Charlie goes German (again) UPDATE: An untimely end?

[RinkRat II]

   
    Might be what you're looking for.  No preload adjustment unless it's the parabellum

    Paul B

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

   
    Might be what you're looking for.  No preload adjustment unless it's the parabellum

That was exactly what I needed - thanks! Looks like mine is already at the softest setting.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Adapting an ebay Yamaha TT600 master cylinder the K75: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjACPbw

Tires just arrived. Waiting on the brake fitting. Will be registered on Thursday, riding by the weekend. 

[moto-uno]

  This entire post puts a smile on my face . I worked on these when they were new . They ( the 3 cylinder) were definitely my favourite
Of the brick engined ones . Peter

[Moparnut72]

I rode an early 1000 once that belonged to a friend. It was a bit buzzy but at 80+ was smooth a silk. I really liked the bike.
kk

[ohiorider]

Charlie, love to read your ride report once you get her on the road.  I had a "K bike addiction" from the mid-1980s into the 2000's.

Just located this jpg slide from a few years ago.

Bob

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Charlie, love to read your ride report once you get her on the road.  I had a "K bike addiction" from the mid-1980s into the 2000's.

Just located this jpg slide from a few years ago.

Bob

It's been roadworthy since Wednesday, I posted these on my Facebook page:

From Thursday evening:
First ride on my BMW K75 this evening! I was just going to do a short one, but it was running so well I decided to keep going and ended up riding 60 miles.

First impressions: it's smooth - just the slightest vibration in the footpegs at certain engine speeds. Seems very comfortable - two hours and no complaints. Handles well, I wasn't pushing it hard with fresh tires though. Very stable at all speeds. Very torquey - pulls from 1500 rpm in 5th gear with ease, shifting is almost unnecessary once rolling. When revved through the gears it gets to "go straight to jail" speeds with ease. Front forks work well, rear shock is lacking in rebound damping - I could feel it topping out quite a bit. Front brakes are very good, rear brake doesn't do much - still needs work. It sounds better than expected - I figured I'd hear mostly whirring noises, but there's a nice, deep, three cylinder growl that is more dominant. At some speeds it has a little VW TDi sound. Fuel economy - either Joe had the tank filled completely to the top (edit: he did), or this thing gets very good mileage. I stopped in Shepherdstown to top up with fresh gas (gas in it is a year old, with stabilizer in it) and couldn't even get a gallon in.

Still quite a few items on my "to do" list but the first ride is very encouraging. 😊

From yesterday:
Late yesterday I was scurrying around trying to check off a few things on the k75's "to do" list so that I could ride it today. Oil change - check. Adjust clutch freeplay - check. Find out why the front tire is losing 15 psi overnight - check. Should have replaced the valve stems when I changed the tires. In my defense, this is only the second bike I've had that doesn't have tubes. Tighten muffler clamp bolt -check.

Left just before 10 am. Still a little cool, so I put the liner in my jacket. Headed west - wanted to see how the BMW did on the "slab" so took I-70 and I-68. Revs higher at 70 than I expected (5k rpms) but doesn't seem to mind. Had lunch in Keyser, WV, headed out to Blackwater Falls State Park. Took the long way home through Canaan Valley, Seneca Rocks, Petersburg, Moorefield, etc. 331 miles.

Found out a few things: the windscreen is too low - it's been cut lower and I wish that it hadn't been. My left hand was getting a horrible sharp pain in it until I removed the "Grip Puppies" (foam covers that go over grips to make them softer and larger). No more pain afterwards. The Sargent seat is all day comfortable. The lean forward is a little too much, but rotating the handlebars rearward slightly should help. The fuel light starts coming on at ~ 185 miles. I filled up at 200 miles in Seneca Rocks and could barely get 3 gallons in it! That's almost 67 mpg! I need to run a few more tanks through it to see what my average is, but that's pretty phenomenal. 27 mpg better than my Convert. Not only that, but the BMW uses Regular 87 and the Guzzi likes Premium, so there's even more savings.

I think with a few changes to suit me, the K75 will be my choice for longer distance rides from now on. 🙂

I ordered a new YSS rear shock for it, should arrive on Wednesday. New rear brake hose is ordered as well.

[ohiorider]

Thanks for the review, Charlie

Bob

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Yesterday around noon I headed south the Marlinton, WV for the night. Stopped by to visit with friends at the Cass BMW Rally on the way.
Had an enjoyable evening talking with other guests at the Old Clark Inn. Things quickly went "udders skyward" this morning though.

Just after 10:30 this morning as I was headed north out of Marlinton, a woman in a Ford Focus turned left right in front of me. No time to react
- 40+ mph impact (I was just under the posted limit of 40 and she of course was moving around 10). Next thing I know I'm on my back looking
up at the sky wondering if I was dead. Fortunately, I wasn't. I fear the BMW is though. Front forks are bent, fork brace cracked, lots of other stuff
busted and broken. Frame is likely bent.  I was just starting to bond with it.

Everyone at the DQ where it happened came to my assistance, State Police and ambulance came within 5 minutes. Everyone was super nice and helpful.
Nothing broken, but left kneecap and big toe don't look too pretty. Right hand hurts - likely sprained. Apparently I did my best Superman imitation and
flew over the hood. Head never hit the ground. Jacket has minors scuffs, Kevlar jeans just dirty. Boots and gloves did their job.

Wrecker came and hauled me and the bike down to a U-Haul place 5 miles south where I rented a truck. Everyone went out of their way to help. 6 brutal
hours later I'm finally home. May need to go to Urgent Care to make sure toe and/or foot isn't broken. 🙁








"Air Ride Suspension." Must have been set to full hard. 39 over to Warm Springs, VA and 220 to Petersburg, WV hammered my already aching body.

[Tom H]

I'm soo sorry to hear this! I do hope you are completely fine! Sorry to hear about the bike, maybe it's fixable. Glad so far that your OK!

Been reading about too many wrecks lately.

Good health,
Tom

[cliffrod]

Wow, man- glad you’re ok, Charlie. Your healing & recovery will be on my mind.  Take care.

[moto]

So glad that you seem to have escaped with minor bodily damage. I hope you heal quickly.

[Shorty]

Get well soon.

[EldoEVert]

Charlie, I'm glad you made it through with hopefully minor injuries. You best get checked out as soon as possible.
I can tell you that a foot injury is nothing to fool around about. I broke mine over 2 years ago and it's still not right.
I certainly hope that they charged the lady.

[guzzisteve]

Sorry to hear this Charlie. Could have been worse, much worse. get well and stay off those BMWs. I'm not a fan of them. At least it saved your Guzzi's from the wreck. Your going to feel all that stuff when you get older.

[Turin]

Glad your okay.

[s1120]

So sorry to hear that. I hope your heal up fast.

[balvenie]

That's terrible luck mate. And you have been to all that trouble working on it. Hope you heal good and proper

[chuck peterson]

$h1#%!

Good to hear your alright..

[kballowe]

Prayers for a speedy recovery.

 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Sorry Charlie. At least the sausage creature came out (mostly) undamaged..

[john fish]

Damn.  Sorry to hear that.  Go get a couple X-rays just to make sure you're OK.

[Stretch]

Oh, No!

I'm glad you're okay - too bad about the bike. It sounds as if it
was a keeper for sure.

Out and about yesterday in 90 F heat for about 220 miles
on both the KLR and the big Guzzi 1400.

No close calls - although I DID anticipate the Mini making a
left turn out of the Coop down in Belfast.

                                         -Stretch

[Dave Swanson]

I'm glad to hear that you are mostly OK.  Hopefully she will pay more attention in the future.  Did it set her airbags off? 

How sore are you today?

[Pescatore]

What a bummer.   
Seems the perfect case of drivers looking but not "seeing"
Maybe the fork brace saved the frame.
I hope you're OK.

[czakky82]

Dang! Glad that it wasn’t worse. Here’s to a speedy recovery.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I'm glad to hear that you are mostly OK.  Hopefully she will pay more attention in the future.  Did it set her airbags off? 

How sore are you today?

I don't think the airbags deployed, maybe because the BMW glanced off her front end vs. a direct head-on hit.

Already feeling a bit better - right hand is 80% functional, only the thumb is sore. No new aches and pains. Still need to go to Urgent Care a.s.a.p. for my left foot.

[John A]

Sorry to hear about that, I’m sure glad you weren’t badly hurt. At least it wasn’t a Guzzi!

[jrt]

Same here-  glad you are ok, Charlie.  Take care!

[JBU]

So sorry to hear of the accident.  Thankfully you were able to walk away.  Hoping for a fast and easy recovery.