Many years ago (26 years ago in fact, when I bought my 75S) I enrolled on a rider training course. The instructor was a gnarled police motorcyclist who addressed his class at their first meeting as follows: "There are old motorcyclists and there are bold motorcyclists, but there are very few old, bold motorcyclists." I have kept his caution in mind over the years and it has served me well - I'm in my sixties!
Five years ago I thought my motorcycling days were over owing to a problem with my eyes. I was reluctant to sell the bike so I simply garaged it and forgot about it, without following any recommended practices for laying it up (unwise I know). Long story short, my eye condition has improved to the extent that I intend to ride the bike again. I'm getting it (and me) ready for the road and, unexpectedly, I find myself enjoying wielding a wrench again. I have completed all the recommended routine maintenance actions and I have lubed the rear drive splines. I'm waiting to get some parts I've ordered and a new battery. Yesterday I connected a car battery to see if the electrics are still in working order. Unfortunately, not a thing, zilch! So my immediate aim is to learn enough to troubleshoot the electrics and get the '75 running sweetly again.
I'm pleased to have found this forum while browsing the Net and I'm glad to join your community.
Chris

Welcome Mick, after a few more posts a lot more information will become available to you.

Howdy and welcome to the forum Chris.

Good to hear that you've returned to motorcycling!

Greetings Chris welcome to the forum. If you go to the Portal page there is a thread about what to do for bricks that have been laid up for a while.

All right...is it Chris or Mick?

Thanks for the welcome messages fellas. Regarding what handle I prefer, Mick is an abbreviated version of my surname; Chris is my first name. I'm OK with either one but to avoid possible confusion or an identity crisis on my part, I'll opt for "Chris".

Welcome to the forum Chris.

If the bike was running when you stored it and you don't get power now, start cleaning the electrical connections and particularly the ground ones. There is 3 main grounds on the bike: The one coming from the battery to the side of the engine, one on the frame under the gas thank, and.... the starter motor. this page for electrical diagrams.

As you may have read before, our best friend is Deoxit

Cheers,

Bert

Thanks Bert, bike was running OK when last used. I'll check out the Earth points and the electrical connectors. I have a digital multimeter and know the basics (I think) of using it, but in matters moto-electrical I'm pretty much a novice. I have done a Google search for Deoxit but so far I haven't identified a supplier in SA. Is it a unique product or are there any good substitutes?

Cheers, Chris

Welcome to the forum Chris, there are many of us here who have returned to bikes. I'm still learning the K myself on a need to know basis and so far my needs have been simple. Good luck with getting it going.
88KE

great intro chris ....welcome to the forum ...!!

Welcome Chris
if it was working before you put it to bed, guaranteed it will work for you now with just the right tweaking.
You seem rather young to be enjoying yourself.
RT

RT wrote:Welcome Chris
if it was working before you put it to bed, guaranteed it will work for you now with just the right tweaking.
You seem rather young to be enjoying yourself.
RT

It's been said that you're as old as the woman you feel. My wife is a good ten years younger; had I known her when I was 25 I'd have been accused of cradle-snatching (or worse).

Hi Chris,
Good to have you with us and welcome back to the two wheel BMW K fraternity.
Regards,
K-BIKE

Welcome aboard Chris - great to hear of another old "K" being brought back to life too

Welcome aboard Chris and welcome back to the biking community.