K11 Owners Group

ken

I have a 1997 K1100LT. 116,000 miles, and uses oil. I have been waiting to worry about the engine until the clutch was due.

I figure that I am going to do a pretty big deal here over the winter. It seems that once I was to the clutch it wouldn't be much more work to pull the engine out? Repair the oil leak/consumption issue.

Does anyone know an approximate cost for a rebuilt 1100?

Anyone have a wrecked bike that has less miles and wants to sell the engine in a package that is easily changeable?

Throw it away and start looking for another one?

A nice one here is about $4000 - $5000.
_________________
Ken in Denver

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:23 pm Post subject:

How much oil is it using? These bike can very commonly use up to 1qt per 1000 miles.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

ken · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:43 pm Post subject: 1 Qt every 1000 miles!!!!

That is good news I guess. That is about what it consumes.

No engine needed....just a clutch, and go through the splines thing!!!! Yea!!!!! Maybe all I need is a few days of work, some grease and we are back to riding!!!

I know to watch the oil, so adding isn't a problem, I just thought it was a lot.

Thanks!!!!
_________________
Ken in Denver

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 4:46 pm Post subject:

Like what Scott said (and what I am experiencing) these engines can burn some oil. In hot weather I can use a quart in as little as 600-700 miles.

IMHO,before you contemplate a complete teardown or replacement, have compression and leakdown tests done.Then you can let those results guide you. That is my plan this winter.
Good luck.
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Phil Marvin · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 5:28 pm Post subject:

Hi, Ken,
I've seen K1100 engines for a few hundred dollars, many times including bellhousing, clutch and all the injection bits. Compare that to individual parts cost. As an example, it is very common in rebuilding an engine, to replace pistons and rings. According to Max's parts fiche, a set of rings (one set, and you'll need 4 sets) is $55. ONE piston, complete with rings, piston pin and clips, is between $208 and $254, depending on build date and piston size. Valves (there are 16 of them) are over $100 each. If I had a K1100 needing serious engine work, no question, I'd find a different engine.
_________________
Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

ken · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 6:19 pm Post subject: Craigslist

Thanks everyone. I guess I will start watching Craigslist. I am expecting to do it over the winter, so in a few weeks when things slow down for the winter, I will do a compression test. I am sure the rings are shot....BUT....I prefer to ride than spend money on it, and it gets me where I am going. I will see what I need to do to find a compression tester.

A clutch and spline lube would fix what is weak....then I could just add oil and it may just run for another 2 or 3 years. It runs the mountains at 80mph over the passes if no ones around, so it isn't like it doesn't work.

Only smokes after setting for a few weeks, and more often it has been on the kickstand if it is smoking.

Meanwhile, I will shop for an engine, because at a couple hundred bucks....for low miles, I would just change it anyway.

I hate it when it is broken.
_________________
Ken in Denver

Jim · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 7:01 pm Post subject: Re: Craigslist

ken

It really probably is LESS than a quart every 1000 miles, but I thought that was a lot. Haven't hung out in here enough I guess. Wink

You guys are the greatest.
_________________
Ken in Denver

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 7:51 pm Post subject:

Ken, I have a '95 with 65K + and a '97 with less than 40K and they both use oil up to 1qt per 1000 miles or less in the summer.

They use more oil the more I park on the side stand than if I park on the center stand. It just has to do with the physical lean of the bike with the head on the "downhill" side to collect oil from the piston walls when it's off.

The newer 16v K engines have been improved over the older 8v engines in the regards of oil seepage past the rings when on the side stand.

I tried synthetic oil for a couple of oil changes and the consumption actually increased so I went back to regular dino oil.
_________________
Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2009 8:20 pm Post subject: Re: Craigslist

Sonu · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2009 12:14 am Post subject:

Ken,

I would not change the engine based on oil consumption (No different than what the others said).

I've seen these bikes with over 200K on the original engine. These engines are truly bullet proof. And the rest of the bike is well.... pennies to maintain (inside joke, hang around here longer and you'll get it).

Spline lube is a good idea and it may well be your last spline lube. You have the close-out year for this bike and spline failures were far more common in earlier model years.

Enjoy the ride!

Sanjiv
_________________
1997 K1100LT "Ziggy" _GarminGPS_Corbin saddle_K Guards _Hyperlights_Fog lights_Eastern Beaver Relays_Cee Bailey_4"speakers_Michelin PR4's_MoS2_Spiegler lines_TPMS_VDO