K11 Owners Group

CSampson · Joined: 03 Sep 2014 Posts: 2 Location: Bloomington, Indiana

Long time lurker, first time poster,

I've been getting all my information for maintenance and repair from this website and now I need actual help. Here's a quick backstory.

I bought my first K bike this past June after graduating from college. My graduation present from my parents was to go on a ten day ride from Indianapolis through Ohio and West Virginia to the Blue Ridge Parkway followed up by the tail of the dragon and then back home through Tennessee and Kentucky. The trip already started off shaky as we stayed in Ohio for 3 days at a camper with my aunt and uncle as we waited for Tuesday morning to get my fork seals replaced in Pittsburgh. We were gonna have to cut the majority of the trip short to make it back before labor day. We made it to route 33 in West Virginia where we both took a turn too fast. My dad made it through without any real problems, but i went off the shoulder a foot and hit gravel. After that it was an ambulance ride to Petersburg for an evaluation and my bike got towed to a garage.

The bike went down and took most of the force to its right side at the fairing, but the rear shows damage as well. I have taken off the fairing, the tank, and the back side of the bike to get a better look for damage.

I am wondering if anyone can give me some ideas of what to look at and a place to start to get my bike running again. Here are some pictures of what I think are the problem points as well as where the damage was done to give you an idea of where the problems might be.

This picture shows leaking oil from the final drive

This picture is to show a large part of the impact was at the fairing against the tank.

This image is to show the kink in the boot of the final drive that has me worried.

It starts up fine, but when I give it any throttle there is a grinding sound that comes from the clutch area.

I am not technically savvy when it comes to motorcycles and mechanics, I graduated with a business degree, but I love them enough that I want to get my hands dirty and teach myself how to, I just don't know where to start. If anyone can give me an idea of what I should look at and whether I can do it myself I would really appreciate any and all advice.

Thanks
Cory
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1995 K1100LT

552255 · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 7:09 pm Post subject:

It appears to be cosmetic damages, if you didn't hit anything with the front end, hopefully your frame isn't bent. To check, search online for the string method of checking frame/wheel alignment. If your alignment is good, then any other parts can be replaced...ebay is your friend, many parts found there. Examine the frame for any cracks in the weld areas...

Fairings can be touched up/painted etc. filled in with compound etc.

Check rubber bits on top of engine, hoses, etc. if its not running well...you could have cracked a vacuum hose, fuel line etc. Electrical will be your next place to look...
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1997 K1100LT-SE
1996 K1100RS-SE
"Black & Silver Duo"
Lincoln, NE

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 7:36 pm Post subject:

On the top of the final drive is a vent. If the bike sat for an extended period of time on it's side waiting for the tow truck, then you would have some gear fluid leak from the top vent.

Dry it off/degrease it. Check for any side/side play of the rear tire where it bolts to the final drive.

Welcome..
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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)

Flying Duck · Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2014 9:07 pm Post subject:

The clutch noises would worry me in that perhaps the frame/bellhousing got tweaked so that the drive train might be out of alignment. (This is an Internet diagnosis so take it for what it's worth.)

I don't see any kink in your final drive boot.

Your speedo sensor is loose. Push down on the front of it while tightening the bolt at the back.

Take the main fairing bracket off and place it forward down on a flat surface to see if it's tweaked. Also check the welds at the base of it for cracks.

JMHO but if I did that to my K1100LT I'd part it out (what I did after taking my K75RT into a ditch) or sell it as a parts bike and get another non-crashed one. there's plenty of them out there and if you're patient you can find a nice one for a decent price.
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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)
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Don Sproule · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 12:20 am Post subject:

Don't know what to say about your grinding sound.
I can't see how that kind of drop could put anything much out of alignment in the power train.
The only other things I noticed are the missing front peg and your bottom shock mounting nut is very loose. That may have contributed to poor handling condition.
It wouldn't likely take much to put it back into riding condition, if the frame and fairing mounts are still straight.

Don

old guy old bike · Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2014 12:19 pm Post subject:

I wonder of the noise might just be the monkey nuts? Alternator could have taken a thump. I know when mine went away the sound was horrid and it started like I just switched a switch, just that fast, no warning.
Jeff
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1993 K1100LT
2003 K1200GT Gone but not forgotten
2014 Victory Crossraods

CSampson · Joined: 03 Sep 2014 Posts: 2 Location: Bloomington, Indiana

Thanks for the thoughts and ideas. I will check into the points mentioned and will try to identify any major problems. I would like to get it running again since it was my daily rider to work and into town and my car has 208k miles on it. Parting out and praying my car lasts another year is also an option at this point.

Cory
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1995 K1100LT