K11 Owners Group

jwetering · Joined: 24 Jul 2014 Posts: 10

I'm two days into ownership of a 1996 K11RS. It runs great after I replaced the plugs and wires. It barely ran before that. I changed the oil and filter as well but other than (and some brake work) I'm riding it and it feels great.

But - How much and what kind of engine noise is normal for this machine ? Mine makes a mechanical growling sound between 2500 and 3500. Compared to my K75s it all sounds a bit thrashy. It's too high frequency for a rod knock - plus which there's no noise at idle - and it's too low pitched for valve train or timing chain clatter. I haven't put a stethoscope on it yet - but I will.

The question for you guys is whether some noise is normal or should I be experiencing a sewing machine smooth sounding engine. Am I over thinking this?

Anyone in Vancouver want to meet up for a side by side comparison?

thanks
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1988 K75s (project)
1990 K75s (collector)
1996 K1100RS SE

jwetering · Joined: 24 Jul 2014 Posts: 10

Google being a freind of mine and all I found this on MOA:

"And of course there is the infamous anti-rattle-gear knock that large K engines (the K75 doesn't have it..) are prone to. This was a spring loaded secondary gear BMW put on the transfer gears between the crankshaft and the output shaft. Problem was - the spring goes bad with age/use/time, and then you not only have the gears knocking, you also have the secondary gear rattling around. Plus there is a cush-drive section in the K1### engines, with a riveted on gear - the drive part can go bad, and the rivets holding the gear on can start loosening up. Yours should be OK - it has the later model 12-rivet output shaft, but ya never know."

Apparently there's a damper on the alternator as well which deteriorates.

Guess the noise isn't unusual....

I can get to the alternator bushing in the winter but the transfer gear spring thing doesn't sound like it's worth the effort. Maybe if I really get to loving the thing, but we'll see.
_________________
1988 K75s (project)
1990 K75s (collector)
1996 K1100RS SE

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 12:11 am Post subject:

Comparing a K75 to a K1100 is like comparing a sewing machine to a jackhammer.

When I ride one of my K75s after riding one of my K1100s I often think they have died when I come to a stoplight. Then I look at the tach and see that they're still running.
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

jwetering · Joined: 24 Jul 2014 Posts: 10