Author Topic: Charlie goes German (again) UPDATE: An untimely end?  (Read 3618 times)

Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Charlie goes German (again) UPDATE: An untimely end?
« on: May 03, 2023, 04:17:30 PM »
Last Spring it was a '97 MZ Skorpion Tour, this year a 1993 BMW K75 that I bought from my friend Joe for $500. Lots of good stuff: Sargent seat, Works rear shock, heated grips, Parabellum Scout fairing, parts microfiche and viewer, extra filters, manuals (owner's, maintenance, Clymer). Why so cheap? He rebuilt the rear master cylinder and could never get the system to bleed out (non-ABS by the way). Plus, the engine wouldn't crank - key on, press starter button, nothing happened. Oh, and fuse #1 would blow as soon as the key was turned on. 177k miles.







I joined the "motobrick" forum and with the help of "Frankenduck" there, found that the fix was super simple. When Joe had the right footpeg plate off working on the master cylinder, he had pinched the brake light switch wires between it and the frame. A short resulted, fuse #1 blew, lots of important stuff received no power and it wouldn't crank. Fixed the switch wiring and now it starts and runs great!

The rear brake master cylinder is proving harder to fix. Even though the master cylinder has a new, genuine BMW rebuild kit in it, it refuses to pump. I had it apart to look for any defects and it seems the bore may actually be worn enough to allow leakage past the cup seals. No new master cylinders due to a BMW vs. Magura lawsuit. The motobrick guys adapt master cylinders meant for other brands, and this is what I'm now pursuing.

Other than that, there's some maintenance to catch up on, a cracked breather hose and 12 year old tires to replace. I hope to have it roadworthy by Memorial Day weekend.


« Last Edit: May 31, 2023, 06:49:08 PM by Antietam Classic Cycle »
Charlie

Offline lazlokovacs

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #1 on: May 03, 2023, 04:39:24 PM »
great stuff! the triples are the best of the bricks

Offline Tom H

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #2 on: May 03, 2023, 05:30:55 PM »
Nice! At 177k miles it's just broken in, at least for an airhead.

Tom
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Online steven c

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2023, 05:39:32 PM »
Great bikes. I had a K75S really enjoyed it. Good luck with the brakes.
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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2023, 05:39:32 PM »

Online sdcr

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2023, 05:47:09 PM »
Nice one Charlie.
Very nice shade of blue. and you are better off without ABS. The pumps usually go tits up eventually.
That is a very smooth engine.
« Last Edit: May 04, 2023, 07:10:02 AM by sdcr »
John
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Offline ohiorider

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2023, 06:09:22 PM »
My first Beemers were (1) a 1985 K100RS, purchased as leftover in 1986, and (b) a 1988 K75S purchased in spring of 1988.

Although the K75 was far smoother, I decided to keep the K100RS, and sold the K75.  Put 10k on the K75 and 65k on the K100RS.  Went thru a bunch more K bikes over the years.

I often wished BMW had stuck with the 3 cylinder into the 1000cc bikes.

Bob
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Offline Scout63

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #6 on: May 03, 2023, 09:36:06 PM »
I had a K75 very briefly. Beautiful black machine.  Ran when parked.  I had to replace the fuel pump and injectors but didn’t seat one fully. I got two miles and it caught fire and burned up at a stop light. Now I carry a portable fire extinguisher in my back pack. You’ll get it sorted Charlie. I’d love to hear a full review.
Ben Zehnder - Orleans, MA USA

Online jhem68

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #7 on: May 03, 2023, 10:46:32 PM »
My last BMW was a K75s and it was probably the most under rated of the BMW line up. For those of us of modest stature it felt a little chunky and slightly top heavy with a full tank of gas which disappeared as soon as it was moving. But it was smooth, solid, very reliable, and great bike to own.
Most owners went on to the k100/k1100 series in a quest for more excitement but not me. After I sold my K1100LT to a friend, I purchased my used K75 which I found to be a better balance.

I hope you enjoy yours as much as I did mine.

Online John A

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #8 on: May 03, 2023, 11:09:02 PM »
I had a K75 very briefly. Beautiful black machine.  Ran when parked.  I had to replace the fuel pump and injectors but didn’t seat one fully. I got two miles and it caught fire and burned up at a stop light. Now I carry a portable fire extinguisher in my back pack. You’ll get it sorted Charlie. I’d love to hear a full review.




Tell me about the portable fire extinguisher, please. I’ve gotten used to having one around, the one I use on the bike is tall aerosol can I got at the welding store and I’m looking for one a little smaller.
John
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Offline s1120

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #9 on: May 04, 2023, 05:47:41 AM »
The K75 is such a jewel of a motorbike. Engine has nowhere near the soul as our Guzzis do, but the whole package is just a perfect balance. K75S is still one of the best looking bikes as far as im concerned. Id buy one in a second.
Paul B

Offline mechanicsavant

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2023, 07:25:31 AM »
Ahh , the right foot plate issue . I ran into that a few times . Once with my bike & a few times with others . The micro switch never failed in the lab , the real world is something else !

Offline HarveyMushman

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #11 on: May 04, 2023, 08:52:57 AM »
Nice find and project. What are the washers on the tank for?
Tim

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #12 on: May 04, 2023, 09:14:30 AM »
Nice find and project. What are the washers on the tank for?

Magnetic tank bag because the tank is Aluminium?

Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #13 on: May 04, 2023, 09:43:05 AM »
Nice find and project. What are the washers on the tank for?
Magnetic tank bag because the tank is Aluminium?

Exactly. Thankfully the previous owner used a low-strength glue and they popped right off with a plastic wedge, no damage to the paint. I also removed about a half-dozen decals.
Charlie

Offline bigbikerrick

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #14 on: May 04, 2023, 10:22:58 AM »
Nice looking bike, Charlie. I like the blue color. I have always liked the "bricks". It sounds like you are having fun sorting a bike thats a bit different , than what you normally work on.
good luck with the brakes,
Rick D.
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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #15 on: May 04, 2023, 10:52:03 AM »

      Smokin' deal Charlie!! Welcome to the club  :thumb:
     


    Mine since new in '87. Best 6 grand I've ever spent.

     Paul B :boozing:
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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #16 on: May 04, 2023, 11:10:19 AM »
      Smokin' deal Charlie!! Welcome to the club  :thumb:
     


    Mine since new in '87. Best 6 grand I've ever spent.

     Paul B :boozing:

Gotta agree with those who say the K75S is one of the best looking bikes ever! Had a red (1988?) and wish I hadn't sold it....

Offline ohiorider

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #17 on: May 04, 2023, 11:58:29 AM »
I think I posted this pic of my 1st BMW to WG years ago.  Here she is, one more time.  Photo was taken near or on "Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon," I believe, sometime between 1986 - 1988.  Pic quality is poor, since it had been taken using a Kodak Disc Camera which stayed hidden away in an old tank bag for years before being developed.





Bob

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Offline Huzo

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #18 on: May 04, 2023, 04:07:48 PM »
I never really paid them much heed, but that looks nicely balanced visually and looks like it would be a fabulous appliance.
It has that “Buy it, wash it, fuel and oil it, then ride it forever” look. If that fairing is properly mounted, it would no doubt be great.
Reminds me of my old GT 750 from the 70’s.


Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #19 on: May 05, 2023, 09:53:56 AM »
Rear master cylinder "fun". Decided to try and fix the original master cylinder. Previous owner had already put a rebuild kit in it, but it still wouldn't build pressure or bleed out. Bore was clean and pit free, large hole open, but small hole plugged totally closed. The top fitting is plastic and I don't think Magura meant for it to ever be removed. It had to be though - no other way to clean out the gunk and open the small hole. Pretty much destroyed it in the process. Had to use a tiny drill bit (.032") to open the hole. I plan to machine an alloy top fitting with o-ring seal. At least it now bench bleeds.







Plan B is to use a new Yamaha XT660 rear master cylinder, that I bought on ebay for $16. Bolt hole spacing is very close, push rod will need modification, a new hose will be required.


« Last Edit: May 05, 2023, 10:00:08 AM by Antietam Classic Cycle »
Charlie

Offline Stretch

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #20 on: May 05, 2023, 09:08:47 PM »
I've had a K75S for a couple of years now.
It's a very, very competent motorbike, and not
too bad to work on. Handles well, brakes are good if
not spectacular, handling is very good at high speed,
it's very stable at high speed, fuel economy is decent,
it's reasonably comfortable, and the engine is beautifully
smooth and torquey, although not the most powerful in class.

My machine has had the dreaded starter-stays-on-problem
twice.
I THINK I've got it sorted now - touch wood!  :grin:
That said, the electrics are more complicated than need
be.

Maintenance items are pretty inexpensive if one doesn't buy
the BMW stuff. ($27 for a BMW oil filter, anyone?!)

Nice score - even at 177K, there's lots more life left in the old girl.  :grin:

                                                          -Stretch
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Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #21 on: May 05, 2023, 09:28:56 PM »
Rolled it outside for some photos in the sunshine (finally!) today. No right-side footpeg holder installed as I'm still working on the master cylinder.













Charlie

Offline Moparnut72

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #22 on: May 06, 2023, 08:45:24 AM »
Did someone say say BMW over complicated things? Check out the throttle setup on the handlebars of an early Airhead. A combination of a chain, bevel gears and whatnot.
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Offline mhershon

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #23 on: May 06, 2023, 12:34:23 PM »
Charlie, I had a '91 S-model and loved riding it. The fan blades would spin off the shaft and hole the back of the radiator. Happened three times. Eventually BMW replaced the fan and motor and the radiator for me but I was pretty disillusioned at that point and sold the bike. The transmission input shaft is a weak point, I believe, and must be lubed. If it fails, it's an expensive or laborious repair. And my original rear shock's adjuster ring would warp rather than turn around the shock body to tension the spring. I bought an aftermarket shock. Otherwise, I thought it was a great bike.

Offline Shorty

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #24 on: May 06, 2023, 09:31:59 PM »
Nice! If you find the seat height a bother, they did make a low seat option consisting of the lowered seat and a rubber trim cover to fill the gap. Both available usually on EBAY.  My K75 came new with a little electronic chip in the tool kit. it was designed to recalibrate the fuel injection if you ever take it to high altitude. I never bothered with mine.

file photo low seat K75:   
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Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #25 on: May 06, 2023, 09:51:32 PM »
Nice! If you find the seat height a bother, they did make a low seat option consisting of the lowered seat and a rubber trim cover to fill the gap. Both available usually on EBAY.  My K75 came new with a little electronic chip in the tool kit. it was designed to recalibrate the fuel injection if you ever take it to high altitude. I never bothered with mine.

file photo low seat K75:   

I am on tip toes and would like it a bit lower. Shock preload is dialed up for two up and if I can figure out how to adjust preload on a Works shock, that may help. The Sargent seat could be a little narrower as well - might have my upholstery guy trim a little off each side.

I have that little cylindrical chip thing, the previous owner wasn't sure what it did, now I know. Thanks!
« Last Edit: May 07, 2023, 08:25:06 AM by Antietam Classic Cycle »
Charlie

Offline guzziart

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #26 on: May 07, 2023, 06:34:44 AM »
Charlie,
Nice Beemer, I like the color and the bags!
Art
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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #27 on: May 07, 2023, 09:32:24 AM »

 Charlie,  The red bike pictured is the "C" model made for shorter legged riders. BMW also made a "Solo" seat for the standard k75's. It's about 2 inches lower and was designed for more spirited riding without a passenger. I don't know if the C model seat fits the standard K bike .



  Looks like this.....

    Paul B :boozing:
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Offline Pescatore

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #28 on: May 08, 2023, 07:27:10 AM »
Exactly. Thankfully the previous owner used a low-strength glue and they popped right off with a plastic wedge, no damage to the paint. I also removed about a half-dozen decals.

Great shape for a 30 year young bike.
How did you remove the stickers?  Heat gun?
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Online Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Charlie goes German (again)
« Reply #29 on: May 08, 2023, 08:42:27 AM »
Charlie,  The red bike pictured is the "C" model made for shorter legged riders. BMW also made a "Solo" seat for the standard k75's. It's about 2 inches lower and was designed for more spirited riding without a passenger. I don't know if the C model seat fits the standard K bike .




That solo seat might be a good one for me. Thanks.

Great shape for a 30 year young bike.
How did you remove the stickers?  Heat gun?

Yes, heat gun on the low setting. WD40 removed some of the sticky residue, denatured alcohol on the more tenacious stuff.
Charlie

 

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