1985 BMW K100
Posted on | February 16, 2009 | 6 Comments
As if I didn’t have enough motorcycles crammed into a tiny storage unit – now I have another! I drove 8 hours each way to pick up this 1985 BMW K100. I am generally real impulsive when it comes to motorcycle purchases, and this is certainly one of those cases. I have no need for this bike at all, but I saw a good deal and had to have it!
The BMW K100 (and K75) motorcycles are probably THE most reliable and long lasting motorcycles ever built. These motors are known to commonly go over 250,000 miles without any rebuild. Knick-named the ‘flying brick’ these motors are big, heavy, robust, and silky smooth. No bike runs, rides, or shifts as smoothly as a K bike. Sometimes you forget it’s running.
This particular K100 has a Corbin seat and a few other farkles – but unfortunately the fairing has suffered some damage and doesn’t look great. I has traveled 117,000 miles to date.
When I brought it back it hadn’t run in a few months. I promptly jumped it from my car battery and it roared to life instantly. I drove it around a bit and it didn’t skip a beat. These bikes are troopers.
The downside of a K bike for me is that they are ‘too’ smooth. They don’t offer the same excitement factor that other bikes do. These K100’s accelerate smooth, brake smooth, turn smooth, and frankly it’s like sitting in a Cadillac. I’ve heard them called the ‘old-mans-bike’, and that is certainly true.
Comments
6 Responses to “1985 BMW K100”
Leave a Reply
Quick Intro
I have owned nearly every make and model of vintage Japanese motorcycle as well as a number of other Europeans and more modern bikes. I do everything from simple fixes to full restorations. I also travel and ride every chance I get.
My Twitter
- Highway Dirt Bikes new Enduro blinker kits look AWESOME! http://bit.ly/b8YSdH
- The 950 twin used in the USA Highland bike - Swedish sourced I believe. http://bit.ly/ataZHd
- The Original Mondo Enduro Trailer - which I still have yet to see http://bit.ly/bZCDlq
- WOW this is some daring riding! I'd ride it, would you? YouTube - Big Balls Trail Ride http://bit.ly/dwgPgv
- I don't understand the front end on this bike. Is it just for rigidity? Taken in 1981 http://bit.ly/ce0aNL
Subscribe to my feed
Search
Archives
- March 2010
- January 2010
- September 2009
- February 2009
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- January 2008
- December 2007
- October 2007
- August 2007
- July 2007
- April 2007
- March 2007
- December 2006
- November 2006
- July 2006
- June 2006
February 17th, 2009 @ 7:15 am
[...] Cult bikes. – SVRider Board [...]
February 17th, 2009 @ 4:42 pm
[...] 1985 BMW K100 » Evan Fell Cycle Works [...]
February 20th, 2009 @ 11:37 am
[...] BMW MOA :: Ad Details [...]
March 5th, 2009 @ 10:48 pm
Evan,
Just a quick note to say THANK-YOU for the article on carb cleaning. I am a novice on bike repair and always hesitate to touch them (love riding..always worried to wrench).
I bought a 1984 DR125 for my daughter to ride on this winter and could not get this to start (Throttle cable kink and bad baffle). Replaced them both and.. Nothing.
Was scared to try to even remove (let alone clean) the carbs, till I came upon your site. I did the removal tonite and hope to clean it all up this weekend. Hope this does the trick.
Thanks for all the great info. I ride a ‘78 Yamaha XS400 for my daily. And hope someday to get a bigger bike.
Too much info, sorry. Just saying thanks.
All the best.
Mike
August 14th, 2009 @ 7:44 am
Hey Evan, recently bought a 84 K100RS, agree with all you said, apart from the fact mine corners like a brick-(mebbe time for a new rear shockie),and crap narrow h/bars- but all in all excellent value.
keep it upright,
Tony
December 10th, 2009 @ 2:23 pm
Hi Evan. I was doing some research on my own K-bike and came across your blog. I love your work. Here’s a link to a pic of my brick.