K11 Owners Group

ritterj1 · Joined: 09 Apr 2011 Posts: 15 Location: pittsburgh, PA

Picked it up in edinboro, pa today. Headed for pittsburgh. Nice two lane for about 40 miles - cool, sunny, just about perfect. The k 1100 bike flew quite easily, very responsive, fast, corners tighter than the k75 and sounds real different, but with ear plugs it is hard to tell. Vibration at diffeent revs can settle down to barely noticeable. Since m k75 lost its speedometer about three years ago, i am not used to having one. I watching the tach for the first 25 miles or so, i figure now i must have been doing 80 most of the time as the tach was aroind 60 in fifth gear. I guess i am a better rider than i thought cause i had no problems and no fear. Finally hitting the interstate for the last part of the ride, i was at 80 at the top of the ramp and as i passed one car i must have been up to 90 before i realized it. The bike has tons more power and speed than the k75! Really impressive. Coming home tonight after a fabulous meal at a gypsy restaurant with music and friends, winding through some city streets, up our hills, and onto my street the bike felt very much like mine.
Only problem i can see, that the previous owner told me about wasma fork seal leaking. Seems bad, how soon do i need to get it done?
Thanks, jeff
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Ritterj1@me.com
1996 K1100RS

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 5:37 am Post subject:

Jeff,

Good to see you had a fun first ride. The K1100 engine has some "oomph" in it. Usable, flexible power, eh?

A fork seal leak will make quite a mess (amazing how very small amounts of leaking oil gets everywhere) before it is necessary to rip them apart.

If one is leaking, you might want to first try sliding a thin feeler gauge between the seal and the upper leg to see if anything is stuck in there. Occasionally gunk- bug bodies, road goo- will get in there and cause the leak. Just carefully run the gauge around the leg to pry any junk out.
But changing out the seals is not a huge job, if it comes to that. Many here have done it one or more times (on different bikes). Lots of help here on the K11OG if you need- just use the search feature or ask. BTW, remember to install fork gaiters if you do new seals- cheap insurance.

Hey, HAVE FUN on the big brick- try to keep it under the ton, ok? Laughing

John
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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

blue95lt · Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 12:48 pm Post subject: kin folk

Hi Ritterj1!
I dont know the burg very well but I have brothers and a sister close to pittsburg.
A bro. in IRWIN
My sis. in Leechburg
and a bro. in I cant remember the town but on upper mateer road.he has a 1980 cb 650 c. none of my family has a brick?
I have done my fork seals myself the first time is the hardest,u get use to how it comes apart. the snap ring is the worst to me!!
enjoy your brick keith.
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1995 k1100lt daily ride(22953)when I got it
1982 cb650sc blue nighthawk (38000)(crashed)
1974 kz400(sold to get nighthawk)

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2011 5:42 pm Post subject:

Jeff,

BTW, in 5th gear you can multiply revs x 1.5 and get pretty close to what speed you are doing. 60(00)rpms, huh? You were closer to 90mph Laughing

Felt pretty good, huh?

Have fun.

John
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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Thedodge · Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 4:47 pm Post subject:

I have recollections of reading about the K100 when it was tested by a U.K. bike mag when i was much younger. I seem to remember that the journalist was so impressed by the torque of the motor, he wrote something along the lines of " above 30 mph, the only purpose of the gearbox is to change the tone of the engine" This made me want to find out for myself, 25 years later, i know what he means.
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K1100 lt 97'