Rolled the K100RS out of the garage today - first time in about 2 years!

I'm not sure this should be in a 'general classic motorcycle discussion' thread, but as it's 35 years old, I guess it could be?

I've been all Norton Commando for the past 2 years and my '90 K100RS 16v has sat in the corner of the garage slowly growing a light film of mould and generally becoming a handy shelf to put things on top of in the limited space of a single garage housing 3 bikes.

The other reason for its neglect is that the front master cylinder started leaking a couple of years ago and with an overhaul kit costing £50 that I could be spending on the Commando, I stalled, saved the money and simply parked the heavy old bugger.

Anyway, last week I thought I'd close off a few jobs and the brick was one of them. Had a look at the removed & cleaned up master cylinder/right hand assembly and felt confident that I'd get away with an overhaul kit rather than a complete new (£320) master cylinder (probably a 1/4 of the value of the bike) and ordered a kit from James Sherlock. It arrived today, and in the blazing afternoon sun, fitted the new piston, boot, diaphragm, etc., bled through the front m/c (via the big heavy old ABS pressure regulator), and am very happy to report that all is working as it should be. It started on the button first press (I pop it on an Optimate regularly) and took it for a 20 mile test ride (via the petrol station).

I'd forgotten how smooth these bikes are. And torque? Wow! It can roll along and pick up at 20mph in top (5th) without a grumble. Halfway into the ride, pulling away from a junction with the visor up, I managed to 'catch' a proper hefty fly using only my sclera. Pulling to the side to remove my glove to coax the monster out, a Dominos Pizza driver of surely no more than 14 years of age, slowed right down, wound his window down and with thumb up, shouted "beautiful bike mate". Funny old world.

Anyway, without going into a complete BMW K100RS 16v review, lets just say that I really enjoyed the short blast out on this old friend I've had since 2010. I'll probably do an oil change tomorrow and then I could honestly say I could throw the panniers & top box on and set off for Austria & Germany without a care in the world on this 'classic' bike.



Pre-wash & clean off photo. I removed the half on/half off knee grips and need to get the adhesive off the tank too.

I came close to buying a brand new brick, 1985. Freeman's Cycle in Beverly, MA

concours said:

I came close to buying a brand new brick, 1985. Freeman's Cycle in Beverly, MA

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This is my Fourth brick (first 16v).

But if it's your only bike and you like to tinker & fettle (don't we all?), it probably isn't the right bike for you. They're so bloody reliable

Does it have the Luftmeister exhaust?

concours said:

Does it have the Luftmeister exhaust?

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No, the stock pipe.

I had first year K100 RS a long time ago which I bought from the first owner. It rates as one of the worst bikes I've ever owned. A good mate of mine who is a BM fanatic has a 16v version which he loves. Apparently they are a massive improvement over the earlier 8v.

Had a K75 for a few years, put 75000 on it. A very reliable bike, as you mentioned - could load it up and ride anywhere at a moments notice in complete confidence. Had to have a new clutch at 50000, and a couple of rear suspension units over the years. Probably, in technical / engineering terms, the best bike I have ever had.

I was told that the original concept was a 900 triple, but it was subsequently decided to make a 1000cc four, then the 750 triple came a little later?