K11 Owners Group

Carl · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 12:21 pm Post subject: Stainless Steel Fasteners

If you would like to add some bling bling to your K11, I would suggest a Stainless Steel fastener kit. Several months ago, member, Allen Nelson put me in touch with Chris Powers at www.desmoparts.com. Chris was looking for a K11 to create a ss fastener kit. I loaned my bike to Chris and he went thru and replaced most fasteners. Chris does not offer ss fasteners for brake and suspension parts as ss is not as strong as a high grade steel bolt. Since Chris did the work, I cannot comment on the effort or the instructions provided, only on the end result. I like the look. Chris offers several options, the main kit which contains most fairing/hardware fasteners, the front engine cover kit, and the belly pan kit. Chris had to have the belly pan fasteners made so I guess that is why he offers them as a seperate kit. You can see and get information at the website listed above, but to see the belly pan fasteners look at ebay item #2481784480. Hopefully Chris will combine all the information on his website in the future.
Thanks,
Carl

Allen Nelson · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 4:45 pm Post subject:

For those of you who may not have looked into changing out your screws/fasteners for stainless steel.....take a look at your old fasteners. Chances are they are showing wear and their age. You can spend the money for genuine BMW replacements it you like. But if you opt for the ss stuff, it really gives your bike an improved appearance. No I don't own half interest in Desmo! But I can tell you that those belly pan screws in stainless have never been available prior to this! No one made an exact replacement for the 8 belly pan screws...except BMW and only in black......you know those screws with the odd shoulder that keeps you from crushing the belly pan edge when tightening everything up. Good piece to replace, since they get jambed everytime you change your oil.

Carl, your posting reminds me of a question I've been meaning to ask you. The pictures of your bike are great...in fact your bike looks great too....but I'm curious about one thing. Did you paint that black on the lowers or did you have Rhino lining sprayed on. I can't tell from the photo, but it looks like it's holding up well. I've been thinking about doing something like that....but don't want to just do it with paint, because of all the chipping that occurs there. So I've been thinking about the Rhino or equivalant type application.
_________________
REDBRICK, '96RS (formerly owned), K11OG#5
2011 Triumph Sprint GT
Not a turncoat...and do miss my special K

Jim · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 5:42 pm Post subject: ss fastener kit

Carl,

I don't see a kit for the K1100LT listed on their website. I was hoping they would have one...What do you ride?

Thanks for the info, though.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Carl · Posted: Thu Jun 10, 2004 6:19 pm Post subject: Stainless Steel Fasteners

Allen, to answer your question first. The previous owner had masked off a design on the belly pan and painted it with black wrinkle paint. Like you said, it gets chipped, so from time to time I mask it off again and hit it with black spray paint. The wrinkle texture is still intact. Last time I painted the 1" strip along the side of the belly pan under the new ss fasteners to make them stand out more.

Jim, to answer your question. I ride a 93' K1100RS so that is what Chris at Desmoparts had to work with. There would be a few differences in the fairing fasteners between the RS and the LT, but I would think the kit offered would come very close. I would suggest calling Chris and working with him to get exactly what you need.
Carl

Allen Nelson · Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2004 1:54 pm Post subject:

Carl, did you get the belly pan screws? If so, do they have the same configuration as the OEM ones.....that is the shoulder from the head down to the limited threads....used to keep from squashing the plastic of the fairing?
_________________
REDBRICK, '96RS (formerly owned), K11OG#5
2011 Triumph Sprint GT
Not a turncoat...and do miss my special K

Carl · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 10:29 am Post subject: SS Fasteners

Allen, yes I also got the belly pan screws, that was part of the deal with Desmoparts to use my bike as a model. The SS belly pan screws do have the shoulder and work as the OEM screw.
Carl

Allen Nelson · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 11:19 am Post subject:

That is great to know and a real plus. As far as I know, no one makes the belly pan screws that are exact duplicates of the BMW screws!
_________________
REDBRICK, '96RS (formerly owned), K11OG#5
2011 Triumph Sprint GT
Not a turncoat...and do miss my special K

Stoked Steve · Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2004 6:29 pm Post subject:

I saw them on e-bay and bid on the belly pan screws and won (with no competition) for $29.00, I think they sell for $39.00 direct (also on e-bay). They screws are nice and add a sportier, newer look. They installed easy as pie and came with new washers.

Now I want the full kit, that also was on e-bay for bid and I wasn't watching the bidding after I put a low bid on it, some guy got it for only $25. There is also a "buy it now" on there for $49.00. I haven't seen it (the full kit) up for auction lately, so I guess I'll buy it outright, it would be really nice to replace all the small bolts and screws, really freshen things up.

On the site are some very good photos showing many of the fasteners on the bike (I assume yours, Carl?)
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Carl · Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 9:26 am Post subject: SS Fasteners

Steve, yep, thats my 1993 K1100RS.
Carl

Allen Nelson · Posted: Fri Oct 22, 2004 11:05 am Post subject:

Okay....here are some photo's that I thought some of you might appreciate. I just received my kit from Desmo and am very pleased with what they are producing (definite disclaimer here....I am in no way affiliated with anyone associated with them). The belly pan screws are indeed exact Razz

duplications of the BMW OEM screws (which are very unique screws too). The kit came in 10 plastic bags, each bag clearly identified and a 3 page application and instruction pack. This has to be the best supplier (at least for our bikes) of Stainless steel fasteners on the market. They've done a first rate job of producing a comprehensive kit for replacing K11 fasteners.

_________________
REDBRICK, '96RS (formerly owned), K11OG#5
2011 Triumph Sprint GT
Not a turncoat...and do miss my special K

ducatipaso · airhead butcher Joined: 18 Jul 2003 Posts: 694

oooo those are seksy
if i had the time/dollars to do a fastener swap...

YUM

Very Happy

Stoked Steve · Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2005 9:26 pm Post subject:

I have just recently completed installing the full stainless steel screw and fastener replacement kit. Wow, a lot of items in this kit. It took me about 12 hours to do it all. But, as I am still new to the bike, a lot of it was learning how all the different body panels come off and just trying to identify which part the instructions refer to. I am sure a more famaliar owner could do it in about 6-8 hours.

All in all though, a very nice assortment of screws, bolts and washers. Really fixed some aging and rough looking fasteners, some I didn't even know about! There were a few discrepancies in the instructions and a couple of mis-sized bolts, but all could still be used.

I think the best part was that I got to "bond' with my still new to me bike. I took off items that I didn't even know about and as a result will feel much more confident about pulling stuff off in the future.

I also got the belly pan (or chin fairing) kit a few months ago, that's the eight special shoulder screws at the top of the belly pan. So now with the full kit, all the misc. fasteners are stainless steel and add a nice fresh look to some of the hardware.

A $40 well spent and a great winter time, easy, hang out in the garage project. I'd recommend it to anyone.
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Allen Nelson · Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 7:11 pm Post subject: Update on belly pan screws...

Prior to getting the Desmo fasteners, I was using standard stainless steel button heads, with out the non-threaded shoulder. The shoulder had a prupose that I didn't grasp early on....which was to keep from overtightening and crushing the fairing parts. As a result I have discovered that during all the years of using incorrect fasteners,I've crushed the plastic that holds the clips in place for the screws on the mid section fairing....both left and right.

I am now looking to spend roughly $400 to replace them and that's with out painting them. So take some advice, if you lose your old screws or decide to change over to stainless steel, be sure to either buy OEM BMW screws or buy these Desmos...which are an exact duplicate to the OEM BMW parts Embarassed

_________________
REDBRICK, '96RS (formerly owned), K11OG#5
2011 Triumph Sprint GT
Not a turncoat...and do miss my special K

Don Sproule · Guest

Don't forget guys. Chris at desmoparts is looking for a K1100LT to examine so he can put together a kit specific to the LT. He needs someone to leave his bike with him for about a week to do so.
So, if you live in the Houston area, and would like a free kit, give him an email. We need a guinea pig so we can order our own kits.

Don Sproule
Manila, Philippines

Jim · Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 2:00 pm Post subject: Stainless steel fasteners

Good news! Just got an email from Chris at Desmoparts - the K11LT stainless steel kit is ready - I don't know if there is still one on ebay or not (try item #4598091771), but you can always buy directly from Desmoparts: http://www.desmoparts.com/ .

I stopped at Desmoparts on my way to Peoria this past summer. Although I wasn't able to leave my bike for a week, Chris and I spent the better part of a day changing hardware on the LT. Chris already had an RS kit, so we focused on the fasteners that you'd need for an LT.

Chris is a really great guy, and runs a first class operation. I don't know about his ebay sales, but if you buy from Desmoparts, you get free shipping worldwide (or at least that was the setup the last time I looked).

Because stainless steel fasteners are not as strong as steel, there are some bolts and screws that can't be replaced - mostly suspension, steering and brake related - but most of those are out of sight anyway. Unless there's been a change, Chris is getting most of the stainless hardware from Italy.

I was a little concerned that the stainless might not look quite right (the only shiny parts on the bike are the engine guards), but actually, it looks great. Some of the fasteners on my bike had started to rust - stainless is a vast improvement! I highly recommend this kit.
_________________
Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

Jim · Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 5:28 pm Post subject: Re: Stainless steel fasteners

Looking for a winter project? Is it time to get rid of those rusty fasteners?

There are a lot of new members here - figured I'd dig this thread out and dust it off for you.

Don Sproule

I have to chime in with Jim.
Chris (Desmo parts)appears to be the only guy to have actually sourced out fasteners that are EXACTLY correct replacements for the ones BMW is using. They are identical to the ones used on the bike, except, of course, for the material they are made of. No cutting corners in his operation. He even packages the pieces in separate bags with instructions on where they go to simplify your installation.
I've been trying to coax him into making a kit for my Honda Hornet in Manila. I've been finding corroded fasteners in the wierdest places due to the humid climate we endure here. He won't make a kit unless he has a bike of the type in his shop to make a 'master kit' from.
One more thing; He has the cleverest business cards I've ever seen.
Brilliant!
Thumbs up!

Don Sproule

Mystic Red · Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 10:05 pm Post subject:

Jesus Don, long time, no post! Laughing

_________________
Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

Off the grid · Posted: Sat Oct 14, 2006 11:26 pm Post subject:

One of my ex-girlfriends was from Minalla.

If it's anything like she said you get huge kudos for riding in that county.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Don Sproule

Hi Guys,

I guess I've been laying a little low lately. Licking my wounds. Crashed my LT in Canada in August. Not sure yet if it's fixable, but it doesn't look good. My injuries (ribs and shoulder blade) have almost healed.
Kinda feel like an outsider, seeing as I'm riding a Honda and not a Kbike for now.
It does take a lot of nerve to ride here as the traffic and the way they drive is daunting, to say the least. Every time I head out of my village and onto the main drag, I get a tight feeling in my chest (I think it's called fear) which usually turns to exhilaration in short order. Frustrating and challenging, but never boring. I only wish I could think of some fresh swear words to scream (inside my helmet, of course). Strange what one will do to feel alive.
The 600 Hornet is a real blast. It's better suited to life on the streets here than the LT, but all I can carry is what I put in my tank bag. That's about all the room I have. I think the best bike for this country would be an F650 Dakkar. Something you can jump curbs with and take the sidewalks when necessary (frequently).
Someday I will figure out how to post photos here and try sharing my experiences.

Was your ex a Filipina?

Don Sproule