K11 Owners Group

mnb

Anyone that's owned a K1100 would, before long, notice that the kickstand doesn't angle very far forward. This provides limited support and allows for the stand to fold up on you pretty easily. There is no notch in the travel of the stand to help it stay forward unless intentionally kicked with the boot, nor any form of locking in place, like with the Harley Jiffystand.

So if you stop on a ride and aren't sure if you're getting off or not, therefore leaving the bike in neutral and then later get off the bike without shifting into first, you may be blatantly presented with the bike's primary flaw. The most microscopic downhill slope (as in 1/2 degree) is enough to cause the stand to collapse and the bike to fall over with a resounding crash.

In the 14 years I've owned my K1100LT, this has occurred three times. The last one being yesterday. Only this time I'd decided to ride without the saddle bags. They're dull and faded because BMW cheaped out and didn't paint them and instead used silver plastic which faded rapidly. I didn't need the storage so I rode without them.

The bags touch first when the bike falls over. This minimizes the collateral damage. Without the bags, the left mirror was essentially destroyed. The back shell was broken off and the mirror was shattered. The left rear signal lens was broken off. The rest seems mostly ok, although I need to compare it to the other side.

The bracket that the upper fairing mounts to has no give, so in a hard contact like this, it pushes though the fairing. Or tries to. The small crack that was present before is now a large crack. And if you look close, you can tell the fairing has been pushed to the right.

I carry comprehensive on the bike, so this will only cost me the $500 deductible. Factory painted parts are no longer available, though. Any recommendations for a Bay Area shop to handle the painting? I figured I'd talk to CalBMW for their suggestion.

Since insurance is covering it, I'm not looking to source cheap used parts. Besides, every upper fairing I've ever seen for sale has that crack in it from the bracket.

And if anyone has any ideas for modding the sidestand to prevent this, I'm all ears.
_________________
M N B
1997 BMW K1100LT ABS Special Edition
2003 Husqvarna TE610e
2007 Harley Davidson Road King
2009 BMW F800GS
2011 Husqvarna TE310
2014 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak MNB Edition

Shoganai · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 10:57 pm Post subject:

I over came this be always turning the bike off in first gear and if it's pointing down hill, I ease it forward until the transmission is firmly engaged.

This eliminates any creep forward after I get off the bike.
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT

Nana korobi ya oki

mnb · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 11:19 pm Post subject:

Shoganai · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 12:03 am Post subject:

If that's the case and it were me, I'd buy a new side stand for $146.81.

It could be yours is just ever so slightly worn out or some sort of metal fatigue has altered it so that you are having this problem.
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT

Nana korobi ya oki

mnb · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 4:10 am Post subject:

drikko · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 4:24 am Post subject:

Can't say I've ever had an issue with it! Shocked

_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 8:04 am Post subject:

Ks aren't the only bike susceptible to this. First or second gear.

I'll PM you the email of my bud in Daly City. He's been into bikes in the Bay Area since the 60s and should know where you can get a good paint job.
_________________
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

Geoff · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 9:01 am Post subject:

I don't trust my side stand and rarely use it.

The spring-loaded sidestands on 70's boxers were problematic, too. They'd sometimes fold up if a bike moved forward slightly, such as when it's a slope. I'd often connect a bungee cord between my bike's frame and stand to prevent it (stand) from collasping.
_________________
2000 R1100RT
2008 H-D Electra Glide Ultra Classic

rkildu · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 10:59 am Post subject:

I have the same bike, same year, but in maroon and gray. I had the same problem too.

With some standing on my head inspection I noticed that there is a part in the assembly that does not seem to do anything but that has a tab, bent at a right angle, that is between the sidestand forward stop on the mounting and the stop on sidestand itself. It adds about a quarter inch, or to say it better, it prevents the sidestand from going all the way forward by about a quarter inch. My guess is that it is a left over from an earlier design that automatically retracted the sidestand with clutch application. I think it was on the K75?

It's hard to explain, but if you take a look you can see it. All of the other parts are black, this part is natural gray steel.

Anyway, I just cut that darned tab off on mine. I had to disassemble the sidestand to do it. I thought about just removing the part, but it is required for a spacer so everything fits back together properly.
_________________
Rod Kilduff
97 K1100LT HighLine
82 R100Lufty

mnb · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 11:15 am Post subject:

Ernie-NH · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 5:04 pm Post subject:

Hello all....

If its any consolation.... the OEM side stands on the older Airheads and Oilheads suck as well. I have NEVER had any issues with side stands on any of the bikes I've owned BUT relative to side stands, the 2 BMSs I have are both woeful designs. At least the Airheads have an alternative 'after market' design available.

Best regards...........// Ernie in NH
_________________
AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7

mnb · Posted: Tue Oct 05, 2010 9:10 pm Post subject:

So anyways...

I've made up a list of part #s at maxbmw.com.

I think CalBMW has a collision repair center and may be able to handle everything, which would make things convenient for me and the insurance company as well.

I figure I'll get some extra stuff painted while I'm at it and it'll be better than new (like the dull and faded saddlebag lids).
_________________
M N B
1997 BMW K1100LT ABS Special Edition
2003 Husqvarna TE610e
2007 Harley Davidson Road King
2009 BMW F800GS
2011 Husqvarna TE310
2014 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak MNB Edition

mnb · Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 8:18 pm Post subject:

Interesting... MaxBMW.com says painted parts are not available, but when I called CalBMW to ask about handling the work, the guy looked up my VIN (I bought the bike new there in 1996) and said painted parts ARE available. Entering the part #s at ChicagoBMW gets me prices, too.

Either way, they have a partnership with a paintshop, so they can handle all the work.

I'm going to check with BMW Santa Cruz County as well since they are my preferred shop (I know a couple people that work there).

It feels odd to be excited, but since this first happened 14 years ago, the bike hasn't looked new in a VERY long time. And once the work is done, she's gonna look sharp.

My current estimate is $500 for the deductible, $2100 for the insurance company and an extra $500 for me for parts and paint, so $1k for me. Not too bad to make a bike that runs like a top look almost brand new.
_________________
M N B
1997 BMW K1100LT ABS Special Edition
2003 Husqvarna TE610e
2007 Harley Davidson Road King
2009 BMW F800GS
2011 Husqvarna TE310
2014 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak MNB Edition

whyoldbill · Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 9:19 pm Post subject:

How about some "before" and "after" photos?
I always forget to do that myself and usually remember about half way through.
_________________
'02 - GL1800

The desired effect is what you get when you improve your interplanetary funksmanship - George Clinton

drikko · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 12:24 am Post subject:

I think I found a solution for you MNB, saw this just now in town, sorry about the photo but I was driving at the time.

So all you need to do is carry a bit of timber around with you:-

_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

merlin geikie · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 2:12 am Post subject: Wooden prop...

Yeah the wooden prop is very appropriate...

BMW airplane motors first had wooden props didn't they?

Geee you didn't need a flash for the daytime photo?

Ya must be getting more light than us down in lismore nthn nsw ... just rains here all the time and is dark and gloomy, haven't had sun in weeks or months. Laughing

Gotta roll with the punches I guess Very Happy

Least ways we ain't gotta drought... Wink

All the best folks and thanks for the great K11OG forum

Don't forget that wooden prop now Razz

drikko · Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 2:38 am Post subject:

We actually got a bit of sun for about half an hour today!

Went for a ride with the BM club last Saturday, did about 300ks, rained the whole time but it was great fun still Smile

Too wet to take photos sorry.
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde