K11 Owners Group

molerat · Posted: Mon May 14, 2012 11:47 pm Post subject: New K1100LT owner

Hi all,

First post , but have been lurking about for some time for research on what bike to buy like what to look for and what not.....So...based on all that I have read I found a bike and bought it.A 95 K1100LT, 18K miles(yes you read that right).
Now that the bike is mine I have a few questions concerning my first BMW bike , and was hoping this forum could help with the obligatory buyers remorse of used vehicles.

I changed the oil immediately and after a couple of rides, the oil turned black in the site glass. Is this normal for new oil? No leaks anywhere on the bike. Should I flush it?

The tachometer works intermittently( not a big deal), there is a small crack in the plastic about 1 inch but does not look like it goes all the way through to the inside. it's as if it needs to warm up.

A strange shifting issue that did not occur on the test drive. Once in awhile the gear select digital display will go blank, usually in the lower gears when downshifting.

I plan on changing all the other fluids soon.

So, any advice, comments, questions, critiques are appreciated..

Thanks in advance,

Brian

Number 6 · Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 12:30 am Post subject:

Congrats.

My bike does not even have your mileage and it is a 1994 Razz

I would not bother with the oil, mine is supposed to be new and quite dark too. On old bikes, the glass turns brown so you don't know how much the oil vs glass is dark.
If your counter has a crack it may have moisture inside. You can find a used one and change what is necessary, or just swap them (you can change the mileage to yours if you want) that may also be related to your gear indicator, but it could also be the sensor, especially if it is related to a gear change. When it is blank, are you in gear anyway?
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I am not a number, I am a free man.

94 K1100LT

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 5:34 am Post subject:

Brian,

WELCOME.

Read some posts here and you will find that K11 bikes each have their own personality. But as a whole, you can't kill them if you try!

Best of luck with yours.

BTW, when you get a chance put the year/model of your bike in your signature- it will help with future tech questions.

John
_________________
John & Cathy

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

sccommuter · Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 8:58 am Post subject:

First of all- Welcome to the group.
A lot of great info and advice here. There is always some residual oil in the engine and will darken the oil quickly. Not a problem, it makes it easier to see in the site glass.
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1995 K1100 LT
Illegitimi non Carborundum

molerat · Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 9:22 am Post subject:

Thanks for the replies and advice, that's good news to know it's a bike hard to break.
Another question

I rode yesterday and the 2 ABS lights stayed on the whole time, only 6 miles. then on the way home they did not come on, other than on self check after start up.

Gremlins?
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Brian

1995 K1100 LT
1952 HRD Vincent Black Shadow, Series C

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 9:52 am Post subject:

These ABS systems are very sensitive to batteries that might be older and/or have lower voltage due to not being charged frequently.

Just noticed that you have a Vincent. WOW.
_________________
John & Cathy

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

Tiff · Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 12:19 pm Post subject:

I've found if I'm too quick at pressing the start button after switching on the ignition, the ABS lights will stay on, and if I leave it maybe 5-10 seconds it will go off every time. Good idea to switch lights and grips etc. off before starting too.

Finn · Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 1:01 pm Post subject: Re: New K1100LT owner

sccommuter · Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 7:07 pm Post subject:

Occasionally my ABS lights will stay on. I just pull off the road at the first safe place and kill the engine. When I start it back up lights go out. Question

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1995 K1100 LT
Illegitimi non Carborundum

Inge K. · Posted: Tue May 15, 2012 7:21 pm Post subject:

sccommuter · Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 10:00 am Post subject:

probably, don't know the age of the battery.
_________________
1995 K1100 LT
Illegitimi non Carborundum

molerat · Posted: Wed May 16, 2012 12:24 pm Post subject:

Thanks everyone, I was hoping not to have any issues.
_________________
Brian

1995 K1100 LT
1952 HRD Vincent Black Shadow, Series C

molerat · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 12:14 am Post subject:

Well after a couple of weeks and several short adventures on the new toy, I finally changed the gearbox and final drive oil, pretty sure I put in much more than was in there. I also changed the coolant. The overflow reservoir was black as if there may have been oil in it so I was a bit concerned. After a test drive and topping off the radiator, the overflow is still the right color, hope it stays that way. The shifting seems to be a bit quieter and smoother, don't have to push as hard on the shift lever as before.

After a lot of searches here and other boards, I want to thank everyone for their input on everything. I found all the answers without having to post a new thread, it came close though, had issues with how to change the coolant but found my answers finally.

I hope I can contribute in some fashion sometime.

Any suggestions on what else I may need to do after the purchase of a new to me bike would be appreciated.

Sorry for the rambling!!!!
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Brian

1995 K1100 LT
1952 HRD Vincent Black Shadow, Series C

buckles · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 3:26 am Post subject:

I am new to this also and I have learned a great deal in the last 6 months.

Just reading your last post, did you make sure the oils levels in the gearbox and FD are now at the correct level and not over full? I understand it is quite important. There should be a gearbox oil level gauge in your tool roll.
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Ian, owner of:-
1999 K1100 LT

carp · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 10:15 am Post subject:

If you get a new battery, get a good one. I really like my Odyssey battery, its lighter and has more cold cranking power. K bikes + weak old batteries can cause the starter relay to stick, which is really, really annoying. My K75 did that anyway. Starter relay's are around $75. Its cheaper to get the battery as soon as it starts to fail.
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93 K1100LT
07 Bandit 1250S

molerat · Posted: Fri May 25, 2012 6:07 pm Post subject:

Inge K. · Posted: Sat May 26, 2012 5:41 am Post subject:

molerat · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 1:27 am Post subject:

blue95lt · Posted: Wed May 30, 2012 10:30 pm Post subject: Odyssey batts.

Just a heads up on those batteries, .the terminals are on the top, not like a
Say wesco or such.I cut out an old car floor mat,and a piece of wood,like thin now day wood floor wood ( it's less than 1/4 in. Thick) so the motronic plate don't short out on it. But I do like the pc680 batt. Jm2cw.Keith.
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1995 k1100lt daily ride(22953)when I got it
1982 cb650sc blue nighthawk (38000)(crashed)
1974 kz400(sold to get nighthawk)