K11 Owners Group

quaddawg

Hey guys,

I thought I would introduce myself.

I am Andrew Stanford, a 50 year old repair shop owner (Motorcycles, ATV's, Autos, Fabrication, etc..) from Cincinnati, Ohio. I am a big guy, over 6 foot, and over 350 pounds... I needed a bike that could handle the mass... lol.

I have been riding bikes since I was 12 years old, started on a Yamaha Mini Enduro, and have had a bike almost constantly ever since. I took a ride on the back of a neighbor's R60 when I was 11, and have wanted a BMW ever since. Strangely, until now, I have never owned one!

I cut my street bike teeth on a beat up Sportster, 30 some odd years ago, and since then, I have had quite a few Harleys, then I woke up and tried a Sabre, a Seca, an Eliminator, a V-Max, a Wing, and several others... Still no BMW, I just never had the money when I found one, or never found one I wanted when I had the money. Until now.

I sold an ATV that I had quit riding, and started looking for another mid eighties Goldwing, unable to find a Wing I liked in my price range, I looked at Ventures, Voyagers, ST1100's, Sabres, etc. Then I ran across this high mileage K1100LT Touring... All of a sudden I realized I could get a BMW! For a nice low price, I could find out if the Beemer and I was a good fit. I have owned several BMW autos, and my 17 year old son is a certified BMW nut, classic Bimmers.. He has had four cars, and every one of them an 80's BMW.. a nice little E21, then an E24, an E28 and currently a sweet little E30 he bought for a song, replaced a warped head and is fixing it up. Wow, I get sidetracked easily... ANYWAY....

I found this K, with over 100K miles on it. It seems like it was quite well maintained. It still looks like a much younger bike. I did research and found that it was possible for these engines to last to 200K, even though I might have to do a clutch, or tranny. For now, it does seem very solid though, so I thought, what the hey, for $2600, I'd take a chance, I mean, I DO have my own shop, so fixing anything that might come up won't be particularly expensive, since my labor is free (and enjoyable to me!)

I have read many posts on this site, and am soaking up all the info I can get my hands on! Any advice as to what might be the very first thing I verify is in good condition, let me know!

I only have ONE question at the moment, if no one cares to chime in here, I will search more, and then post in tech if needed.

Enough words, you guys like pics, right? Here is my new/old baby. So far I am thrilled with it. I have had it exactly 24 hours now... :0)

_________________
I am: Andrew Stanford
My shop, my passion:
www.stanfordmotorsports.com
Cincinnati, Ohio

1993 K1100lt touring
106K miles on the clock and rising

drikko · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:17 pm Post subject:

Your garage is bigger than my house!!! And tidier I might add..... Smile

Ask away!!
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

quaddawg · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:53 pm Post subject:

LOL, I got so sidetracked I forgot to ask.

Is the fuel pump normally noisy? I mean, it isn't LOUD, but I can hear it, hissing away anytime the bike is running. I can't really hear it while riding, but it is definitely audible at idle. EDIT, just did another search and found about a zillion answers to this question... lol

I now see that I am completely in the wrong sub-forum.. lol.. I didn't even think of introducing myself in "Campfire" and now I am asking tech questions... lol.

Yeah, my shop is 5000 square feet, and I have another 12,000 of outdoor fenced storage... I share the building with my partner who has several businesses, a couple of them occupying the other 5000 square feet of this building, office space and retail.

Since this is PICTURES, I will keep it kosher with this pic of a beauty we had in here for tech inspection last year Wink

, and one of my customer's Turbo Carrera that I get to test drive every service.. (rough job... lol)

_________________
I am: Andrew Stanford
My shop, my passion:
www.stanfordmotorsports.com
Cincinnati, Ohio

1993 K1100lt touring
106K miles on the clock and rising

Number 6 · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:07 pm Post subject:

#1 is check the exhaust at the junction of the 4 cylinders for any leak, you may not see it so try to feel it when you cold start it before it gets hot, if there is a leak don't ride it or you'll kill valves.
#2 check valve play and do a throttle sync

Fuel pump is noisy when fuel is low. Have fun with it, you can have several hundred thousands miles on it.
_________________
I am not a number, I am a free man.

94 K1100LT

drikko · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:14 pm Post subject:

Yes you can always here the fuel pump, and as above even more so when it starts to run out, ie not under te fuel.

That redish/brown ferrari is gorgeous..... Shocked

I used to have one of the 70's turbos like the white one, but getting married solved that little problem.....sigh.....
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

quaddawg · Posted: Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:43 pm Post subject:

I guess you mean the Ferrari? Very Happy

And thanks to #6, I planned on doing valve lash this week. I check the exhaust too!!
_________________
I am: Andrew Stanford
My shop, my passion:
www.stanfordmotorsports.com
Cincinnati, Ohio

1993 K1100lt touring
106K miles on the clock and rising

dave n · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:32 am Post subject:

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0536&mospid=51711&btnr=18_0280&hg=18&fg=51

Also check the rubber mounts holding up that heavy exhaust system - #12 & #14.
_________________
Dave Norris KOG 248
1999 Cagiva Gran Canyon
1993 K1100LT w/Hannigan sidecar
2008 Suzuki DR650

drikko · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 12:45 am Post subject:

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 6:56 am Post subject:

quaddawg,

WELCOME! That is a garage- great size.

K bike fuel pumps can become noisier as they age. The pump in my 20 y.o. K-RS became louder 2 years ago, at about 45,000 miles.

Some folks here have pulled theirs and soaked it in Seafoam. I bought a new one then cleaned the old one to have as a spare.

Hope you have many fun miles with your K bike.

John
_________________
John & Cathy

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

quaddawg · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:44 am Post subject:

quaddawg · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:46 am Post subject:

OK, here's another question. I see the two power points, the one by the ignition, and the other by the coils...

I have searched and searched, can't find it...

WHAT KIND OF CABLE PLUGS IN THERE!!! Surprised

)
_________________
I am: Andrew Stanford
My shop, my passion:
www.stanfordmotorsports.com
Cincinnati, Ohio

1993 K1100lt touring
106K miles on the clock and rising

drikko · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 7:54 am Post subject:

Hella or Merit plugs like this http://www.ebay.com/itm/MERIT-HELLA-POWER-PLUG-CARS-MOTORBIKES-BOATS-CARAVANS-/221063337400?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item337866d5b8

or

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DIN-Hella-Continental-16A-DC-Accessory-Power-PLUG-16-a-amp-Trucks-TRIUMPH-BMW-/170710336048?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item27bf210230

Easily found on fleabay or for a gazillion $ from BMW.

Also most auto parts places have them.
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 10:42 am Post subject:

To add to drikko's post,

http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Elec__Products/Powerlet/powerlet.html has them (on sale!) but will be discontinue selling them soon.

Jim Davis is Eastern Beaver and he is located in Japan. Very fast service and really good products. Many of us have his headlight relay on our bikes since the OEM wiring on K bikes is pretty thin gauge.
_________________
John & Cathy

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

quaddawg · Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 9:06 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the replies!

I just got back from my first decent little ride on it, about 100 miles, cool evening... just fantastic..

I get it... I'm bit. This won't be my last Beemer, OR my last K.

A few little rattles, and getting used to the sounds of the bike, hoping all I hear is normal... lol...

I do understand about thier long legs... boy oh boy this bike likes to run fast... Hard to keep it under 80 indicated!! My finishing stretch was a good 40 mile run of 80-90 indicated and she just loved it... Quiet, smooth, handles superbly.... yup, this might be the finest bike I've ever owned for highway running... can't wait to take a real ride!!

I think a bunch of us from the shop are going to head down to Deal's Gap, for a jaunt down the "Tail" Hope we can get this planned soon..

I'll make a post in the appropriate sub-forum if we get a trip planned, I'd love to meet up with some of you folks!
_________________
I am: Andrew Stanford
My shop, my passion:
www.stanfordmotorsports.com
Cincinnati, Ohio

1993 K1100lt touring
106K miles on the clock and rising

CerebralKnievel · Big Brick Rider Joined: 02 Jun 2012 Posts: 62

Just bought this usb charger for the MotoGp trip in october to keep the phone charged :

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/7225

drikko · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 2:55 am Post subject:

I just use a common garden cheap auto usb charger plugged into a second cigarette lighter plug under the seat, it's all taped up to keep dust and water out, the USB cable reaches either the tankbag or anywhere else needed.
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

quaddawg · Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2012 11:31 pm Post subject:

Did a little longer mini-trip today, over 200 miles, I am now satisfied that this K is solid and dependable.

We fractured a speed limit or two (riding with my buddy on his 08 wing) oh well..

This bike DEFINITELY needs an autobahn... it isn't happy until the indicated speed creeps north of 80...

Not sure if I like the Russell Daylong yet... of course it wasn't made for me, and I am quite large... still, no tailbone ache at all... so that's a plus...

Now to fashion some wind wings and get some cool air coming in!
_________________
I am: Andrew Stanford
My shop, my passion:
www.stanfordmotorsports.com
Cincinnati, Ohio

1993 K1100lt touring
106K miles on the clock and rising

Mystic Red · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 1:08 pm Post subject:

quaddawg · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 2:10 pm Post subject:

Jeeves · Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2012 2:07 am Post subject:

If you want it really fast you must get the gold wheels and final drive,ps the /5 i've been working on is finally on the road and will post pics soon!
_________________
K1100 RS 1993,the fast mystic red one with the burnished gold stuff
K 75 C 1986 black,naked and collector plate
R 75/5 1971 black naked and beautiful and under construction,,but getting closer by the day