K11 Owners Group

[Tootles]

I decided to check the gearbox oil level when I first bought the K. The non-BMW workshop manual (K100, couldn't get a K1100 book, but have since got hold of one on disk,) said 'use suspension 'C' spanner to check gearbox oil level, using the mark on the spanner shaft'
Out came the toolkit, but hey, no mark. So I phoned the dealer. The conversation went like this:
ME: Hi there, wonder if you can tell me how I check the oil level in my K1100RS gearbox.
DEALER: You book the bike in, and we change the oil.
ME: But what if I want to do it myself? how do I check the level?
DEALER: You cant. It's a specialist job. Just book it in.
ME (puzzled): It cant be that hard to change the oil. How much does it hold?
DEALER: It could be any one of a few gearboxes. They all hold different amounts of oil.
HMMMMMM.
So, I drained the oil, and then added the specified amount. Later that day, I was on a UK spares site, which showed both 'C' spanners, mine, and the one with the line. So I ordered one. £4.00, ($8.00) When it arrived, I duly dipped the box, and hey presto, the oil was right on the line.
SO, is this shorter spanner an attempt by BMW to make you take your bike to the dealer?? I cant think of another reason, as I believe that the five speed gearbox on the K1100 shares the same casing as the K100.
Dave.

[Flying Duck]

Yes, the level is the same as for earlier Ks.

Your toolkit should have an L-shaped piece of metal in it which you can use to check the tranny oil level. All of my 4 valve Ks have had one in the factory toolkit so, no, I don't think it's a scam.

Edit: But your dealer sounds mighty suspicous.
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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

[Tootles]

There isn't one listed in the toolkit, and there wasnt one in mine, but thats sorted now that I have the K100 spanner.

[Phil Marvin]

Hi, Tootles,
I don't know what year your K1100 is. The earlier ones may have used the shock wrench ("C" spanner) with a line on it to check gearbox oil. Both my '95 and '96 K1100LT's came with the "L" shaped tool to check the gearbox oil level. I agree, your dealer sounds like a flake. I'd do most anything I could to keep from taking my bike there. If you need to, take a trip to Ireland and have Maddocks in Bray work on it. 30 years ago when I was living and working in Ireland (and had my first BMW bike, a '76 R90/6), I came to know Paddy quite well. If anything, he was competent. Of course, his business has grown and he doesn't personally do the servicing, but I think he's at least honest.
Ride Safe,
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Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

[duckbubbles]

The correct level is 4.5315 in. or 135 mm from the top of the transmission fill hole. You can fabricate a dipstick if you need. I took this dimension from my original spanner/dipstick.

Frank
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85 K100/1100RS, 321,000 miles, 25 years
96 Ducati 900SS/SP, sold it
05 R1200ST, 35,000 miles, 5 years
400,000 BMW miles

[Tootles]

Thanks for that, guys. The bike is a '95, and came with the short 'C' spanner, (no line). The toolkit is mint and complete, but no sign of a 'L' shaped piece of metal. The riders handbook details the toolkit, and also pictures the contents, but again, no mention of the tool. Funny, even the guy at the dealers didn't mention it.
Maybe some bikes didnt get it??
On the dealer issue, they quoted me £180.00 to replace a fork seal, but, they will only do both sides together!! So that would be £360.00. + tax. I got the seals and oil for £10.00, and the total job took me about four (easy) hours.
Dave.

[Phil Marvin]

Hi, Tootles,
In January of 2000, I had both fork seals replaced on my '96 K1100LT. The dealer in Deming, New Mexico did the work (no longer a BMW dealer) and the charge was less than $150. GBP180 each side is robbery, plain and simple. I would steer very wide of that dealer. If I had to go to him, I'd probably sell my bike and buy a Honda.
Ride Safe,
_________________
Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

[John Clauss]

Funny, I do not have that tool. I went through the same thing last time I did my oil change. I had found somewhere how to make my own L shaped tool, but in the move I lost it. Does anyone have those specs?
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1997 K1100LT
1975 R75/6

It will bring you so close to nausea, it will make you sick! - Big Al

[Gomedic]

Hey John, I think I might have a spare. I will check this weekend and if I have one, it's yours. I'll let you know.

Glenn
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1997 K1100LT Mine...ALL MINE!

[Flying Duck]

[Marti]

Some how I suspect we are all prone to the idea that the blue'n'white dealerships are a cut above....but it appears not. I though £400 - 500 for a service and tyre was right (in the mid 1990's) until I discovered a non franchised dealer
_________________
Cheers,

Marti
Ex K1 Ex- K100RS Ex- K1100RS Ex R1150RS
Ex Wife
Ex Pan European
R1150RT Ex-R1100RS
R1150RS Miss the K11RS

[Tootles]

So whats the UK dealer price for a full service now, any ideas??

[k1100rsr]

My 93 got this L dipstick in the toolset.
The BMW parts no for the L shaped dipstick is 71 11 2 316 195
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93 K1100RS TIC-8PSI �hlins rear,WP springs front, 2,62 final drive, K12RS 5" rear wheel
Toy on four wheels, supercharged -97 BMW 540
http://community.webshots.com/user/k1100rsr

[Marti]

[quote="Tootles"]So whats the UK dealer price for a full service now, any ideas??[/quote]
Cannons, the only franchised dealer I used before getting wise, will accept life blood, bank balance or first born child. Never paid more than £180 with my non-franchised dealer. Ditto the new 1150. Strong believer in the "inter-service" care. Grease nipples and pads usually but my bike live in city traffic so tend to need more care.
_________________
Cheers,

Marti
Ex K1 Ex- K100RS Ex- K1100RS Ex R1150RS
Ex Wife
Ex Pan European
R1150RT Ex-R1100RS
R1150RS Miss the K11RS

[will3hawks]

Just a thought; Stop doing business with the bastards! This is one of the reasons the forums flourish-to avoid greedy dealers (I refuse to use the BMW PC term "Retailer"). My first BMW Rabbi, the late great Keith Patchett schooled me well when he taught me that if you want it done right, learn to do it yourself and keep the money in your own pocket. There are a mountain of horror stories about BMW Dealers who are not only overpriced but are often incompitent. In the days of the airheads, dealers would often do stupid things like trying to adjust the carbs without bringing the bike to operating temp first and that is just the tip of the iceberg!

Ride safe, ride well and ride fast.

Regards,

Will
_________________
The truth is 100 miles east of Memphis
BMWMOA# 70125
94 K 1100RS (Speedwagon)
"Even if I should die on the road, this would be the will of heaven"
Matsuo Basho, 1644-1694

[chopper_harris]

Folks

My old girl (K11 LT) was minus her toolkit when she arrived.
Have been keeping an eye on fleBay for a decent 2nd hand item, but they always go for daft money.

[K11Martin]

I believe that when the K100s were introduced, BMW arranged with the manufacturer of the shock to have the specially marked C spanner produced at the same time.

This arrangement was not undertaken when the K11s came along, and they had a different rear shock and thus a different size spanner. Th 'L' shaped tool was then hurriedly pressed into service.
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Currently riding a '93 K1100LT (ABS1) decked out with lights and aerials (Ex 70's Vespa rider)

Why not join the UK owners club at http://forum.bmw-club.org.uk/

[K11Martin]