only need to look at the rear tire. 

While the list of service needs may look intimidating, a few hours a week over the course of the winter should have it in good condition for the spring riding season.  Overall, it looks to be in reasonably good shape, albeit pretty dusty.

Sidecar rigs are so rare it it is hard to put a price on them.  The fact it has been sitting and suffers from some rubber decay should make it possible to get it for a good price.  I would offer $1800 and be ready to point out the items on the to-do list.  I would be shooting for an on the road cost of $3500 or less when all the work is done.  Final selling price shouldn't be over $2000 to make it worthwhile.

Good thing it isn't near me.  I'm just twisted enough to go for it.

Thanks guys, think I have enough info to make a decision.

What I would do, is buy the rig and buy a used engine in working condition.
These beasts are quite rare and the sidecar/subframe/Earls fork is worth at least $5K. If you search on Ebay, a small used sidecar alone will cost you a minimum of $2K.
Few years ago, I bought a K100 EML from Florida with 60K miles on it at a cost of (US)$6,500. I consider that it was a fair deal. Shipping to Canada + taxes + minor improvements and the bill was almost(USD)$8K.

Yes Bert, I agree. Although that outfit needs a fair bit of TLC, if someone wants an outfit that would be a very good buy.

 Most people don't appreciate the cost of building a proper outfit.

Paul.