1 In the desert, but not deserted Wed Aug 23, 2023 5:20 am
K100DesertRider
New member
Hello Fellow BMW riders!
I'm Max and I bought a K100RS couple of years ago in Arizona. "Officially," according to several VIN decoder lookup websites, I have the following: 1985 BMW K100 RS K 589
It sat for more than a year, the battery went dead. I got a new battery and it was running rough (I presumed old fuel). I put in a new fuel filter and pump. The other major issue was the "Combination switch with continuous light" switch assembly. The green button crumbled away, and in order to keep riding, I would have to jiggle the red kill switch. I ended up buying a new one at Bob's Motorcycles (not cheap, $197 !!!).
Pain in the butt. I had to remove the fairings, gas tank and other fun stuff. Considering the bike is 38 years old and only less than 25,000 miles, there was a LOT of dirt and dust hidden everywhere. So, I used an industrial steam cleaner ("2500W High Temp Pressurized Steam Cleaner Machine") to get in all the tight places.
Since all the fairings were off, I had to rebuild the headlight assembly, since the little metal shield that is held by two metal prongs broke loose and bouncing around when I rode. Now the headlight is clean and sealed up like new (sure beats paying $400 for a new one or $200 for a new lens). I'm extremely impressed, I don't remember EVER having a headlight that can completely be taken apart including the lens.
So there is only one major issue I have. BMW seems to be halting manufacturing or keeping NOS on certain items for older bikes. If my ignition coils go, where the heck can I get NOS or better coils for my 1985 K100RS? Realistically and ideally I do not wish to use modified solutions. This is the BMW part number for the ignition coil: 12 131 459 513.
Most places will list the price between $220 to $260 for EACH, but they are always listed as "Out of Stock" and SADLY my bike needs TWO of those ignition coils. I wish I could rebuild a coil, but is that really possible? What do you do if your coil fails?
- Max
I'm Max and I bought a K100RS couple of years ago in Arizona. "Officially," according to several VIN decoder lookup websites, I have the following: 1985 BMW K100 RS K 589
It sat for more than a year, the battery went dead. I got a new battery and it was running rough (I presumed old fuel). I put in a new fuel filter and pump. The other major issue was the "Combination switch with continuous light" switch assembly. The green button crumbled away, and in order to keep riding, I would have to jiggle the red kill switch. I ended up buying a new one at Bob's Motorcycles (not cheap, $197 !!!).
Pain in the butt. I had to remove the fairings, gas tank and other fun stuff. Considering the bike is 38 years old and only less than 25,000 miles, there was a LOT of dirt and dust hidden everywhere. So, I used an industrial steam cleaner ("2500W High Temp Pressurized Steam Cleaner Machine") to get in all the tight places.
Since all the fairings were off, I had to rebuild the headlight assembly, since the little metal shield that is held by two metal prongs broke loose and bouncing around when I rode. Now the headlight is clean and sealed up like new (sure beats paying $400 for a new one or $200 for a new lens). I'm extremely impressed, I don't remember EVER having a headlight that can completely be taken apart including the lens.
So there is only one major issue I have. BMW seems to be halting manufacturing or keeping NOS on certain items for older bikes. If my ignition coils go, where the heck can I get NOS or better coils for my 1985 K100RS? Realistically and ideally I do not wish to use modified solutions. This is the BMW part number for the ignition coil: 12 131 459 513.
Most places will list the price between $220 to $260 for EACH, but they are always listed as "Out of Stock" and SADLY my bike needs TWO of those ignition coils. I wish I could rebuild a coil, but is that really possible? What do you do if your coil fails?
- Max