I've had a notion to get back on a bike for a few years. A chance series of events led me to an 88 k100lt in storage for a few years. A small amount of money changed hands and it was mine. In need of only a battery, a good service and some light cosmetic restoration.

I've neve had one of these before but so far I love the torque but not the length of front fork travel. Over the winter I'll need to strip it to the frame and treat some light surface rust. Then maybe a colour change on the bodywork (currently gold). I'll be looking for lots of advice from you guys on the forum once I get stuck in!

Cheers 88KE. Your story of the return to riding is a common one here. I think there are a couple of other Irishmen lurking hereabouts...

Greetings 88KE, welcome to the forum and back to biking lots of info on this site.



BIG D

Welcome aboard 88ke. I was one of those who returned to riding after many years. I have found that most questions that I had, already had the solution recorded somewhere on this forum.

88KE wrote:...an 88 k100lt...so far I love the torque but not the length of front fork travel.

Fáilte to the forum. Welcome aboard. There are very many ways of 'stiffening' the front end if implied diving of the nose under braking is what you don't love. Progressive Suspension make a decent replacement spring set which is firmer, as well as the servicing and replacement of the fork oil with something of higher viscosity, 10W or higher. It could just be that the fork oil level isn't up to spec which will give a 'soft', under-damped feel to the front suspenders. Alternatively, try a set of second hand K75 'S' fork legs, which slide right into the triple clamps and fork legs of standard suspension, as they are reduced travel and firmer for more sporting riding. This I did to my K100RS.

Thanks for the replies guys and thanks for the sport forks idea "two wheels better". I've ridden to Dublin and back today and I'm getting used to the feel of it. I don't think the fork oil is the problem as it was replaced only a couple of weeks ago as part of the service.

Welcome 88KE
seem like everyone who is new to these bikes (me included) takes about 1 or 2 thousand miles to get the real feel of it. The strange bit is if you then go and ride another newish japanesey thing you think your going to fall over and without that engine braking, whooo the corners come up quick.
So just relax and enjoy the old girl a bit before trying to change too much.
Glad to hear from you.
RT

http://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/Shop/Parts.php?T=5&NU=15&M=40&Ct=MA&SbCt=BA_15_40_MA_25

Welcome 88KE. Check out the above link for replacement springs. I fitted them to my RT a few years ago and they make a great difference.

Welcome to the forum 88ke.



Like TWB said the oil viscosity have a big bearing on the ride of the bike. You will find that 5 weight makes for a very soft ride and 15 for a firm ride.

I used to mix my own untill I managed to get some 7.5 and that was the goldilocks oil for me.

Welcome 88KE.

"Then maybe a colour change on the bodywork (currently gold). "

I'm going out on limb here (and the other formumists will back me) as I don't normally offer my opinion to the colour of the K100's, but red is really a nice colour...

blakey wrote:Welcome 88KE.

"Then maybe a colour change on the bodywork (currently gold). "

I'm going out on limb here (and the other formumists will back me) as I don't normally offer my opinion to the colour of the K100's, but red is really a nice colour...

No Kiddin

I heard red attracts wombats, just heresay mind.

Welcome 88KE. Ditto to what all the others have said. Great place here for info, camaraderie and the odd laugh. Have fun on the bike!

blakey wrote:Welcome 88KE.

"Then maybe a colour change on the bodywork (currently gold). "

I'm going out on limb here (and the other formumists will back me) as I don't normally offer my opinion to the colour of the K100's, but red is really a nice colour...

I tend to agree! The yellows and cream colours are very nice on the naked and RS style bikes but the full fairing won't suit them. I have always thought that the pale metallic colours, silver Gold. etc don't age that well.

"I tend to agree!"
Ha! Suck eggs you guys!
88KE is my new best friend!

Welcome mate!

You haven't seen that flash yellow RT ride what rocked up to Urunga a coupla months ago then.

welcome 88ke ...enjoy the riding... their a great beast ...as all the above will testify ...how about a pic or two ?



btw thats mine the.... greeny silver thing above ...its just a brilliant pic of some fantastic friends rides that brings a smile to my face every time i see it

[quote="charlie99"]welcome 88ke ...enjoy the riding....how about a pic or two ?

I tried that earlier today was told in proper red writing no less that i cant post linky things for 7 days on account of being a newbie on the forum but I'll post some asap.