I am the proud new owner of a 1985 K100RT(?). She has 102,000 miles on her and drives like a dream. The only thing I've done is "fix" the speedo/tach problems these all seem to have. The VIN# is WB1051408F0050894. Can anyone tell me if this is an early/late model 85? As you can see she is also missing the radiator shroud on both sides. Think a previous owner was getting pretty hot on the thing...

Congratulations with your new bike and welcome to the forum Etalk.
It`s a lot of knowledge of these older models in here, and helpful members.

Your bike did leave the factory as an RT in 09/84.

And on an early bike like that you probably need to have lead substitute in the gasoline.
On the euro models this was changed last half -85, not quite shure about the us models

Inge K.

hi etalk welcome to the forum....



that looks like a old "r" type fairing cutt to fitt up as a bikini type ....possibly a previous owner had a little misshap and didnt go all the way to restoring the "k" type fairings ....but hey it dont matter that much..there an enjoyable beast to ride no matter what

Yeah, I took that fairing off to replace the headlight bulb and it is definitely not OEM (took 2 hours to take it off, replace the bulb and put it back together). Some company out of California produced it.

Thanks for the tip on the lead substitute and the VIN info. Not sure about that either. It doesn't smoke or anything so I assume the valves are all good. Maybe I'll try a bottle and see if makes any difference.

That fairing looks like a Rifle that were popular some years back. They made fairings for a lot of bikes, Harleys and others too. The windscreen looks a bit like a Parabellum though, with its cut-out at the leading edge.

The US began significantly reducing the amount of lead used in 'gasoline' starting in the late '70s. By '81 or '82 there was none at all in the fuel. I have never heard of any US model K bike needing lead substitute such as the Euro models may have required. I'll bet this bike has never seen a pinch of lead in all its years on the highways and byways of America. Smoking won't be a result of not using lead, and a bottle or two of lead substitute won't make a difference at all. It's a long term exhaust valve and valve seat recession issue with the clearances tightening up and the compression going away. My money is on the bike being good to go with the proper maintenance.

There used to be a nice little local Beemer club rally in 'Flag' at the fairgrounds, including the national BMWMOA rally back in, what, 1985? I rode my first K1200RS along the twisty Oak Creek Canyon back in '97. Nice bike, great road, until you get to Sedona, then it's too lattè.

More good info... Thanks!

Through my research I have not found a club up here yet, but there is a pretty big one in Phoenix -- Rim Riders of AZ. Now's the time to be riding in N. AZ for sure!

Hi etalk welcome to the forum. nice lookin bike mate, you sure have some great scenary in AZ.



BIG D

Hi etalk welcome aboard, great place the Flag but brutal winter though.
Regards,
K-BIKE

Welcome aboard etalk from another new member.