After much thought I've decided to float a trial balloon and see if there might be any interest in my Mighty Red K from any of my OZ/Kiwi brethren. I'll be back home in OZ very soon and will place the bike for sale on the usual sites, but wanted to first toss it out there to
"All ya'll".

See the specs below. Many of you know the bike and the mods I've performed on it from my various posts and the wonderful roadtrips she and I have shared together. I've got a belly pan in 'white' without mounts and a set of K1100RS Marzocchi forks with a 17" front wheel, 305mm front discs and Conti tyre, as well. Plus many spare K parts too numerous to list.

It's a hard choice, but I'll be returning to Americaland for at least two more years for work at the end of October and it makes no sense to have it all Cosmolined up in a shed in Queensland for that length of time, though think of the classic status she'll have achieved by then!

I dunno what it's worth to anyone. I do know what it's worth to me; all that sweat equity and joy whilst working on her, and especially while rolling down some open road with nothing but sweet K buzzes emanating from her, and smiles on my face. It's a sad day.

Make a reasonable offer if you're interested. I'm pretty busy at work at the mo' so if I don't respond straight away gimme a little bit of time.

Cheers, mates.

Wow What a great opportunity for someone!

I'd like to bid $10 per week for the rest of my life... ?

Good luck Dazz.

Ghost who rides wrote:Wow What a great opportunity for someone!

I'd like to bid $10 per week for the rest of my life... ?

Good luck Dazz.

Yeah, I don't want the world for it, knowing what bikes cost Down Under. I'll entertain a reasonable sum. Ten bucks a week, hey?! How 'bout you pay my monthly storage shed fee and I just keep it?  

Cheers.

PM sent mate!

andyb wrote:PM sent mate!

Andy, don't get greedy.

rossko wrote:

andyb wrote:PM sent mate!

Andy, don't get greedy.

 
Hahahahah, booking another flight to Sydney, then we can do a road trip!!!!
Relax mate.......Actually I thought you might be interested........!
3's a crowd, dont they reckon? or does that not apply to bikes..............????

Can you deliver?

Pm sent

I got into the shed the other day. The bike and related gear were covered in thick dust and cobwebs, but surprisingly no corrosion. I couldn't resist and pulled back the bike's cover, reattached the earth cables and slipped the key into the ignition. I didn't reckon it would fire - that wasn't in the plan - but the dash had bright lights and the battery, after sitting completely unattended since late-June of '12, showed 11.7 volts! It's out of the bike now and on the 2 amp charger to be load-tested later this arvo. It'll prolly have to be replaced but what a pleasant surprise. The tank has a full load of petrol in it with Stabil added, and doesn't stink of furniture polish. A good sign.

So, after a thorough cleaning and changing of all fluids this week, the bike will be offered for sale for AU$3500 ono, plus a few good spares. It has approximately 114,000 kms on the odo, and a quick squiz below in the signature will give those interested an overview of what's been done. I feel this is a fair price and hope one lucky buyer will agree.

It will need a roadworthy and is not currently registered. Any questions, ask away.

A good buy indeed

good luck dazza  ...got my fingers crossed for ya

Thanks, you lot. I too hope it's a quick sale. Someone will get heaps of love from it. As you both know it's a rare bird but close enough to 'stock' form.

I understand I'm legally required to obtain a Queensland safety certificate for the bike before I offer it for sale. I'll be doing that this week when I replace the battery (which is toast), but wanted to give the forum members a first go at it.

If no one's interested here on the forum then it'll go onto other sites.

I hate doing this but the situation is forcing it.
:pale:

Here in OZ we envy the Brits and Nord Americanos for the bargains they have on K bikes.

Here $3000 to $3500 gets you a tidy not much to do low Km's bike.

I have chosen to modify my offer to free garaging for the duration (saving $10 per week)

Regular exercise avoiding costly battery  replacements! And a yearly spline lube!

Seriously Guys they were more than that new, I think my K75 was nearly $8000,

27 years on, go figure!

Good luck Dazz.... or My offer stands.. ?

You're right, Gordo, a bike like mine would fetch about $2500 or maybe a bit more because it's a clean example with a few reasonable and useful mods, in Americaland. At the dealership where I am employed, I do see the occasional clean K1100RS with low mileage on the sales floor for $4990, but they end up selling for $500 less than that. Most new bike dealers won't touch a 25 year old K100 to sell due to issues like unknown maintenance, rough finish and such. You have to look on Craigslist, eBay or the local rags for nice examples of them. I spotted a tidy red K75S with panniers the other day in Olympia, Washington that the owner wanted $2500 for. When I buy another K it's gunna be either a K75S or K1100RS. I found myself urging slowly towards the power and brakes of a 16V with the mods I've done on my 8V.

As for your most generous offer, I can see this scenario: if the bike sits for two or so weeks without real interest from anyone, perhaps I'll ride it to Phillip Island, watch the MotoGP, then hop on the ferry to Tassie. If nothing else, Tasmanian roads will feel good under its tyres with a caretaker who appreciates her for what she is. How far are you from the salt? 

Another option is to leave her here in Queensland in a storage shed, totally mothballed, and pick up where I left off upon my return. She'll be even more of a classic then!

I'm only gunna be gone from OZ for two, possibly three more years 'tops'. I like it over there where I have many good friends, know some really great roads and have taken in the amazing scenery, but the generally crappy September through May weather in the Pacific North Wet is a long, slow slog, even when there's a bike to escape on.

In the end there's no place like home.

Hey TWB, If by chance you come down to the island, I'll be camping down there!!
Riding up to Parkes NSW to meet a mate riding down from Brisbane on the Wednesday next week, back to Melbourne on Thursday, then down to the island Friday morning, he'll be riding back to Brisbane Monday 21st.

If you are gonna come down let me know and I'll pm you my mobile.

cheers!

Hi Mr 'Two wheels better" - I am stuck in Dalby on a coal seam gas construction job and have missed out on 2 K bikes in the last two weeks thru not being able to get off site. First one was the '85 RT with 140,000km which went for $1100, the next was an '87 RT with new disc rotors and 187,000km which went for $2500.

I catch the bus into Brisbane on Tuesday 15th - arrive 1600+-. Would love to catch up and see your bike.

Currently chasing an LT in Melbourne advertised for $3500 - '90 model with 148,000km (new battery and new tyres). Without seeing it I think I would pay $3000 for the LT. Would prefer an RS

Can we talk - can post my mobile Number if you are going to be available around the time I get out of here.

Rawdon

rawdonball wrote:Hi Mr 'Two wheels better" - I am stuck in Dalby on a coal seam gas construction job and have missed out on 2 K bikes in the last two weeks thru not being able to get off site. Would prefer an RS

Can we talk - can post my mobile Number if you are going to be available around the time I get out of here.

Rawdon

No worries. PM me and we can have a chat. Don't post your mobile on the forum due to the nasty tendencies of some trolls and bots.

The bike is genuinely for sale and won't be advertised elsewhere at the mo', but time is of the essence.

How do we get in contact? (I have next to no experience of navigating round this web site - only been a member for a week!

rawdonball wrote:How do we get in contact? (I have next to no experience of navigating round this web site - only been a member for a week!

On the top row, there's an inbox, type in a new PM, add my user name, type away, press send. Too easy.

I can't believe that you're selling it. You've done such a good job with it.
I'm gotten many good ideas from the work you've done, hopefully you'll maintain your posts on the mods to the Red Beast so we (8-valve guys) can continue the march to perfection.

I'm in the shed. I've rolled the Mighty K out into the warm, Spring Queensland sunshine. The battery took a charge and is in. With one five second press of the button the engine fired and settled into a rock steady idle. She rev willingly with nary a puff of smoke from the tailpipe or a cough from the engine.

God, it gets into your blood. Someone remind me why I'm selling her...

Don't do this to me Mate. I'm finding it hard enough to try and get some work done today as it is!

Bloody hell, it felt good to fire the ol' beast up! The battery is stuffed, it took a charge over three days but has no guts left in it - I had to passively jump it off the hire car, so it's getting replaced tomorrow. The fuel isn't stale, the tyres still had 25 psi front and 30 psi rear. I've decided to get a roadworthy, insurance and six month rego. I want to burn off the full tank of petrol and change the fuel filter. I feel a motorbiking weekend coming up!

Darren you're a mug for doing it but I can understand why and Rawdon if you don't then you are even a bigger mug and I would never understand why you didn't.

Two Wheels Better wrote:Bloody hell, it felt good to fire the ol' beast up! The battery is stuffed, it took a charge over three days but has no guts left in it - I had to passively jump it off the hire car, so it's getting replaced tomorrow. The fuel isn't stale, the tyres still had 25 psi front and 30 psi rear. I've decided to get a roadworthy, insurance and six month rego. I want to burn off the full tank of petrol and change the fuel filter. I feel a motorbiking weekend coming up!

Where?

Dunno yet. I've got a lot to do in two day's time. I'm hopeful to have it on the road by Friday arvo. I'll let you know. Friday's gunna be stinkin' hot round here. They're predicting high 30's. Saturday and Sunday look better. I reckon I'll ride West to the hills - if I get it going in time. Any takers?

Of course, it's nice in them thar hills

Two Wheels Better wrote:Bloody hell, it felt good to fire the ol' beast up! The battery is stuffed, it took a charge over three days but has no guts left in it - I had to passively jump it off the hire car, so it's getting replaced tomorrow. The fuel isn't stale, the tyres still had 25 psi front and 30 psi rear. I've decided to get a roadworthy, insurance and six month rego. I want to burn off the full tank of petrol and change the fuel filter. I feel a motorbiking weekend coming up!

yeah....sure just to burn the fuel off.......ha !

have fun dazza .....hope to be back from canberra friday night ...

Maybe available for a day ride.  Just have to be in Brisbane Saturday night for a surprise birthday bash for an old person.  (He is 50, and no it is not me)

The hills west of Ormeau would be a good little scratch pad to warm up the new rear tyre

TacKler wrote:Maybe available for a day ride.  Just have to be in Brisbane Saturday night for a surprise birthday bash for an old person.  (He is 50, and no it is not me)

The hills west of Ormeau would be a good little scratch pad to warm up the new rear tyre

Ha Ha 50 OLD if only

Jeezum, I pegged the 53 metre in June. I'm jus' gettin' warmed up!

The machine known affectionately to me as Ol' Red is not going to a new home after all. Some last-minute enquiries showed promise that it'll be simpler and cheaper (as a dual OZ/US resident) than originally understood. And I thought right up 'til now, with much dread and angst, that I'd simply have to let 'er go to a new home.

She will be crated and transported overseas to where she'll get to turn a wheel over some fine roads in the Pacific North West of the US. I'm stuck there for a coupla years from late-October anyway so she might as well keep me company. The R1150RT in my garage needs a mate, too.

Thanks, all, for your interest.

Good for you. I was wondering if that would be the ultimate solution. My old '76 R90S had been shipped over from England by a serviceman, I don't think it costs all that much to go by way of "slow boat to Skagway" (Pacific NW nautical talk). 

I spent over 20 years in the NW, there's lots of good riding from the coasts to the high desert (especially in the desert).