I may be picking up another bike in the next couple of days...
Need to check if it would fit the storage shed before I make the final decision, though.
I may be picking up another bike in the next couple of days...
Need to check if it would fit the storage shed before I make the final decision, though.
In reply to BoxheadTim:
You sound like you are hiding this one from SWMBO
Motorcycle or bicycle? 
In reply to Sine_Qua_Non:
Hehe, no. She knows about the bike and approves - we wanted another tourer since I sold the Harley and this one does fit the bill. It's a low mileage BMW K1100LT, I've had several K bikes before and know my way around them, which is good.
The shed measurement is necessary because we don't really have enough room in the garage anymore and I don't want to leave it outside in this climate, so I have to be able to put it into the shed with the other bikes.
Oh, and I need to find out of there's anybody local who do a clutch spline lube on it and how much that's going to cost me. It's a pretty large amount of work and I'm not sure I want to do it myself unless I can figure out a way to hang the back of the bike off the garage's roof joists. Ks seem to be built around the gearbox, so it's a pain taking it out. However it's even more of a pain in the wallet not to do that and then have to replace the gearbox input shaft. Don't ask me how I know.
clutchsmoke wrote: Motorcycle or bicycle?
I don't really do bicycles, although a recent discussion with my orthopedic surgeon suggests that this should change.
That silly spline lubrication task is the reason I don't own a K bike. Kind of defeats the purpose of not having a chain. Cool bike aside from that.
I'm a bit surprised that they haven't figured out a way to eliminate that problem yet. It's not like its all that different from an automotive or goldwing clutch.
Just curious, do Guzzi's require similar periodic spline lube?
BTW, I've done a couple of spline lube jobs on air cooled R bikes, it wasn't a bad job, just time consuming. I'm sure the newer K bikes are a different story.
All I can say about looking at cragslists is good damn luck avoiding that site.
In reply to HappyAndy:
On the 1100, it's still "just" a time consuming job. On a K1200LT, it makes you want to shoot yourself (they're a pain in the posterior to work on) but on the 1100, it's just the time to pull the whole rear of the bike (and somehow securing the bike because there isn't a full frame).
BTW, apparently on Guzzis it's considered a good idea to do the occasional spline lube, too.
And... did you get it? Where are the pics?
I got it pending a test ride, which I'll do in the next couple of days. When I looked at the bike there was snow and ice on the ground (including in front of the seller's garage) so it wasn't a particularly good day to ride the bike.
No kidding right? How am I supposed to resist this $350 LeMons car???
pinchvalve wrote: No kidding right? How am I supposed to resist this $350 LeMons car???
easily! I am pretty sure the cage needs redone (back stays look VERY low!). That alone is enough to pass on this beast.
Somebody asked for pictures?
Here you go:
It's got some scratches and paint damage, this is probably the most obvious part:
Everything suggests that this is indeed the correct mileage. It's done 3400 miles since 2001.
Still has the paint markers on the connectors and all that:
And this is how badly the paint is faded on some panels - compare the right panel with the tail section, this is not a trick of the light.
Current plan is to use it for a little while and if it's a keeper, I'll have the bodywork repainted next winter. I've owned one before, but a higher mileage one so I'm pretty sure it's a keeper, but I want to make sure that it's really mechanically good and the wife and I can properly tour on it before I drop the coin for a respray.
It's had a fair number of new parts recently (battery, fuel pump, front tire - I have to check the rear to see if it's not too old from a manufacturing date perspective.
Needs some basic servicing like another engine oil change, brake fluid change and most likely a coolant change. I'm guessing it's probably still running the original coolant from the 90s. There are a couple of smaller issues that I'd like to fix, too, like the non-working cruise control/throttle lock (I don't like those, so I'll just put an OEM bar end weight on), the overly quiet radio (not that I use it much) and some general tidying.
I also remembered how good the weather protection is on them - Mr AllTheGearAllTheTime here was wearing jeans when riding back instead of proper motorcycling pants and I was still warm in 45F weather.
In reply to BoxheadTim:
I really like that! I need to ride one.
That is a really nice looking bike!
Ride safely.
http://marketplace.ibmwr.org/
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