Buying my K75RT after 6 years, need service advise

[K75RT]

Hello,

In the last six years I had been living in Egypt, Turks & Caycos, and Belize teaching scuba diving. Now I am finally back in the USA. When I left I sold my 1992 K75RT ABS to my best friend with 12K miles, and in the last 6 years he done only 1000 miles. I now buying it back from him.
During the last 6 years my friend change the oil and filter and run the bike regularly in his garage, but it was never service by BMW. He just change the oil/filter, battery, and front tire.

I need to drive it from NC to TX (about 1500 miles trip), and I am wondering what you guys think about the need for service?
Also he had drop the bike and crack the faring, any advise for a place that can fix it and paint it?

Thank you,

Roni

[bikerfish1100]

sounds like the bike was stored indoors. i would want to know that the oil is fresh, and that the wheel bearings are good. probably brake and radiator flushes would be good ideas, check condition of greasable pivot points, and be sure cables are good. beyond that, should be fine. would be wise (and fun :D ) to give it a shakedown run locally before heading out for a longer trip- just to be sure it's running as it should.

[deilenberger]

Hello,

In the last six years I had been living in Egypt, Turks & Caycos, and Belize teaching scuba diving. Now I am finally back in the USA. When I left I sold my 1992 K75RT ABS to my best friend with 12K miles, and in the last 6 years he done only 1000 miles. I now buying it back from him.
During the last 6 years my friend change the oil and filter and run the bike regularly in his garage, but it was never service by BMW. He just change the oil/filter, battery, and front tire.

I need to drive it from NC to TX (about 1500 miles trip), and I am wondering what you guys think about the need for service?
Also he had drop the bike and crack the faring, any advise for a place that can fix it and paint it?

Thank you,

Roni

Has your friend put new fuel in the bike at least annually?

Old gasoline in the tank is very likely to gunk up the fuel-injection system, and just running the bike periodically in the garage isn't the cure for the problem.

Before trying to take a 1,500 mile home ride on the bike, I'd ask your friend to take the bike to a BMW dealer and have at least a complete service done on it.

As far as the cracked fairing - new parts are much too expensive, and there aren't too many people skilled in doing repairs. It is frequently more cost effective to look for good used parts and then have them painted to match the bike.

Best,

[username]

i hope you realize that you *rule* for going to get it and ride it home, vs. renting a u-haul or something and putting it on a trailer. :thumb

i'd seriously consider putting new tires on it. i'd do a full bmw service, fresh fluids everywhere it's got fluids. spline lube maybe? i forget how to tell if you need one. others will chime in.

the advice to do a shakedown ride is very good. give yourself two days before you head back to austin (woooo!) and use the first day to ride the bike (after the service is done) and then the second day to either be happy that everything seems well, or to be in the shop getting whatever you need fixed, fixed. day 3, point southwest and fulfill your destiny.

oh, and welcome to austin. :D

[Cal]

You or your friend should have the full service performed at a dealer before you embark on a 1500 mi trip.

Try to make it as complete as possible, don't skimp and believe me when I say it will be money well invested.

Five years ago I purchased a 1992 K75 with 16K miles had the dealer go through it with a fine tooth comb and now it has 79K plus miles 300 shy of 80. And all without any problems just a busted radiator fan last summer.

Regards,

Cal Garcia
Sarasota, FL

[K75RT]

Thank you for all the great advise, I will give BMW to service it before the trip, and spend a day doing local riding.
I am planning of driving on the Natchez trail, I had been wishing to do it for years and this will be a great opportunity. I will take it nice and slow and do the ride in about 4 days.

[dlearl476]

Put gas in it and ride it. You'll know within a few miles if it's OK. Check the tires for cracking. Then go. I've stored my K off and on for periods of 1 mo-1year and never done anything other than put Stabil® in it when I remembered and charged the battery when I put it back on the road. As long as it didn't have crap gas put in it, it will be fine.
FWIW, the battery I put in in '98 just died. SEVEN YEARS! Amazing.