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Steve L
Brick Rider
Joined: 08 Nov 2012
Posts: 42
Location: New Hampshire
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 Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 6:18 pm Post subject: New member |
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Hello from a new member of the BMW K11 owner's clubhouse!
I have been riding motorcycles all my life, but sold my last one several years ago when my children were young and I had no time to ride. For the last couple of years I've been looking around causally for just the right bike to get back on the road - comfortable for touring style riding, not too expensive, and hopefully not too old/abused. One lucky day this fall I found a perfect match! This 1996 K1100LT was at a local used bike dealer for a price that I could afford and justify.
As I looked it over, it seemed almost too good to be true. Still dead stock, super clean, and [get this] 6,418 miles on the odometer!! Its state inspection sticker was from 2004, so it needed a few things to bring it back to snuff - new battery, new tires, and fork seals. I negotiated with the dealer for the work at a decent price, waited patiently [which was not easy] and finally brought it home on October 31.
The amazing thing is that I was able to ride it several days in November, and even one day in December; amazing because I'm in NH!
I've been lurking here on the forum for a while, and learning quite a lot about my new bike. I finally got my stereo unlock code sorted out (no documentation came with the bike) with the help of my local dealership Max BMW, and a few other very minor things. Now I look forward to spring and warm weather.
I really enjoy this forum. All of the experienced and knowledgeable K owners offering help and advice, and the pictures of the road trips, have provided many hours of distraction as it snows outside, or temperatures hover below 20 F. I was amazed to see members posting from every corner of the globe.
Best regards, Steve L.
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SL
1996 K1100 LT |
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Jim
Site Admin
Joined: 17 May 2003
Posts: 3841
Location: WHERETHEFUNNEVERENDS
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| Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 6:37 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome, Steve - nice intro - thanks.
Hop on that K and ride down to HMSP with John (SugarHill) this May. With mileage that low, you have a lot of catching up to do...
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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." |
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SugarHillCTD
Site Admin
Joined: 10 Oct 2007
Posts: 4238
Location: Now in Eastern Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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Steven,
WELCOME!
Where are you located? I am just north of the Franconia Notch- Sugar Hill to be exact.
At the present time I have started winter maintenance on my BMW "fleet", but your LT looks good to go for the spring.
Good bunch here on this forum- lots to learn from long time K bike owners.
John
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John & Cathy
'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F. |
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jpberens1994K1100RS
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 06 Apr 2008
Posts: 784
Location: Hales Corners, WI. / Relocating to central FL.
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| Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2013 11:47 pm Post subject: welcome |
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Hey there.
NICE RIDE!!!!
Wow! What a score!!
Now ride the snot out of it.
Hope to see you at Hungry Mother.
This'll be me.
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1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge |
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John Clauss
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 04 Apr 2003
Posts: 732
Location: Robesonia, PA
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| Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 2:59 pm Post subject: |
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Great looking bike. You found a great score. Be patient, spring is coming!
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1997 K1100LT
1975 R75/6
It will bring you so close to nausea, it will make you sick! - Big Al |
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omarsbuddy
Mad Brick Rider
Joined: 02 Jan 2012
Posts: 110
Location: Columbus, OH
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| Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 7:26 am Post subject: |
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Welcome, Steve. Gorgeous bike! What a score!
Just wonderin' . . . what kinda tires did you put on it? I'm currently (still) shoppin'. 
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Scot
'95 K1100LT |
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Steve L
Brick Rider
Joined: 08 Nov 2012
Posts: 42
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 1:47 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the warm welcome, Gents.
@John, I am in the Exeter area.
@Jim, I may be able to make the HMSP in May. It sounds like a ton of fun!
@O'sbud, they're Dunlop K505's. Can't really review them yet. I've only got around 300 miles of very easy riding on them. I haven't even worn the outer red stripe off the tread yet!
One question: What is the red blinking light on my radio that's labeled LN supposed to mean?
Thanks again! Steve
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SL
1996 K1100 LT |
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drikko
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 20 Nov 2009
Posts: 1966
Location: Brisbane, OZ
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| Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 8:21 pm Post subject: |
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| Steve L wrote: | | One question: What is the red blinking light on my radio that's labeled LN supposed to mean? |
It means your Liquid Nitrogen cylinder needs to be refilled.
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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 |
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SugarHillCTD
Site Admin
Joined: 10 Oct 2007
Posts: 4238
Location: Now in Eastern Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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Uh,
Steven............ beware of the drikko. Extended exposure has been known to cause. . . . . . . . . . I don't remember.
Guess it works. 
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John & Cathy
'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F. |
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Steve L
Brick Rider
Joined: 08 Nov 2012
Posts: 42
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 9:00 pm Post subject: |
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Well, have to admit, I've been meaning to refill the liquid nitrogen - but I haven't had time since I've been spending too much time shoveling snow off my roof!
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SL
1996 K1100 LT |
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Jim
Site Admin
Joined: 17 May 2003
Posts: 3841
Location: WHERETHEFUNNEVERENDS
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| Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 9:59 pm Post subject: |
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Steve - the blinking red light is to warn anyone who is thinking of stealing your 17 year old BMW branded Clarion AM/FM cassette deck stereo that the radio will not work without a code... Just in case that aberrant thought crossed anyone's mind... LOL 
| Steve L wrote: | Thanks for the warm welcome, Gents.
One question: What is the red blinking light on my radio that's labeled LN supposed to mean?
Thanks again! Steve |
_________________
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." |
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Steve L
Brick Rider
Joined: 08 Nov 2012
Posts: 42
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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Ah, very good. I was afraid it might be German for "self destruct sequence initiated."
Another mystery solved! Thank you Jim.
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SL
1996 K1100 LT |
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Bell1st
Brick Rider
Joined: 20 Jul 2008
Posts: 32
Location: Hong Kong
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| Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 8:58 pm Post subject: |
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There's a very good independent BMW shop in Manchester for when you're looking for any work done. Affordable Beemer Services. Chris is a character and very knowledgable about our K bikes. He does good work at fair prices. He posts some very interesting maintenance tips on YouTube. I'm not affiliated, but wish I was close enough to still take my K to him when I don't have time to do my own work. Great score on that LT!
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Larry
'93 K1100RS "Franken Bike" ('90 K100 4V engine in a '93 frame) sold
'94 K1100LT
'68 BSA B25 Starfire |
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SugarHillCTD
Site Admin
Joined: 10 Oct 2007
Posts: 4238
Location: Now in Eastern Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 7:15 am Post subject: |
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| Bell1st wrote: | | There's a very good independent BMW shop in Manchester for when you're looking for any work done. Affordable Beemer Services. Chris is a character and very knowledgable about our K bikes. He does good work at fair prices. He posts some very interesting maintenance tips on YouTube. I'm not affiliated, but wish I was close enough to still take my K to him when I don't have time to do my own work. Great score on that LT! |
Chris does good work and provides some entertainment at the same time.
I would also highly recommend him. I bought my '93 K-RS through him.
http://www.affordablebeemerservices.com/
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John & Cathy
'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F. |
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Steve L
Brick Rider
Joined: 08 Nov 2012
Posts: 42
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:39 am Post subject: |
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That's great to know, thanks.
Right now the only thing on my list is that the windshield height mechanism isn't working and at some point I'd like to get it fixed. Maybe I'll talk to him about how much that might cost me.
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SL
1996 K1100 LT |
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SugarHillCTD
Site Admin
Joined: 10 Oct 2007
Posts: 4238
Location: Now in Eastern Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 11:56 am Post subject: |
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Get in touch with Scott_Anderson (one of the other moderators here)
IIRC, he has had the windshield mechanism apart on one or both of his LTs
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John & Cathy
'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F. |
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Sonu
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 15 Jan 2004
Posts: 400
Location: San Jose, CA
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| Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 2:52 pm Post subject: Re: New member |
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| Steve L wrote: | | Hello from a new member of the BMW K11 owner's clubhouse! |
Welcome Steve & that is a great purchase.
I got mine with approx 10K on the clock. 13 years later it is now up to 72K mi and knock on wood has never given me any trouble on the road. Being in CA I can do my short commute year round although it was a bit nippy this morning in the high 30's 
This group has been an amazing resource to help me keep the bike going and I cant thank them enough.
A couple things that do not get sufficient air time
1) The wheels are soft & easily bent so watch out for that
2) Fork seals are repeatedly destroyed unless you use fork boots. Do a search for Rancho boots. Plenty of threads here on this topic
3) Annual oil changes (yes 10K between oil changes is plenty). Mobil1 15W50 synthetic highly recommended once you've broken the bike in. It can take ~20K miles of HARD riding to break in the engine. Do *not* use synthetics in this time frame.
4) Run FAR higher air pressure than recommended in riders manual. I run 40/44 solo.
5) Handles like a pig at speeds below 5mph. Most dropped LT's are at parking lot speeds.
Sanjiv
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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
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Steve L
Brick Rider
Joined: 08 Nov 2012
Posts: 42
Location: New Hampshire
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| Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 5:20 pm Post subject: |
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Sanjiv, thanks for the heads up on those items - esp. the tire pressures. I'll take a look at mine the next time I'm out there fiddling around.
Best, Steve
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SL
1996 K1100 LT |
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Niemand
Mad Brick Rider
Joined: 29 Mar 2006
Posts: 108
Location: NC, USA
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| Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2013 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome, Steve. That is one fine looking LT you scored.
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Niemand
1994 K1100RS
2023 DR650SE |
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