Scud

oK - a pair of K75GS conversions at the bottom of that link. The adventure bike market does not currently have many options in the 600-900cc range - so why not build your own out of a brick? The stock swingarm looks pretty beefy... I've heard about the smoking and the previous owner also warned me about it - but I think it's totally preventable by using the centerstand. My boxers also smoked a little sometimes after being on the sidestand for a while (one cylinder pointed down). But the Ks have 3 or 4 cylinders pointed down, so at least one valve is always open, and the oil drains into the heads. I always wondered why they didn't build them with the driveshaft on the left. I mean, it's a brilliant and efficient design - the crankshaft is basically inline with the driveshaft and only one 90-degree angle is required to get the power to the ground. But if the driveshaft were on the left, then the oil would drain into the pan instead of the head when the bike's on the sidestand. An advantage I just noticed to the K-bikes (vs. next-gen oilhead boxers): they used high quality wiring harnesses. Somewhere in the mid 90s to early 2000s' BMW started using biodegradable harness sheaths - and the sheaths deteriorated way before the end of the bike's useful life (so you had to re-wrap the whole thing). The harness sheaths on the bike I just got are in excellent condition - despite the fact that the rest of the bike is pretty badly weathered. And this has to be easiest-starting bike I've ever owned - I mean, there's no "ritual" to it - just push the button.

Well, the Ks are not supposed to be dirt bikes... but I did venture into the sand yesterday while crossing the Mojave Desert - just for the hell of it. @LowRyter - Maybe look at the older, oilhead BMWs - the R1100RT (5-speed) and R1150RT (6-speed). I had an R1100RT for a long time: very comfortable, efficient, etc. As for bricks - a K100RS or K100RT would make a nice two-up machine. There was even a K75RT for a few years. I like the looks of the K-S and K-RS models more than the K-RTs. The K-bike gives me more feeling of the road than the R1100RT did. While the K engine "sound is not particularly inspiring" a quiet bike is nice for two-up touring. The K-bikes also make cool whirring gear sounds - like spooling up a jet engine.

Sadly, both rider footpegs snapped in the crash that caused the parting-out. However, another member who was looking for the pegs mentioned that the rider and passenger pegs are the same casting. The passenger pegs have two holes drilled - one for the pivot pin, and the other for a spring and ball. The rider peg has one hole for the pivot pin - and a big notch cut out where the pivot pin passes through the spring. Therefore, a machinist could probably convert a passenger peg to a rider peg. There are probably lots of spare passenger pegs out there - and I do have a pair of those.

I always disconnect the battery before I swap out major or complex electrical things. This might be an unnecessary precaution, but it only takes a minute. The recommended TPS setting is a little different than stock. I talked to Curtis Harper. He said they were mislabeled in a Moto Guzzi warehouse - then somebody opened the boxes. Fun story - and not at all surprising, really. The Ti kit comes nicely packaged, eh? Except the paint on the hangers is terrible - mine don't even match.

I was one of the die-hard boxer purists when the K bikes came out - plus I couldn't afford anything new at the time. I had a 1981 R100CS (little known model, basically the same as the 100S). I asked my girlfriend (now wife) to marry me on a ride down PCH back from a weekend in Monterey. She registered for our wedding at a department store, I registered at the BMW dealer and my buddies gave me tires and oil as wedding gifts. We used to ride two-up a lot - and she's been hinting that she might ride with me again if I got something "more comfortable." So... if she likes the K, I'll dress it up a bit more. She also wants the motorcycle to be "cute." The K75s is "cute" - right? In retrospect, I find it amazing to think that in 1987 you could walk into a BMW motorcycle dealer and choose between: R80 airhead, or various R100 airhead models - now considered classic or vintage bikes. K75 or K100 models with fuel injection and ABS (a motorcycling first). As to music - well, I was actually making Scura sounds in my head when I did the mountain pass yesterday... But the 250 miles (across Mojave Desert and greater Los Angeles Metro and slab-sprawl) that followed were easy miles on the K-bike. Even with shitty tires, a poor shock, and in need of a tune, it was smooth, stable, and comfortable.

I'll start - since I just did a fly and ride and brought one home. I think they have to be the cheapest, most reliable form of transportation available - pretty good performers, and a bit more "personality and quirkiness" than your standard boxer or other recent BMW models. I chose a later-year (1992) K75s, with low miles (40,000 of it's 200,000 or more useful life). Having recently left each of my V11s at the airport (which made me sick), I decided to get a "beater-bike." This one looks good from distance, but has been left out in the weather too much, which makes it OK for me to continue doing. $1,600 - but needs some work and tires. I rode it about 800 miles over a few days of work with customers in various cities on the way. Concluding with a fun ride of 370 miles to get it home today over a 6,000 foot pass through the Sequoia National Forest in the Sierra Nevada range. These K-bikes have massive electrical generators... and today I thought: "I might get myself some heated grips."

What do you all think of the original BMW K-bikes (late 1980s to mid 1990s)? Have you owned one in past? Do you have one now? Have you been thinking - dang those things are cheap and indestructible? The BMW Brick: discuss....

I've switched to a new organic. EMU 17951: Seriously, I use Maxima 20w-50 full synthetic and it's fine. The manuals for these bikes specify a synthetic oil - the 2003 and later specify a lighter weight than than the earlier years.

I have the Ohlins on my Sucra and installed a Shindy on my LeMans. I have them both backed off almost all the way - just a a few clicks in. I'm not sure I could tell the difference between dampers. A used Ohlins might require a rebuild - so factor that cost (and time) into your decision. If your bike is wobbling, you might look elsewhere for the cause, instead of at the damper to cover-up the main problem. Causes could include issues with tires, spring settings, steering bearings, or other. Maybe somebody who knows suspension stuff really well can post more detail.

I'm interested too. I looked up the part number on Amazon, where some people said it's plug-and-play on some Harleys. http://www.amazon.com/Truck-Lite-27270C-Headlamp/dp/B007K8AA7I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446403807&sr=8-1&keywords=led+headlight+27270C I'm not thrilled with the stock headlight and I do ride canyons at night just for fun - and now daylight "savings" time means my ride home from work will be in the dark too. Al - are you next? Take pics so I can copy...

I don't understand the Spud reference - unless this a potato joke, because the part in question is going to Jeff in Idaho. ("Great Potatoes") Who knew such a little part could be such a big problem? Be careful with those little buggers... or if somebody finds them, buy the whole box and share. Seems like a worthy addition to the fix-it-on-the-road kit (if you can find one).

Like machining your own fluid reservoirs into the triple clamp? That's cool that you can do stuff like that.

Replacement part on the way.... it is great fun to be able to salvage bits from my "parts-bike" boxes and solve a parts-sourcing problem.

Thanks for the seat-paint tip. I just noticed where you hid the front turn signals. Excellent. I wonder how she'd look with the same gold/orange on the head guards? Would that work or be "too much of a good thing?" The dark tail works well with the blue front - but full color matching would also be nice. I prefer the look of my red LeMans with all red (not the stock black tail). I have an extra tail section with some repairable road rash - then you could have it both ways. I'd be tempted to flat-black powercoat a few parts (pillion pegs and hangers, alternator cover, foot levers, rear brake master cylinder guard, etc.) - but that's me. The Rizoma fluid tanks are a beautiful, although a bit spendy, option. They'd be a nice pair of jewels to crown the work you've done. What gauges are those?

Gorgeous. In addition to the fairing, I love the gold/orange mirrors and wheel-stripes, the tasteful rear fender (using about 50% of the stock part), the color, custom plate, pipes, I could go on... oh did I mention the color? Wow. Impressive. Edit: just staring again. Is the seat dark brown? that's fabulous. Where did you get it done (or where did you get the material)?

Today is "promise day"

...champagne? http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/mcy/5286454205.html

I think maybe previous-owner or mechanic practices have more to do with the wear than the mileage. I think these can be decoupled gently and last a very long time - but they are a bit delicate.

Out of curiosity, how many miles on that bike? I might be able to help you with a used part. PM sent.

Just watched the end of the auction on eBay. The bike went for a last-second bid of $3,101. That's $201 MORE than the asking price at the dealer's website. Anybody could have bought it for $2,900 last week. Interesting...

"After lunch, I decide to pay a visit to the factory. Guzzi owners are required to make at least one pilgrimage to the factory during their lifetimes." Great trip and pics. Thank-you for clearing stating this pilgrimage requirement. I will endeavor to comply...

Well, your Tenni does appear very restorable (and perfect on the RH side). As you mentioned elsewhere, it had a rear wheel lockup - likely do to a problem in the transmission - and now she's on eBay. Just a few hours remaining on the auction. I've been seriously thinking about getting it, since I have parts on hand to repair almost all damage (including a low-mile transmission), but I just can't see having three V11s (even addictions have limits) and I don't want to sell either of the ones I have. So..... if somebody here is looking for a Tenni to keep, know that I have a complete 2002 tranny readily available (minus twin-plate conversion parts). http://www.ebay.com/itm/Moto-Guzzi-V11-Le-Mans-Tenni-/371469200244

Hopefully Christmas 2015, for 2016 project... but who knows... could be Christmas 2016... I hope Santa and his Italian moto-elves get busy. Maybe a little back pressure through MG Cycle's waiting list will help. :helmet: :helmet:

@Foto - That is a smart and simple solution on the wheel chock, thanks. I was thinking about the "weakest link" thing too. I'd shy away from a steel part that would rip the front case of my engine - would certainly prefer the sidestand to break and protect what it's attached to. Like a lizard's tail... @JB - A wheel chock will cost you about the same as new sidestand... then NO pressure on the sidestand for most of it's life. But if you do break one, remember that I'm holding a spare in reserve, I'd gladly ride Angeles Crest to bring it to you.

Have not heard or seen such a thing. But I've noticed the flex. As for loading the bags. I keep a block of wood in the garage to keep the bike more upright when parked there - so there is less weight leaning on the stand. I also have a roll-on front wheel chock that will hold the bike upright - but I can't get it out by myself unless I figure out how to secure it to the garage floor (post-tension slab, drilling in floor not allowed).