K75S project 'tart up a bit'

[pdg]

I've always had a little bit of a 'thing' for BMW bikes, mainly the boxers and in particular the airheads. I know this isn't either of those but a flat triple is still pretty unusual.

A few weeks ago I was having a discussion in chat (it's not all flames and insults y'know) about wanting to get one later this year but because of a limited budget probably having to wait until autumn when the price of bikes in general usually comes down a bit. It was then a fellow chatfog said "I've got a BMW going cheap"........ One thing led to another and without even seeing a photo of the bike (but having a few chats about it) I hitched up the trailer and went on a 412mile round trip to get it.

Following the insurance rants and sagas on here I though it the done thing to check how much it would be for me to insure before I got it - I think I can just about live with the quotes of under £60tpft I got, especially as I don't have any no claims.

I got home Sunday night having had this following me all the way back:

https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/pdg555/k75s/first_zpsa950c78b.jpg

A few jobs immediately obvious to attend to, the seat being one but this is what happened after a bit of a wash...

https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/pdg555/k75s/washed_zps1c9254c8.jpg

And, a bit of a before and after on what I believe to be the original (so 25 year old) exhaust

https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/pdg555/k75s/before4_zpsfa58b494.jpg

https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/pdg555/k75s/after4_zps7f413745.jpg

Guess that's what happens when a manufacturer decides to outfit a bike with a full stainless system from the factory...

So now the plan is to tidy it up a bit, fix one or two little issues and get out on it - I would MOT it, but there seems little point as the current one doesn't run out for 6 months.

All in all I'm pleased with it and as I do things I'll update this thread. I might even shove on some more before and after the wash pics too.

[devojunior]

well how much ? it looks comfy but not my cup of tea. looks pretty solid and original.

[moppy]

I really like these BMWs. Old, battered BMW tourers do have a certain charm. Will be following this thread with interest.

Is this gonna be the bare minimum to get it back on the road or are you tarting it up with shiny new paint etc? It looks remarkably good for quite an old bike.

[pdg]

Well the bare minimum to get it on the road would be to fit a new expansion tank hose, insure it and tax it... I've gone over and above that already by giving it a rub down

Everything works, even (unusually) the speedo etc. There's a few other little bits on the to-do list for later, but I'll detail those when I get around to it.

As for the 'how much' question, let's just say there's a 2, a 5 and a 0 in the figure... If you can't figure that out, then it's a secret.

To be continued.........................

[pdg]

Had a look at the expansion tank hose - could only get fuel grade in the correct bore size but it fits and it'll work just fine so I started to get it fitted. Had to move the petrol tank (because the radiator cap and hose connections are under it) and found the fuel hose was looking a bit well used as well...

https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/pdg555/k75s/PICT0783_zps60c15e55.jpg

I wondered why there was a bit of a whiff of petrol sometimes - that'll be why.

It's only the return line that's bad, but while I'm in there it seems sensible to just replace the lot. So I started getting the fuel lines out and the return line passes between the plenum chamber and air box. Didn't think it would be much of an issue to pass the pipe through, but wiggling one end didn't move the other - time to check the manual...

Turns out the pressure regulator is tucked in there too:

https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/pdg555/k75s/PICT0786_zps079524e0.jpg

Can you see the regulator?

https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/pdg555/k75s/PICT0785_zps32bc61c3.jpg

How about now? Talk about a pig to get to... These pipes haven't been replaced from new I reckon - still had the crimped hose clamps, not jubilee clips.

Still, not a huge problem - snip off crimps, replace pipe, job's a good'un. Only slight issue is to make enough room for tools and hands you have to make the bike look like this:

https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/pdg555/k75s/PICT0782_zpsf5bc856a.jpg

https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/pdg555/k75s/PICT0784_zps3d862b91.jpg



I could've got away with taking slightly less off, but I wanted to fix a couple of the fairing mounting lugs while I was there.

Also, I was sure I had more pipe... And a load of the right size jubilee clips... Looks like it's shopping time.

Now all I have to do is get it all back together - then find out I have to take it all apart again to fix the next thing

[pdg]

New fuel and water lines are all on and not leaky, which is a better situation.

Fairing is still off though - I ran out of light so that'll be 'fixed' and refitted later...

If anyone really wants any pictures of hoses/lines fitted then you'll have to ask - it really didn't look very interesting

[pdg]

Suppose it's time for a bit of an update as I've done stuff.

The seat had definitely seen better days:

https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/pdg555/k75s/PICT0788_zpsa1d35468.jpg

So, a trip into town to visit the fabric shop saw me buying some vinyl/leatherette type stuff. A while of pulling and gluing and I ended up with this:

https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/pdg555/k75s/PICT0799_zps7a45f1d1.jpg

I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out, cost me £3.74 for enough material to do 2 seats this size. It's thinner material than the original so may not last as long but for the price...

Another thing that needed a coat of looking at was the winscreen. There was a big chunk missing from one side where it got dropped during an attempted (and thwarted) theft.

https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/pdg555/k75s/PICT0795_zps6c7ae773.jpg

Rather than spend a bucket of money buying a new one I thought I'd cut it down a bit to even it out. Anyone who's tried cutting perspex type plastic before will know how much it loves to split and crack if you try sawing it (tiniest bit of swarf catches on the blade and it splits out) especially if it's a bit old - secret is to drill a few holes around the cut line like this -

https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/pdg555/k75s/PICT0796_zps1a25fdc6.jpg

If you can get all the holes to almost meet then it's simple to snap off the bit you don't want. It looks really yellowed in these pics, but out in daylight it's pretty much alright enough.

Anyway, after a bit of filing and sanding the edge and fitted it doesn't look too bad or out of place.

https://i834.photobucket.com/albums/zz267/pdg555/k75s/PICT0798_zpsafb02fbc.jpg

Well, I think that's about it for now - more to come as I get around to it...

[GreyFox]

[blurredman]

Looking good!!! Now go for a nice long ride damn you!
____________________
CBT: 12/06/10, Theory: 22/09/10, Module 1: 09/11/10, Module 2: 19/01/11
Past: 1991 Honda CG125BR-J, 1992 (1980) Honda XL125S, 1996 Kawasaki GPZ500S, 1979 MZ TS150.
Current: 1973 MZ ES250/2 - 18k, 1979 Suzuki TS185ER - 10k, 1981 Honda CX500B - 91k, 1987 MZ ETZ250 (295cc) - 40k, 1989 MZ ETZ251 - 51k.

[pdg]