BMW K75. Worth it? | Page 2 | GTAMotorcycle.com

BMW K75. Worth it?

"Not running" is worth a whole lot less than "running". "Not running" - especially "not cranking over" - is worth what you could sell it for in parts minus your time and labour to part it out, in case it's beyond repair. I have no idea of what the market is like for parts from those. No one is going to pay big money. If it can't be seen and heard running, I'm thinking ballpark $500 each.

If the seller is confident, then they would put in the effort to demonstrate that they are runners. If that's what happens, great. Otherwise ... If the price is cheap enough to be worth it in parts, maybe you can just take a chance on it. If the seller wants "runner" money then perhaps you need to find out if it actually will ... Bring booster cables and a gas can. A look (and sniff) inside the fuel tank will tell you a lot.
 
Brian P said:
"Not running" is worth a whole lot less than "running". "Not running" - especially "not cranking over" - is worth what you could sell it for in parts minus your time and labour to part it out, in case it's beyond repair. I have no idea of what the market is like for parts from those. No one is going to pay big money. If it can't be seen and heard running, I'm thinking ballpark $500 each.

If the seller is confident, then they would put in the effort to demonstrate that they are runners. If that's what happens, great. Otherwise ... If the price is cheap enough to be worth it in parts, maybe you can just take a chance on it. If the seller wants "runner" money then perhaps you need to find out if it actually will ... Bring booster cables and a gas can. A look (and sniff) inside the fuel tank will tell you a lot.
Click to expand...
Agreed. The $1000 mark is where I will be as long as those things check out. He claims they dont run but hasn't done anything more than turn the key and push the button. He assures me that all of the bikes where running when parked. They belonged to his father who was a Bmw enthusiast. He has 5 bikes he is looking to sell just cant be bother to try to get them running.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using GTAMotorcycle.com mobile app
 
The 650 and the toaster tank are both desirable bikes to a BMW enthusiast.
But if somebody wants to pull the fenders and call it a cafe racer I hope they don't get either of those motorcycles.
 
The 650ls is probable an 83. Because they were designed by Hans Muth (Suzuki Katana) they are somewhat collectible.
The 750 is an attempt at a sidecar rig. Looks like it has extended forks. A proper sidecar swap would have earles forks. Most people would find the airheads more desirable.
Once again, parts will be $$$$$.
 
The K75 is a great bike, reliable like an appliance. That's what these bikes are called Bricks. The blue is (maybe) 1990 standard K75RS. The black is (maybe) an earlier 1986 or 1987 K75T with a Corbin seat and Wulf fairing. Those are perfect the way they are and should be preserved. These are gorgeous bikes to ride, smooth s silk with a turbine-like sound. They eat up the kilometres and the engine can run at near redline all day without a problem. Buying them to convert to a cafe would be sacrilege.

The non-runner condition is most likely electrical and an easy fix. The owner would have had to be abusive on the engine to seize it so I'll assume there is nothing wrong with the engine and transmission. Don't crank the engine over unless there is a fresh fully charged battery in the bike. Trying to turn the engine over (assuming it does) with a weak battery could result in a welded starter relay. Here is a link to a page that will help you when looking over these bikes:

In any case, your offer off $1000 is low. These bikes are popular cafe platforms and that raises their value in the current market. See what you can do.

If you have questions, I can answer them because I know these bikes inside and out.
 
Last edited:
Worst problem you might run into is bad fuel. If they were stored for a long time without draining the fuel tank, the old fuel turning to varnish wreaks havoc withe the fuel pump and fuel injection system. Alcohol bearing fuels also destroy the fuel pump rubber vibration damper, melting it into a rubbery tar-like goo. Ask me how I know ?
So open the gas tank and have a smell - if it smells like gasoline you should be good to go. If it smells like varnish, you might have a big job ahead of you - and possibly a $300 to $500 parts bill depending on if you go OEM or aftermarket. Take a flashlight and have a good look inside.
Also be prepared for worn driveshaft and clutch splines, which is also a very costly repair and not uncommon if regular lubrication has not be performed. $1000+ to fix this. Google BMW 75 spline lube to learn more.
Some of the previous comments are spot on - probably the best bike BMW ever made - smooth as silk (there’s a video somewhere of one running with a nickel balanced on edge on top of the fuel tank), dependable, bulletproof engines, not a lot of character, can grow to be boring. I’ve had three - a “C”, an “S” and an ”RT”. Bought back my “‘86 C” a couple years ago after having sold it in’94 - still purrs like a kitten.
 

Attachments

  • 9D2C85CC-6AF5-43F1-93E3-2A0384E864AA.jpeg
    9D2C85CC-6AF5-43F1-93E3-2A0384E864AA.jpeg
    115.5 KB · Views: 9
Spot on Mike. OP, don't shy away from a good deal on these bikes. They are easy to work on and very well engineered, over-engineered in fact. The K-bike has more in common with an automobile than a motorcycle - Bosch fuel injection, electronic ignition, water cooled engine, counter-balance shaft, single plate dry clutch, separate oil reservoir for engine oil, separate 5-speed transmission, drive shaft, rear differential, electronic instruments, and so on. In fact, there is a list of replacement parts that are readily available at aftermarket auto parts dealer that replace oem parts.

FYI, check the blog link in my signature to see how I modded my K-bike.
 
robmack said:
Spot on Mike. OP, don't shy away from a good deal on these bikes. They are easy to work on and very well engineered, over-engineered in fact. The K-bike has more in common with an automobile than a motorcycle - Bosch fuel injection, electronic ignition, water cooled engine, counter-balance shaft, single plate dry clutch, separate oil reservoir for engine oil, separate 5-speed transmission, drive shaft, rear differential, electronic instruments, and so on. In fact, there is a list of replacement parts that are readily available at aftermarket auto parts dealer that replace oem parts.

FYI, check the blog link in my signature to see how I modded my K-bike.
Click to expand...
No signature shown?

When I picked up my k75, I thought there was no way it was as effortlessly fast as the speedo indicated. Recalibrated with a fluorescent trouble light and I was right. Speedo was off by miles. Similar issue pulling out of the dealership with the ape except the speedo was correct in that case.
 
Wingboy said:
The 650ls is probable an 83. Because they were designed by Hans Muth (Suzuki Katana) they are somewhat collectible.
The 750 is an attempt at a sidecar rig. Looks like it has extended forks. A proper sidecar swap would have earles forks. Most people would find the airheads more desirable.
Once again, parts will be $$$$$.
Click to expand...
I'm sorry which bike appears to have extended forks?. I'm not second guessing you just trying to learn as much as I can before going to look them over. These bikes where owned by enthusiast and there is a truck load of parts and accessories. He might have the originals.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using GTAMotorcycle.com mobile app
 
frozen said:
I'm sorry which bike appears to have extended forks?. I'm not second guessing you just trying to learn as much as I can before going to look them over. These bikes where owned by enthusiast and there is a truck load of parts and accessories. He might have the originals.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using GTAMotorcycle.com mobile app
Click to expand...
The toaster tank model with the weirdo kickstart. People put extended forks on them (just an inch or two) to help get them to go straight. Sidecars really mess up the handling with telescopic forks. Google "earles forks".
 
Wingboy said:
The toaster tank model with the weirdo kickstart. People put extended forks on them (just an inch or two) to help get them to go straight. Sidecars really mess up the handling with telescopic forks. Google "earles forks".
Click to expand...
By toaster tank I believe you are referring to the R1150? I was told it has a lowered rear suspension for his mother.IMG_3086.jpeg

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using GTAMotorcycle.com mobile app
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom