Welcome. This blog is all about my efforts to resuscitate a 1985 BMW K100RS. From initial acquisition through restoration headaches through (hopefully) the eventual sport touring adventures with the restored bike I plan to document usefull lessons for others who find themself in a simliar situation.
The 1985 is the first model year that the K-Bike was introduced into the states. For years, BMW built their brand around the R-Bike, an opposed twin cyclinder bike that has been commonly referred to as the "boxer" configuration. The "boxer" nickname comes from the way a boxer would punch their gloves together before a fight, both hands coming into the center and then pulling back if that helps you visualize it.
Anyway, the FMY (first model year) 1985 K100 was a radical departure from the tried and true boxer. BMW decided to go from an opposed twin to an inline 4 cylinder and then chose to lay the engine on its side. (I'll avoid the temptation to describe it as "out of the boxer thinking" since that would be really cheezy and predictable.) The design of the early K-bikes led to the new nickname "Flying Brick" in reference to the shape of the engine laid on its side, combned with the sheer power and acceleration, While litre-bikes in the 100HP range are not big thing today, it 1985 this was a huge leap forward.
When the K100 was released in the USA it garnered a lot of attention and numerous awards. Since its introduction, owners of the bike have reported squeezing over 200,000 miles from the engine, a remarkable comment on the quality of the engineering and the passion of the owners who ride them.
What follows will be something of a diary of my experience with this terrific machine. Enjoy
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