Hi all,
I have an opportunity (no licence for 6 months) to do some focussed work on my 85 K100 70,000 miles. 
Over the last 13k miles I’ve pretty much done everything in the I Just Bought a K article (Most of it 10k ago). 
Asking for pointers on the most effective (reliabilty / preventative) areas to possibly tackle in the downtime.
- Spal fan install
- cam chain and tensioner renewal
- efi food chain (temp sensors etc)
- I have an EDIT 88 86 engine in a box - which presumably has a 12 rivet output shaft
- gear box iro potential 2nd gear prob.
What’s worth doing speculatively? Nothing? At 70k miles have I some surprises round the corner?

- How about getting radical and converting to a 16v TPS and Motronic?
- Or a carb conversion?
Thoughts appreciated. Time is weighing heavy (if you discount the available, but undesirable, domestic opportunities).

Thanks team 

At 70k miles, I would venture that your bike is finally broken in and ready to ride another 50k or more.

If it is running well at the present, I would just do a complete fluid change, valve adjustment, splines, and brake job.  If you are really ambitious you can do a tear down and deep detailing of the whole bike bringing the cosmetics back to near new.  A good cleaning of the radiator cooling fins may be in order to flush out 70k of dead bugs.  It won't hurt to shoot all the electrical connections with Deoxit.

You might want to do some preventative things like cleaning the ignition and gear position switches. Might not be a bad time to check and possibly replace the steering head bearings.

Upgrades could include LED's in the instrument cluster, a Spal fan and manual fan switch.  Racetech cartridge emulators and springs will make the forks work better, and maybe an aftermarket shock in the rear.  How old are the brake lines?  You might want to install braided stainless replacements.

Thanks .75,
After 5 years immersed in the training of you and the rest of the team the only thing undone on that list are the head bearings and spal fan. (early on, Dai shamed me into making my own stainless lines!).
Theres no doubt that I’ve contained cosmetics to the minimum for practical considerations. In part as I have a sidecar attached, so stripping down to the bones is a bigger undertaking than usual). That is partly what drove the question in that getting to the rad and fan means I have opportunities which do not casually present themselves (such as the cam chain).
That said, I’m not looking for make work.
I’ll start the list with your suggestions, cheers mate.

I would suggest inspecting the cam chain and guides before making a decision to replace.  I have had two bricks with substantially more miles than yours that had perfectly good chain and guides.  It is an expense that you may be able to avoid.

Even with the rig, you should be able to remove most of the bodywork to get at the frame and wiring.  The rear loop under the tail cowl is a place where I have found a lot of rust on my bikes.  It's not an overly difficult job to clean it up and put some fresh paint on it and it makes you feel good to know that it looks nice under there.

A good wash on the wiring harness followed by shooting all the connectors with Deoxit followed by a little dielectric grease will go a long way toward reliable electrical functioning.

There is a product I have been using for over 25 years to clean and detail all my motorized stuff.  S100 Motorcycle Cleaner is amazing in how it can quickly remove many years of dirt from parts with minimal effort.  Together with a couple paint brushes and some sponges it will clean your bike close to showroom appearance.  Harley Davidson riders use it so you know it wont hurt the paint or metal finishes.

https://www.s100.com/portfolio/s100-total-cycle-cleaner/

tinyspuds wrote:Hi all,
I have an opportunity (no licence for 6 months) to do some focussed work on my 85 K100 70,000 miles. 
(...)
Thoughts appreciated.

I think the 'busa needs to go

I would also have the final drive off and clean, inspect and lubricate the drive shaft.  More so since you are running a chair.  

I will be doing mine again soon, once I am over covid.

Hi Tinyspuds

Your spare '86 engine, I'm thinking it will be the six rivet version, it's easy to find out by removing the crank cover. I'll call that a job you don't want to do unless you have to, and even then I'll call it a job you don't want to do.

You need to get a cask of rum and some whiskey to get you through the cabin fever.

daveyson wrote:Hi Tinyspuds

Your spare '86 engine, I'm thinking it will be the six rivet 

Typo. It’s actually an ‘88 engine in the box.

TacKler wrote:I would also have the final drive off and clean, inspect and lubricate the drive shaft.  More so since you are running a chair.  

I will be doing mine again soon, once I am over covid.

Thanks T, 4 or 5 times in the last 13K plus once at the clutch end when I replaced the friction and pressure plates (which is how I know what a pain it is to take the sidecar subframe off and work on it solo with no centre stand) which is what I need to do to get at the fan and cam chain. Hope you feel better soon.

Dai wrote:I think the 'busa needs to go

That would be a much cooler excuse than the actual mundane medical reason .🩺

Ah bum. And I thought I was such a smartass.

Dai wrote:Ah bum. And I thought I was such a smartass.

Oh, don’t worry, you were . After just 1 week, I’ll never risk losing my licence again. Already missed 1 rally - with another 2 planned up the Swanee. And its marginal whether I’ll make Bruges in May (and this is their last!).