92KK 84WW Olaf
Life time member
Number of posts : 7955
I did not expect to open a can of worms but I will explain the difference.
Self Retracting Side Stand [Early K bikes, 2v]
Early Ks, 83, 84 had a side stand that needed the weight of the bike on it to stay down. If for some reason the weight of the bike was removed it immediately retracted. My introduction to this absolutely foul arrangement was when I went to buy my RT, from a member on the forum here.
I wanted to get off the bike, my normal practice from the K100LT I was riding for 3 years was to flick down the sidestand and then lean the bike on to it, making sure it was fully extended. But it would not stay down so I could not get off the darn bike.
Back to seller and I said this needs to be sorted or I can't buy the bike. At that stage I was happy with everything. Anyway investigation revealed a boomerang plate attached to the side stand spring that got caught by the bolt causing it to retract. Cut the bolt so the plate passes over it and all is good, sidestand stays down. I rode the bike home, a 2 hour ride on a sunny Friday evening.
Many years alter, buying my first RS, same feature but a hacksaw blade cured it in exactly the same way. Seller wished he had known that trick....
Side Stand Retractor later 2v Ks.
Now for my K100LT. It has a mechanism attached to the clutch cable that will retract the side stand. In theory it is fine but if you use be prepared to keep breaking clutch cables. But the resistance as you pull the clutch to start the bike does remind you to take up the side stand so as far as I am concerned its a great idea.
Side Stand Switch [16v and K1100 and some 2v police bikes.
This is located under the gear box and is actuated by the side stand being retracted.
This can go faulty so if you have a 16v K or a K1100 put the bike on centre stand and go in and have a look for this by using the side stand, you will see the metal tab.
Occasionally this goes faulty and you get a no start. As in the fuel pump will not prime. Most of the time a few wriggles will sort it. It is easy to make a by pass. It is worth finding where it connects to the loom and making the by pass and popping it in the duck tail for when the inevitable happens.
I have been told this is on some ex police bikes. My K100LT was ex police but did not have it. Otherwise, its only on 4v/K1/K1100
Feel free to point out any errors, but as it's Patrick's Day here all complaints will be directed to the Timbuctu office.
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1992 K100LT 0193214 Bertha Blue 101,000 miles
1984 K100RT 0022575 Brutus Baja Red 578 bought 36,000 now 89,150 miles
1997 K1100LT 0188024 Wotan Mystic Red 689 58,645 now 106,950 miles Deceased.
1983 K100RS 0011157 Fricka 606 Alaska Blue 29,495 miles Damn K Pox Its a Bat outta Hell Now 58,200 miles.
1996 K1100LT 0233004 Lohengrin Mystic Red 38,000 miles currently 51,800 miles.
1983 K100RS 0004449 Odette R100 colours 58,000 miles. Sprint fairing now 63,390 miles
Past:
1968 Yamaha 80 YG1
1971 Yamaha 125 YAS-1
1968 Honda 125 SS
1970 Honda CD 175
1973 Honda CB500-4
Honda CX 500