That's my model. Chris is the best BMW specialist on the planet. He gives free master mechanic classes on RU-vid. Who else gives their time to teach like he does.
I’m wondering if you have a video on repair or replace the Hall effect sensor. Maybe a video on the problems a bad HES. My 94 k1100ltse with about 70,000 miles has been acting up bad. I think it must be the HES but nobody seems to have any videos.
As an aside I do remember taking the bike for it's first service at the supplying BMW dealer, I was shocked to have to pay out for new shims(or whatever they are called) in the valve train, from memory about five or six needed replacing, it wasn't uber expensive, but I was surprised they needed changing considering the bike had only done 600 or 1000 miles! How could they have been incorrectly set when it left the factory? cheers tony
More likely your valve clearances were not in need of adjustment but your bank account was! LOOSE is good and to find a tight clearance on a 16 valve (K1, 4V K100RS, K1100RS & LT) is rare. Don't fret. I was once hosed at the dealer for an unnecessary valve clearance adjustment too back in 1992.
I always wondered what the small clip on the right hand fairing pocket cover was for. but on my K1100LT it is something i will never use because i removed the radio and i use the left side pocket for extra storage.
This was my dream bike when i was still in my teens. It made me want a BMW so bad. Now riding an R1150RT, bit different, but enjoying every second of it. Keeping the old lady in best shape possible, riding her long and far, all year ofcourse.Standstill is death for these bikes. They were made to be ridden for long distances.Going out for gas is always ending up being away from home for 3+ hours and having to put gas in it again, LOL! Gonna put new front discbrakes and pads overall on my RT in 3000 km's That, plus a total flush and new brake oil for the ABS system and new braided steel lines.
Hi Chris. Thanks for the video. I could see you struggling to think of the weak points. 130000 and still as good as that. Mmmm. Speaks volumes. I think the most common engine format I have seen you working on has been the boxer. When I see you giving attention to the 4Cylinder LT, I wonder will I ever see you take on a 1200 GT from 2006 onwards (K44, Slant four). Have you a dislike for those more recent models?
I have a long wonderful history with K bikes. While you are correct about seeing mostly boxers in my shop it is because these old K bikes need such little attention that they do not need to visit me as often as oilhead models. I will never work on 2005+ models. Dislike would be the polite word, I guess. I'll save that for a future rant. Thanks for writing.
That one is exactly lke mine which is a 1996, same color - Aspen Silver - same as on many BMW cars of 1980s and 90's. My bike now has 101,xxx miles and runs really good. However I have noticed a bit of rear wheel play at 9 to 3 o'clock while grabing the tire. Bmw of Las Vegas will replace the bearing and misc tor $732.00. ...such a deal...
Hi there and greatings from Denmark. I love your BMW videos and i am thinking of buying a 1992 K 1100 LT with 68000 miles on it. No rust and no leaks anywhere. Used to belong to and old rich guy that could afford the services at the BMW shop. However, I have never had a BMW motorcycle before, only Japanese ones but I am going to change the coolant, sparkplugs, gearoils and motoroil myself on the K bike. About the gearoils and the motoroil, as I understand the BMW takes normal car oil and not the mc oils with the JASO thing and the gear oil should be a SAE 80-90 type. As for the engine oil i plan on using a 20W-50 mineral oil without the JASO rating. Is that okay or should i use something different for engine or gear oils? Sorry for the misspelling, but its been over 40 years since i had English in school. Best regards from Denmark and take care and do stay safe.
Chris I am getting ready to go buy a 1995 BMW K1100LT , it's got 195,000 miles on it!!! But the guy that I'm buying it from' is the original owner, he has all the paperwork from where he has had it rebuilt, and more than one time, with the last time being in 2020. The guy is 82 years old, and I totally trust him at his words. I am traveling over 160 miles to pick it up, and I will ride it back so that will be a good little test ride! I will let you know how it works out, but I wanted to ask you if there is, or ever will be, a collectors market for one of these bikes In your own opinion?
Great channel man, thanks for all the info. I've got an 85 K100RS I bought right after a divorce in 2011 that I rebuilt the water/oil pump on, replaced the rear main & way over lubricated the splines. A buddy rode it for a while because 1) I'm a little guy & I just don't fit the bike without crazy back pain & 2) I picked up & have been riding a very clean 02 Buell S3T with big ass bags in 2012 I've been riding since. Tomorrow I'm heading to eastern Mass to check out a 94K11LT with 72xxx on it & thanks to you & my 85KRS, I have a hell of a lot better idea of what I need to be looking for this time around. Thanks again man, looking forward to learning more from your videos.
Nice work Chris. I need your advice on something not really relating to this review but I respect your advice. Inherited a 93 R100GSPD a couple of years ago. I had it running and have ridden it for a couple of thousand miles. It's rough around the edges but it's such a cool bike I'm thinking of investing a few grand and making it my main bike. I've started doing some of the work myself but from your experience with these what are your thoughts. I know of the problems with the shaft, the circle was done and it sucks fuel like a pig but I love the bike. Thanks Chris and take care.
Wow, I own the same bike but of 1992 year. Had a great trip in Europe this year about 10000 km (about 6000 miles) and this horse did not require any attention (only feed with oil from time to time) :) After winter service will continue riding this wonderful vehicle with a great pleasure.
I've owned my 95 lt for 3.5 years and never knew you could snap the radio cover to the right cover. LOL the radio sucks and I have a blue tooth helmet so I don't us the radio much and contemplating removing. I do have a earlier glove boxes with the spring loaded clip for the covers. Has anybody wired the volume control to run the wind screen?
The over-priced, out-dated when released Clarion radio had the reception range of a Sony walkman with weak batteries. I will refrain from mentioning the cassette disposal slot. Take it out and reduce weight. I don't know about the volume shield!
I have taken the radio and its housing out of mine. Makes for a nice pocket. The only thing I miss is the cigar socket for my GPS. BTW, the radio is a POS.
@chris, I got the same issue with both front discs on my 85 k100RS. Is there a way to fix that or best would be just to replace them? Is that still safe to ride the bike if floating just a bit?
Sandr0N, the 85 did not have floating discs. Replace what is worn. They should not be floating unless they are floating rotors which your 85 did not come with. Good luck, Chris
Thank you Chris. I think it was your words of wisdom and a few from k11og that helped form my buyer's checklist a couple of years ago when I bought my K1100. It doesn't get any lighter and my legs don't get any longer but it is still the bike I'd choose to be on for a long-ish haul. Every time there's a cold snap, I bless those heated grips!
Scott, the one on the left handlebar? That is the faux 'choke' for cold starting. It does not enrich the fuel mixture, it just opens the throttle ever so slightly to assist in cold starting. Take care, Chris
That was very interesting Chris, I bought one of these new in 1996 here in the UK, I didn't keep it long, eventually went over to a new R1100gs. The LT was a big old beast but I distinctly remember how happy it was cruising at high speed, at 130 mph you could have taken your hands off the handlebars, it was incredibly stable and the buzzy motor was actually in it's element at higher speeds. The example you have there doesn't appear in too bad condition considering it's age and mileage. Always enjoy hearing your wisdom about these bikes, it's obvious you know them inside out, wish I had a mechanic like you here in the UK! cheers tony
If you have one and start experiencing starter issues my resolve was to hold the starter button down for 10 seconds . Do this often and your starter brushes will stay clean.
Thanks Chris for the video.I just bought a 1993 K1100lt a few days ago.Only had 19,121 miles on the clock.It sat in a garage all shiny and near new condition since 1995.Only drawback is the fork seals leak slightly and rear brake master cylinder is toast.I got sticker shock when I bought a new master cylinder.OMG!.It is kind of a rich mans toy to upkeep.I think it would be cheaper in the long run to have a complete running parts bike with parts at your disposal than to buy as needed from vendors who need a profit margin on top of the already high BMW prices.Great video!
Hello, vulveeta, you need to avoid the BMW dealer as much as possible. Check Beemer Boneyard first for new parts.www.beemerboneyard.com/ Enjoy your K1100LT and good luck, Chris
