Hey guys, great to be here! Stumbled across this resource as I started doing research for a new bike! I have honestly fallen in love with the way the K-series of bikes look after seeing a lot of custom ones. I honestly think that "flying brick" gives the motorcycle a certain aesthetic that you don't see in any other Sport Touring bike from the era or even since.

I'm an American living in Germany and I've been absolutely taking my sweet time looking for the right ride. I keep bouncing back between getting a K100 or K1100. 

I'd be interested in hearing what the community's opinion is on either bike or if I should go and find an RS model. I'm not exactly excited by the 5 cogs in the transmission so I temporarily looked at the K1200RS, but after watching a few tear down videos of the K12; I decided it's not what I want. The K12 on the surface appears to be a vastly more complicated bike than the K100 or K11.

My plan right now is to acquire a K100/K11 (I found a K100 for sale nearby on the cheap and in great condition already) and tear off all the front fairings and replace the headlight for a round LED light, an aftermarket gauge cluster, and handle-bar end side mirrors. I'd like to get close to a scrambler/cafe racer type of look.

Long term, I'd like to get a new seat, fabricate new rear section, and completely repaint the bike and get black/dark braided exhaust piping. I know that's a lot and I'm just a beginner so that's why I'm keeping things real light and easy.

Think a headlight mod and no fairings is a good beginner's project to go? The bike I'm looking at has maintenance records and is in full working condition.

Thanks for reading!

Welcome to the forum, I have a K100RT, I think the K1100 would be better, slightly more power. Don’t worry about the 5 gears, they are plenty for this bike.

I have various Ks but the two I use most at the moment are an 83 K100RS and a 97 K1100. My first K was a K100LT which to be honest I bought after seeing for sale, despite have never so much as sat on any BMW. I loved it. That was followed 3 years later by a 1984 K100RT which I found to be more peppy, possibly because of less weight. That was followed 4 years later by a K1100LT which is just so comfortable but much heavier. Both the RT and the K1100 have been on the same long trips etc and are different but equally good on them.

Just over a year ago came across a 1983 K100RS that lived in a boat shed for 17 years. Needed the usual rubbers tyres brakes etc but I love it. I won't do 500 mile days on it, but have done 400 mile days on it and it loves spirited riding. 

Some days I feel like taking the K100RS and some days feel like taking the K1100LT....

Simple solution to your conundrum......you need more than one K!!!

But if you want a scrambler there are some lovely K75 scrambler jobs and some nice K75 GS jobs out there. Personally I would use a K75 for that to reduce the weight and its a very nice bike.

Thanks for the warm welcome guys! And awesome collection of K's!

I haven't really researched the K75 yet, been mostly looking at K100 (because one is available near me right now) and the K1100. 

The simplest bike for me to acquire right now is the K100 and the K1100 would require some more looking around the market and dealing with an unfamiliar group of people, plus I like the stock wheels on the K100 over the K1100.

Would you guys happen to know of any good tutorials on how to completely replace the front end for aftermarket parts? I have been perusing Youtube and other forums trying to get an idea of how much work it's going to be, what parts I'll need, the tools, fabrication if any... I was kind of hoping for a straight-forward job and project for my first go around... nothing too complex.

An example; I found this headlight that I like for the front: https://cafe4racer.eu/en/headlight-led/443-7-178cm-harley-headlight-led-headlamps-angel-eye-black-chrome-insert.html

I imagine it's going to be a learning experience and I'm thinking of buying a Hayne's manual real soon to start studying it.

EDIT: I've been looking at K75 and while it's lighter and maybe easier to work on, I think I would miss the extra power on the K11/K100. I used to ride an FZ6R and I out grew that engine and power pretty quickly. I realize the K bikes probably aren't as fast or even powerful as the FZ6R, but I think I would enjoy the size and feel of the litre bikes over a 750.

Thanks again!

I would take that K100 to start with.

But, beware that like any bike or car there are weak points or things to watch out for. All well documented here.

I get many friends with Japanese bikes saying how difficult Ks are to work on, but you try doing valve clearances on a Honda VFR800 or timing chain on many Japanese fours will put a K in a good light. Try replacing 4 carb diaphragms on a Japanese 4 and it will be very costly. A really ready source of consumables for K bikes makes day to day running simple.

The best solution is a good supply of Kpox.

92KK 84WW Olaf wrote:I would take that K100 to start with.

But, beware that like any bike or car there are weak points or things to watch out for. All well documented here.

I get many friends with Japanese bikes saying how difficult Ks are to work on, but you try doing valve clearances on a Honda VFR800 or timing chain on many Japanese fours will put a K in a good light. Try replacing 4 carb diaphragms on a Japanese 4 and it will be very costly. A really ready source of consumables for K bikes makes day to day running simple.

The best solution is a good supply of Kpox.

I agree! I found a youtube channel from a guy in NY (where I'm from) that basically did what I'm planning on doing. Though, my "cafe" project will look much different than his, it was great to find someone cataloged and documented their tear down process which makes this easier for me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCjk0jGQNgY

The K bike he bought is LEAGUES in worse condition than the one I found. The one I found doesn't look as if its ever been laid down, it looks very clean, no scratches or dents or wheel rash, and is owned by an older gentleman. They want 2750 euros for it with 72k km on the clock. It's an '87. Honestly, I'm considering offering them 2.3k euros for it (I was trying to stay under 2.5k USD for a working condition project bike). From everything I've seen online and other K100's for sale, I think 2.3k is more than fair.

What's funny, the guy in the ad said he priced it to move from its original price of 3750. I never would have looked at the bike if it was near 3750. The gentleman leaves for the States next month, I may pull the trigger soon.

Things I want to get before starting any projects: torque wrench, light motorcycle life/jack, and the Haynes manual. I feel as if I'll need those things just to get off the ground.

If you go to the portal page you will find a link to the technical pages. Plenty of reading to be had before you start the work.

Mike