Technical Articles for K75/K100/K1100/K1200/K1300/K1600 BMWs
Disclaimer: All material contained herein retains the original author's copyright. The material presented here is not intended to take the place of knowledge, expertise, competence or common sense in the repair and maintenance of your motorcycle. If you are uncertain about what you are doing in the maintenance of your motorcycle, please seek competent, knowledgeable help. Remember to check Local, State, and Federal laws before making any modifications to your Motorcycle.
If you have any information you'd like to have included here or linked to from here, please feel free to email me and we'll get it set up!
Maintenance
Engine
- Budget Oil Filter Wrench - Bruce Keahey (May 1999)
- Budget Oil Filter Wrench #2 - William Wade (July 2004)
- Budget Oil Filter Wrench #3 - Michael Alsin (July 2004)
- Change Air Filter - Jon Diaz
- Change Oil and Filter on a K75S - Ben Zaborowsky (September 1994)
- Changing Coolant / Filling the Radiator - Jon Diaz, Tom Coradeschi (January 1996)
- Check Valve Clearance on a K1100LT - Mike Nolan
- Cold Running Problems, Things to look for - Rob Lentini
- Coolant Change Trick - Fred Scott (September 2000)
- Cooling Fan Diagnostics - Jeff Dunkle (Updated October 2007)
- Diagnose Gas Mileage Problems - Don Eilenberger (June 2000)
- Hot Running Problems - Ed Milich (April 2001)
- K1200RS Air Filter Replacement - Lee Kirschenbaum (August 2000)
- Engine Output Shaft Seal Replacement - Jon Diaz - With help from Rob Lentini and Tom Coradeschi (Updated September 2000)
- Output Shaft Noise Diagnosis & Repair - John Brown (January 2000)
- Output Shaft Noise Diagnosis II - Spike Cornelius (January 2001)
- Repair a Weepy Valve Cover - Tom Coradeschi (January 2001)
- Replace Alternator Drive Rubber Dampers (K75) - Ted Verrill
- Replace Alternator Drive Rubber Dampers(K100) - Don Eilenberger (April 1996)
- Replace Alternator Drive Rubber Dampers, a Tip - Frank Glamser (January 2000)
- Replace the Engine Oil Sight Glass #1 - John McClellan (January 1998)
- Replace the Engine Oil Sight Glass #2 - Andy Newell (July 2005)
- Replace K1100 Crankcase Vent Tubes - Dave Soine (April 1998)
- Early K Sprag Clutch Cleaning (starter doesn't engage) - Don Eilenberger (September 2000)
- Things to Check on an Overheating K75 - Rob Lentini, Joe Senner, Keith Hanlan (April 1995)
- Timing Chain Rattle Diagnosis & Repair - Colin Carpenter (November 2001)
- Valve Adjust on a 16V K Engine - Mark Holland (January 2000)
- Valve Adjust Tool for 8V K Engine - Joe Dille (April 2008)
- Water/Oil Pump Rebuild - Jon Diaz (Updated July 2002)
- Water/Oil Pump Rebuild #2 - Don Forsman (may 2003)
Brakes
- Bleeding Brakes Using an Actron Vacuum Pump Brake Bleeder Kit - Rick Korchak (March 2002)
- Build a Pressure Bleeder
- Change Brake Fluid - Joe Senner (August 1995)
- Change Brake Pads and Rotors - Steven Eisenberg (February 1997)
- Changing Brake Rotors - Steven Eisenberg (February 1997)
- Floating Disk Roller Replacement - Buzz Davis (April 2001)
- Floating Disk Roller Replacement (Addendum 1) - Tony Cox (November 2001)
- Floating Disk Roller Replacement (Addendum 2) - Mick McKinnon (August 2005)
- Master Cylinder Priming Process - Brian Mehosky (November 2001)
Suspension/Steering
- Adjust Preload on Steering Head Bearings - Tom Coradeschi (October 1995)
- Adjust Preload on Steering Head Bearings - Scott Conary (January 2000)
- Change Fork Oil - Tom Coradeschi
- Fork Oil Quantities By Year - Brian Curry (November 1998)
- Fork Spring Installation Tips - Rob Scott (June 1998)
- Fork Spring Installation - Tom Coradeschi (July 1994)
- K1100 Cartridge Fork Notes - Jon Diaz (March 1997)
- Notes on the Fluidbloc Steering Damper - Cal BMW, Rob Lentini (April 1995)
- Showa Fork Rebuild - Clarence Dold (May 1999)
- Steering Bearing Removal (K1100) - Garry Campbell (January 2001)
- Steering Bearing Removal, Another Method - Peter Rihoy (June 2001)
- Steering Bearing Removal - Ralph Catanese (April 2003
- Steering Bearing Removal & Installation Tool - Jim Normandeau (April 1998)
- Steering Bearing R&I Tool Addendum - Stash Zdanuk (November 2000)
Other
- Alternate Maintenance Parts (filters, batteries, FI parts, etc) **Use at your own risk**
- K100RS/RT/LT Mirror Removal - Bruce Keahey (January 2000)
- K1100RS Service Intervals - Ted Verrill (June 1998)
- K1200RS Exhaust Heat Shield Replacement - Charlie Goodspeed (August 1998)
- K1200RS Service Intervals - Ted Verrill (Updated April 2006)
- Repair K100 Muffler Heat Shield Mounts - Tom Coradeschi
- Repair Leaky Integral Saddlebags - Ross Brown (September 1998)
- Saddle Bag Repair - Jonathan Jefferies, Tracy DesLaurier (March 1995)
- Sidestand and Clutch Adjustment - Brian Curry (April 1998)
- Support the Bike while doing spline lube, etc - Darrell Classen (April 1998)
Gauges - Electrical
General
- Access Battery without removing FI Computer - Sam Lepore (March 1999)
- Electrical System "Tune-up" - Don Hamblin (August 1998)
- Relay Box Layout - Paul Glaves (March 1999)
- Turn Signal Relay Repair - Steve DeForest (June 2001)
ABS
- Additional ABS Diagnostic Info - Andy Keatley (January 2001)
- Clear ABS Faults - Richard Paton (April 1998)
- Clear ABS Faults - Jim Johnson (June 2001)
- Read out ABS I Fault Codes - Brian Curry (September 1998)
- Read out ABS I Fault Codes - Frans Schrauwen (October 1999)
- Read out ABS Fault Codes - Test Circuit - Andries van den Broek (March 1999)
- Remove ABS I Sensors - Brian Curry (September 1998)
Instrument Cluster
- Activating the Choke Light on a Late K75 - Jeremy Bell (March 1999)
- Add a Cooling Fan Indicator Light - Clarence Dold (March 1999)
- Another Speedo Fix - Don Eilenberger
- Fix A Flaky Speedometer - Rob Lentini / Charles Goodspeed (March 1995)
- Fix the Low Fuel Lights on an Early K - Jim Solberg (September 2002)
- Fix your K-Bike Speedo - Tom Coradeschi
- K-Bike Speedo Failure Diagnostics - Robert Bini (April 2003
- Fix a Telltale Glowing Charging Light on K Models - A BMW Service Bulletin (April 1989)
- K-Bike Speedo Adjustability - Brain Curry (November 1996)
- K-Bike Speedo Adjust Pot - Geoff Adams (June 2001)
- K-Bike Wobbly Instruments - A Fix - Don Eilenberger (November 1996)
- LCD Clock Repair - Bob Wilson (April 2003
- Trip Odometer Repair - Fred Scott (July 2005)
- Moisture in your Instrument Cluster - Tom Childers (August 1995)
- More Comments on Speedo Problems/Fixes - Jon Diaz, Jack Hawley, Rob Lentini, Tom Yeager (August 1995)
- Speedo Calibrator - Jack Hawley (April 1998)
- Speedo Cal - Another Method - Frans Schrauwen (October 1999)
- Speedo Cal - A Third Method! - Jerry Skene (November 2000)
- Temperature Gage Diagnostics - Walt Briden (April 2003
- Temperature Gage Replacement - Robert Carter (January 2001)
- Tachometer Fix - Mark Camrud
- Transmission Gear Indicator Switch - Brian Curry (March 1999)
Lighting
- Adding a Kisan Headlight Modulator to a K75 - Rick Korchak (June 2000)
- Adding PIAA 910's to a K1100RS - Gary Harris (March 1999)
- Brake Light Upgrade - Rick Korchak (August 2000)
- Home-Brew Running Lights - Jeff Dunkle (April 1996)
- Install a Headlight Relay - Brian Curry
- More Info on Headlight Relays - Brian Curry
- Another Way To Install a Headlight Relay - Don Eilenberger (June 1998)
- Install a Headlight Relay on a K12RS - Ed Benson (June 2001)
- Simple Instructions for Headlight Relay Installation - Robert Laposta (June 2001)
- Tail Light Bulb Upgrade - BMWDUCMAN@aol.com (January 1998)
Starter
- Fix (Clean!) a Balky Starter - Don Hamblin (February 1998)
- Still more Starter Cleaning Info - Eric Eason (November 2001)
- More Starter Repair Info - Tom Coradeschi (September 2001)
- Starter Electrical Problems - Richard Meltz (April 1998)
- Starter Mechanical Problems - Niel Manson (January 2001)
- Starter Relay Problems - Tom Coradeschi (October 1999)
- Starter Relay Problems - Patrick Barney (September 2000)
Switches
- Bypassing the K1100 Sidestand Switch - Bruce Keahey (January 2001)
- Cleaning the K Bike Ignition Switch - "Mr Bill" Wagaman
- Headlight Switch Repair/Cleaning - Don Eilenberger (April 1998)
- More on Headlight Switch Cleaning - Leo Horishny (September 1998)
- More yet on Headlight Switch Cleaning - Chris Bell (October 1999)
- Even more yet on Headlight Switch Cleaning - Paul C (July 2005)
- Ignition Switch Disassembly - Stuart Scott (April 1995)
Fuel/Ignition Systems
- Adjust an early K100 Throttle Cable - Tom Coradeschi (July 1994)
- Adjusting the L-Jetronic airflow meter on a 2-Valve K-bike - Rob Lentini
- Aftermarket Fuel Pump Installation - Jeff Dunkle (July 2004)
- Backfires - Rob Lentini, Paul Glaves (September 1995)
- Change the Fuel Filter - Bob Anundson (August 1995)
- Fuel Injection Pressure Measurement - Clarence Dold (March 1999)
- Fuel Problems & Port Fuel Injection - Larry Cann / BMW Orlando (August 1995)
- Gas Tank Leak Diagnosis - Philip Whitton (November 2001)
- Intermittent Engine Cutout Problem Solving - Don Eilenberger (June 2001)
- Oxygen Sensor Diagnosis - Nils Powell (January 2001)
- Remove your Gas Tank - Bryan Lally (August 1995)
- Early K100 Gas Tank Removal - Don Eilenberger (November 1998)
- Remove the Fuel Tank Flap for extra fuel capacity - Scot Marburger (August 1994)
- Rough Idle When Cooling Fan Runs - Chris Thomson (January 2001)
- Set the Timing on a K75 - David Parker (Rob Lentini method)
- Set the Timing on a K100 - David Parker (Steve Burford method)
- Set the Timing on a K100 - Greg Amy (January 2000)
- Setting L-Jetronic Injectors without a Exhaust Gas Analyzer - Rob Lentini
- Throttle Position Switch Problem Solving - Mogens Petersen (November 2001)
Drivetrain
- Changing the Final Drive Ratio on your K - Rob Lentini (November 1995)
- Easy Final Drive Removal - Anton Largiader (Updated July 2005)
- Final Drive and Driveshaft Spline Photos - Brent Jass (March 2002)
- Final Drive Failure Post-Mortem Photos - (June 2000)
- Final Drive Ring Gear Oil Seal Replacement - John McClellan (July 2001)
- Input Shaft (Clutch) Spline Lube - Bryan Lally
- Input Shaft (Clutch) Spline Lube - Dan Patzer (June 2000)
- K1100 Vibration Fixes - Peter Cooke (August 2001)
- K100 Vibration Fixes - Don Eilenberger
- Moly Spline Lube Data Point - Frank Glamser (August 1999)
- Driveshaft Spline Lube - Ben Zaborowsky,Tony Thomas, Jon Diaz
- Rebuilt Driveshaft Splines - Bertrand Vogel (June 2001)
- Spline Lube Checklist - Deryle Mehrten (August 2000)
- Tail Pipe Rattle - Tom Coradeschi (July 1994)
Suspension
- Checking Wheel Alignment - Rob Lentini (March 1995)
- Early K Fork Noise Fix - Michael Pabst (August 1999)
- Early K100RS Handling Upgrades - Svein Berli (September 2000)
- Front End Wobble Diagnosis - Don Eilenberger (May 1999)
- Front Wheel Bearing Replacement - Jack Gilbert (January 2001)
- K1200RS Shock Tuning - James Pellenbarg (November 1998)
- K75 Fork Tuning - Scott Conary (September 2000)
Accessories
- Autocomm Installation on a K1200LT - Jim Beard (April 2001)
- Fuel+ Installation Notes - Peter Bansen (April 2001)
- Install a BMW Alarm on your K75 - Scott Hiles (February 1996)
- Install Cruise Control on a K1100LT - Drake Smith (July 2005)
- Installing Fork Gaiters on a BMW K75 - Rick Korchak (March 2002)
- Installing Gaiters on your K-Bike - Jon Diaz (February 1996)
- Installing a Staintune Exhaust on a K1200RS - Bill Wright (October 1999)
- Re-Key your own Integral Cases - Jon Diaz (January 1995)
- Re-keying K-bike saddlebags - Tom Coradeschi
- Re-keying topcase and saddlebag lock cylinders - Brian Curry
- Retro-Fit Heated Grips to your K - Frank Sturzaker (March 1999)
- Tips on Installing K1100 Heated Grips - Ted Verrill (March 1999)
- Top Case Installation - John Brown (May 1999)
Modifications
- 12 Hour Clock Mod - Joe Senner (1994) (Updated October 2007)
- Adding Tie-Downs to your Saddlebags - Cary Stotland (August 2000)
- Adding Knee Pads to a K1100LT - Niel Manson (March 1999)
- Calibrating a Sigma Bicycle Speedometer - Lance Haysom (November 2001)
- Dyno Runs & Results for K100 (air filter, mixture, timing) - Don Eilenberger
- Dyno Runs with Luftmeister Exhaust on K100 - Don Eilenberger (March 1999)
- Electric Windshield Installation on K75RT - Anton Largiader (August 1998)
- Heat-Related Mods I - Don Eilenberger (September 1998)
- Heat-Related Mods II - Cary Stotland (September 1998)
- Increasing Gas Tank Volume - Ed Milich (November 2001)
- Installing a Fuel Cell on a K1100LT - Norm Grills (July 2001)
- Installing a Trek Bicycle Speedometer - Robert Novielli (January 2001)
- Installing "C" bars on K75S - Ted Verrill
- K1200LT Seat Modifications - Will Card (November 2001)
- K1200RS Tranny Drain Plug Seal - James Pellenbarg (April 1998)
- K75RS Conversion - Sean Reid
- K75RT Conversion - Anton Largiader (Updated July 2005)
- K-Bike Heat Fix - "Dr. Bob"
- K-RT Foot Warmers - Brian Curry (April 1998)
- Lowering a K-Bike - Rob Lentini
- Performance Modifications for a K bike - Rob Lentini
- Sidestand Switch Bypass - Bruce Keahey (June 2000)
- Solid Mount Upgrade for K1100s Handlebars - Bruce Keahey (June 1998)
- The "Protector" - Ken Bowen (October 2007)
- Wider Rims for Early K's - Mac Kirkpatrick (March 1999)
- Windscreen Spacers for K100/K75 Standard Bikes to Reduce Buffeting - Rick Korchak (July 2001)
Other
- Early K Rattle Fix - Greg Hertel (April 1998)
- Early K100 Centerstand Repair - Don Hamblin (November 1998)
- Fairing Removal from a K75RT - Drake Smith (July 2005)
- K100 Restoration - Bert (October 2007)
- K1200RS Tips - Larry Wilbers (January 2001)
- K1200RS "Bulletin Board" - Vic Salemme (July 2000)
- Straighten Your Bent Sidestand - Don Hamblin (April 1998)
- Support Structure for your K-Bike (spline lubes, etc) - Don Eilenberger (September 1997)
Flying Brick Website
Finest Year (1985) K-Bike Purchase FAQ - Don Eilenberger (November 2001)
K100 FAQ - Brian Brumfield (Updated October 2007)
K Bike History at totalmotorcycle.com
Anton Largiader's Tech Site
Anton has a ton of experience with a variety of BMWs, and shares a wealth of info in this well-organized site.
Chris Harris YouTube Videos
Chris ran Affordable Beemer Service in New Hampshire, a well-respected shop, for a number of years, and has a bunch of instructional videos for all 1970-on beemers on YouTube. Informal, profane and informative, you can learn a lot about common maintenance procedures from him. For example, look at his video on the K1100LT.
Page Owned By: Tom Coradeschi