K11 Owners Group

Howard64180 · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 12:07 pm Post subject: New owner of K1100rs

Hello, Newbie here from UK, near the English Lake District. I have recently purchased a 1994 K1100rs with 57k on the clock, and have spent many hours sorting out some of the neglect. New fuel lines have been fitted (airbox was fun!) and the poxy Meta alarm removed along with loads of spare wiring that had been used in the past for extra lights. The bulb monitor had been removed and the warning triangle wired up to the side stand, this no longer worked. I tried to fit a S/H monitor but despite matching up the wiring it refused to work and I still had no front parking light and the rear light was also now out - no power to the parking light fuse was the reason the first, but the second? Got it all working now by 'robbing' power from the fuse above to power the front parking light and rear light. I have since found that my brake light is led (ah!) and I will follow suit with the rear light so as not to overload the 'robbed' wiring. I suspect that the parking light facility had been used previously to switch the extra lights, but I couldn't (or wouldn't -getting tired) find out where the power was going to.

I have re - instated the oil light (wire was disconnected under the tank -why?) and removed the bulbs from the flashing ABS warning lights. I saw an old post on here stating that the ABS can be completely removed? When I disconnect my ABS 'brain', my neutral and generator lights glow at half power with the ignition off! Bad earth somewhere, maybe?

Despite the bike having a new MOT, the front master cylinder was EMPTY. New seals in there, then - the bore is in good condition.

I went to get a new tyre fitted today but as not in stock had to order one for tomorrow. And WHAT A GREAT BIKE TO RIDE!! All that sweating in my tin shed was worth it. I still have loads of little jobs to do but have broken the back of it. I have a history of changing bikes regularly but I hope this is one I can keep; it has a certain charm. Watch this space!

Howard64180 · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 12:17 pm Post subject:

Just realised that in original (UK) form the rear light would be fed by the parking light wire, which is why the rear light stopped working when I fitted the bulb monitor!

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 2:24 pm Post subject:

Welcome Howard,
Most of us have keepers, mine since 2006 my third K11.
Between us we'll sort out All your problems (bike only mind). Except perhaps the ABS 1 which are known to fry their brain (fault code 7).
You can't get new master cyl seals, a repair kit @ silly money is the cheapest option DAMHIK
HTH
_________________
Regards Tim,

Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485

Howard64180 · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 3:30 pm Post subject:

Thanks Tim, yes I've bought the repair kit and done the master cylinder. My back didn't like all that twisting to get underneath at the bolts but there was no way I was splitting the line. I think mine has ABS2 (all the gubbins under the seat)? Anyway, it doesn't work - which doesn't worry me a bit.

This might help someone else...I noticed that my clutch arm pin was pivoting in the casing instead of the arm pivoting on the pin. I've seen how the bearings wear little grooves in the pin on K100s, so I pushed the pin through as far as the circlip to give the bearings a new surface to work on. Amazingly, it worked.

By the way, Motorworks are brilliant!

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 4:58 pm Post subject:

Glad you've got the brakes sorted. I'm a MotoBins chap, not forgiven Works for closing their Counter a few years ago, preventing emergency spares collection. As they're equidistant I nip to Lincolnshire where I can actually see what I'm getting.
As you have ABS 2, repair IS possible. have a look at the stickies re reading & resetting fault codes. I wouldn't be without it.
_________________
Regards Tim,

Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485

Howard64180 · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:25 am Post subject:

One day I will look at the ABS (when it's cooler!). On the surface it looks simple, but shouldn't the ABS button be on the dash pad? On mine this is a switch wired in to the fan as an override. I don't know why, as the fan works fine anyway. Maybe someone thought it took too long to cut in.

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 6:04 am Post subject:

Howard,

The fan override is to keep the heat down before it climbs to leg melting temperatures. Many here have done this mod.

The idea is when approaching an area where there are stop lights or traffic slows to a crawl, switch the fan on. That way the engine doesn't have to get hot enough to turn the fan on automatically- keeping the engine and you cooler. It works well.

John
_________________
John & Cathy

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

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 6:52 am Post subject:

Howard64180 · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 2:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the replies and advice. I've just had the new front tyre fitted, following which my brakes were binding - turned out the garage hadn't realigned the forks. Nearly dropped it on the way to the garage just touching the front brake on wet grass - should know better. Then spent a couple of hours a) fitting an led pilot light and b) tidying the wiring in the tail light (lots of extra connections in there too). Still waiting for the led rear light bulb. Raining again now, we've had lots of wet and muggy weather here. Back to work on Monday, be good to have a nice sit down!

garynali · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 5:26 pm Post subject:

Gday Howard
Welcome to a great group of people. We all think you made the right choise in bikes. The K1100 is hard to beat and all you need to know to keep it going is available for the asking here. You're lucky to have motobins close, it's the other side of the world for some of us.
I just got a K1200GT . It's great but not the same bike as my old K1100RS a tried and proven beauty.
Good luck with your new machine.
Gary C
93 K1100RS
04 K1200GT

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 5:54 pm Post subject:

Howard64180 · Posted: Sat Jul 07, 2012 3:11 am Post subject:

Electrical fiddling was one of the previous owners' mission in life, I think. I nearly had a fit when I opened the relay box. I've never seen so many wires and relays, badly crimped connections where wires could just be pulled out - all now removed, along with the alarm/immobiliser. I gave up on the BMU when I couldn't get it, nor the rear light, to work (very hot, sweaty and frustrated at the time). Obviously, the unknown to me previously fitted led stop light would stop it functioning properly, as would the lack of rear light. The rear and pilot lights now have a 'new' source of power. I may have another crack at the BMU in winter, but with leds in stop and tail light I'm less concerned about failure. At least everything works and is tidy now and the best thing is I can ride it!

Paul Edlington · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 6:01 am Post subject:

Hi Howard and welcome to the group, we're not a bad bunch and you'll get lots of good help from the guy's along the way and most important, make some really great friends. Smile

Regarding your new purchase you've made the right choice, as the K11's are truly a great bike, I've had my old girl (Mistic Red) since 1993, done 200k and she as never let me down yet, I still enjoy riding her today as much I as I did the first time I ever rode her, so for me that say's it all, and to top it off I bought a second one just for good measure. Confused

I see Tim down there in Cotgrave is giving you some good help etc, us Nottingham lads are a helpful bunch, hope you are looking after the old place Tim Smile

Cheers, Paul.
_________________
Paul & Gill
93 K1100RS Mistic Red
72 R75/5 Toaster
72 R50/5 Toaster (Project)
Remember it's not the destination, it the journey

Howard64180 · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 7:26 am Post subject:

Thanks Paul. Tim has unwittingly helped again, as on an old thread he explains how the wires from the ignition switch can break inside the insulation. Could this be why my parking light power is lost, I wondered? A bit more research showed that a grub screw holds the switch to the barrel. Went to have a quick look - what grub screw? Mine just has a threaded hole and the remains of the red paint. Someone has been there before then! This will be a job for winter I think (obviously I do need to replace the screw asap). I was going to say a job for the bad weather, but it's chucking it down here again, as usual for this summer!!

Howard64180 · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2012 10:44 am Post subject:

Sorry, that should read 'on a recent thread'....

Jim Brotherton · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 4:06 am Post subject:

Welcome Howard, to probably the best biker web sight I have ever seen, know you will love and enjoy the brick.
_________________
1995 K1100RS
2004 R1150RT

Howard64180 · Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2012 5:47 am Post subject:

Thanks Jim, agree this is the best biker website I've found. Slowly getting the brick sorted and enjoying riding as I go along.