Hello

Decided to join here as it seems like a valuable resource for technical information.

I'm Located in Northern Ireland.


Recently got hold of a 1990 K100, originally an LT but converted to a cafe racer.

I'm sure there are those who won't like me because its been turned into a cafe racer, but the way I see it I am putting another K100 on the road that hasn't even had an MOT since 2014 and had a myriad of problems needing sorting and to be given some general love and care.



Here is how she stands:

Hi Ian,Your right mate a K is a K and one more is a bonus We all share the same passion for this bike what we do personally is what makes us individuals.So enjoy 
your bike Ride safe and when I'm passing by, Put the Kettle on

It's all about joy and if it's what brings you joy, knock yourself out. Some folks have made some fantastic "cafe" or "custom"  rigs but it seems more never get it done. Wish you the best with it and maybe some of us can help you "get r done"

Welcome Ian

moriarti wrote:Hi Ian,Your right mate a K is a K and one more is a bonus We all share the same passion for this bike what we do personally is what makes us individuals.So enjoy 
your bike Ride safe and when I'm passing by, Put the Kettle on

Thanks. It actually suits me better as a cafe racer than as a luxury tourer as I only tend to use bikes for short trips and around the coast roads so this why I get to enjoy a K bike in a way that suits me. And its still got most of the features that make it a K.

caveman wrote:It's all about joy and if it's what brings you joy, knock yourself out. Some folks have made some fantastic "cafe" or "custom"  rigs but it seems more never get it done. Wish you the best with it and maybe some of us can help you "get r done"

Seems accurate, I bought this already part converted, but done badly and have just been finishing it off myself, you wouldn't believe how many things were wrong with it. Some people shouldn't be allowed near anything mechanical.  There has been some challenges but I don't give up easy, I'm determined to make this a great bike and I'm sure the knowledge on here will be helpful.

Arlina wrote:Welcome Ian 

Thanks

After a lot of work I managed to get this thing its first MOT since 2014 and get it on the road and have been loving it since.







Some questions.


Quite a bit of vibration, how smooth are k100s generally?


Throttle is a bit heavy and the the transition on/off throttle in corners can be jumpy. I plan to change the cable, but how heavy are these as standard and are they a bit jumpy normally?


Feels better 65mph and above than it does 40-50mph, I believe all K's are happier at these speeds?

K100 should have low vibrition, sync the trottlebodies.
Besides, normally the handlebar is mounted in rubbers, and weights on the end, you don't have it, will feel more vibration.

Throttle should go smooth, check the cable routing.

K's like to rev, try to get above 5000RPM

Welcome in. Don't worry about the cafe racer all of us have our pacific tastes. I like my K100RS because it is so original. Although I own a 91 Kawaka Z750 (Zepyhr) which I can not get the parts for so I am forced in to giving it the cafe racer theme so I can get it back on the road.
May the road rise to meet you & the sun stay on your back. Poddy

Look us up here too....

https://www.facebook.com/groups/449483129021343

Hi Ian

and to the show

congrats on passing the MOT

Arlina wrote:K100 should have low vibrition, sync the trottlebodies.
Besides, normally the handlebar is mounted in rubbers, and weights on the end, you don't have it, will feel more vibration.

Throttle should go smooth, check the cable routing.

K's like to rev, try to get above 5000RPM

Thanks,

Throttle Bodies are due an overhaul in winter, so I'll get them set well upon reassembly. 

I could easily add weights in the end of the bars if it helps.



Hopefully a new cable and proper routing should help, another winter job.



It does seems happy at higher revs, the engine is much smoother the closer to 5k I get and really smooth after that, but 5000 seems very high to sit at, for an engine which only revs to 8500.

poddy wrote:Welcome in. Don't worry about the cafe racer all of us have our pacific tastes. I like my K100RS because it is so original. Although I own a 91 Kawaka Z750 (Zepyhr) which I can not get the parts for so I am forced in to giving it the cafe racer theme so I can get it back on the road.
May the road rise to meet you & the sun stay on your back. Poddy

Thanks

I can see why if you got a good condition fully original bike it would be nice to keep it that way

With my projects (cars or bikes) I tend not to worry about originality as long as I keep the character they are meant to have. The way I see it the manufacturers gave me a great base to use and all I am doing is altering it suit how I want to use it and how I like it it to look and then I end up with something that reflects my personality and creativeness. 

bad boy wrote:Hi Ian

and  to the show

congrats on passing the MOT

Thanks


Was beneficial having to do so much work to get the bikes right as I learnt a lot from doing it. And then of course the reward is getting to ride it after the MOT.

HI Ian, Ks are happy at low revs in town traffic but really come alive above 6k when conditions allow i ride in the 6/7k this is when they come alive. Don't worry about over reving you can run 8/8300 no problem ,exept speed limits,  ITS A K THING

Yes, I have absolutely noticed it very happy to rev, and I rev it out quite often




Another thing I have noticed is that the engine braking is quite strong, Is this normal?

I’ve never ridden an air head, but I heard the discription that they run as it they had a 600 lb flywheel, 3 feet diameter. Where as a k runs as if it has a flywheel the size and weight of a silver dollar!
Back in my chopper/bobber days, I’ve had bikes that did not stop as well with all the brakes available, as a k does just by dumping the throttle

Oldschool_Ian wrote:



Another thing I have noticed is that the engine braking is quite strong, Is this normal?

Yes. The Throttle Position Sensor tells the ECU when the throttle is closed. If the ECU determines that the engine RPM is above 2000, the ECU cuts out the fuel injectors. I find it very effective when going fast. You almost need the brake light circuit to be activated, much like the way transmission retarders on large vehicles activate the brake lights.

Yep  I got to back your comments there Ian. I've had my fair share of custom bikes. I also believe where all individuals with our own personal tastes. 
Having owned 38 different motorcycles I cannot discriminate. But having owned four Harleys I do find stirring shit can be fun & good for a laugh. Thanks Poddy

Good to see you are enjoying it. On the link I posed some of us are planning a get together on weekend of 24-26 September. Most likley Airbnb so love if you can join us. 

Good to see you enjoying the K.....and curious if you encountered K Pox.

Dan Pete wrote:I’ve never ridden an air head, but I heard the discription that they run as it they had a 600 lb flywheel, 3 feet diameter. Where as a k runs as if it has a flywheel the size and weight of a silver dollar!
Back in my chopper/bobber days, I’ve had bikes that did not stop as well with all the brakes available, as a k does just by dumping the throttle

Good to know it is normal and not an issue with my bike. I certainly rarely need to use the brakes to slow down in traffic.

RS Rider wrote:

Oldschool_Ian wrote:



Another thing I have noticed is that the engine braking is quite strong, Is this normal?

Yes. The Throttle Position Sensor tells the ECU when the throttle is closed. If the ECU determines that the engine RPM is above 2000, the ECU cuts out the fuel injectors. I find it very effective when going fast. You almost need the brake light circuit to be activated, much like the way transmission retarders on large vehicles activate the brake lights.

Certainly in cars its almost universal that with a closed throttle the injectors are cut completely. 


Yet there is always a massive variance in engine breaking effect. I guess it comes down to compression ratio, drag from the engine and weight of the flywheel.

poddy wrote:Yep  I got to back your comments there Ian. I've had my fair share of custom bikes. I also believe where all individuals with our own personal tastes. 
Having owned 38 different motorcycles I cannot discriminate. But having owned four Harleys I do find stirring shit can be fun & good for a laugh. Thanks Poddy

Absolutely, everyone has their own tastes and ideas, but not everyone respects this.

Thats a lot of bikes, the K100 is only my second.

92KK 84WW OlafGood to see you are enjoying it. On the link I posed some of us are planning a get together on weekend of 24-26 September. Most likley Airbnb so love if you can join us. 

Good to see you enjoying the K.....and curious if you encountered K Pox.

Sorry, totally missed replying to you.  That sounds good but unfortunately I am now back at work and I work away from home 7-8 months of the year. Currently in Dubai. Got the pay for the cars and the bike somehow.

If I was home I'd most likely join you.



Sorry, but you will have to explain K pox to me.

Oldschool_Ian wrote:Sorry, but you will have to explain K pox to me.

Here's the theme song, anyway.