Not entirely sure where I'm going with this, but I can tell already that this bike is going to take a lot more work than the K75S ever has. I'm not very mechanically minded but eager to expand my knowledge and understanding and I guess hoping for help where its available.

Decided to start the clean up by getting the slipstream deflector off during my lunchbreak and even that is not going well.  Front bolts were a bit corroded but did come off allowing me to unclip the indicators and get the front off. Took it back inside to take the defector off and clean it, but bolts are rusted to the nuts and the heads rounded. Can't seem to get the damn thing off without drilling it. Which is more than I can manage in my lunchbreak at work without a drill. Need to also go get some replacement nuts and bolts it seems.

Anyway great start 🤨

Today has not been a success. Front came home with me and bike stayed behind.

Okay need some advice please. Managed to drill out the corroded deflector bolts and accidentally drilled my palm too when it went through unexpectedly . Got the front back on anyway and it's looking much nicer with fresh steel I got from the marine yard. Managed to ride it back home finally and its at least moving. The sitting position isn't as nice as my K75s though. Hunched further forward isn't so nice for me with a bad back. I presume the 75 has longer handlebars? Think I once heard that there can be issues with the length of cables etc when trying to put bigger bars on... anyone with experience able to let me know what to expect if I switch them?

All depends which model you are talking about.  The 75C along with the RT has longer bars and cables.  The 75S/100RS will be the same size bars and cables which should be similar to the '83 K100.  Then there is the oddball 75T which can have the large perspex fairing which I think has the longer bars as well.  

C bars are like hens teeth nowadays although there is an alternative.  Munich motorcycles here in Oz stocks LUCAS Touring Low handlebars (22mm) which are a suitable style.  Recently we fitted a set to a K100 Basic with the longer cables.  You will also need the longer upper front brake line to the RH switchgear, if the front brake line is routed through the steering head.  

Also you may be able to adjust the handles bars so they are higher.  Twisting the bars slightly upwards or fitting spacers to the bar mounting points may do the trick.  

Hope this helps.

The K75T has C bars. It's just a K75C with a K100 headlight surround and the big handlebar mounted windscreen. BMW NA did that to make it a better K75 for touring before the K75RT came out in 1990.

A K75S has a different throttle cable and choke cables than the C or standard but has the same 1510mm clutch cable as the C and standard.

All of the RT/LT models have longer cables than came on the non-RT/LT models.

Flanders also makes 22mm handlebars.

Thank you so much guys. I thought I'd said so, but if not, the one I was referring to that I find more comfortable is my 1994 K75S, pictured. Just thinking about it, though the chap I purchased that from had said the only two non original BMW parts on it were a taller screen and wider handlebars. Had forgotten about the non original bars until now.

Oh and I guess a picture of the K100 would help too, but I haven't any clear ones right now. Just this. Will revert when I have some that might help with the sort of position I'd prefer

TJ wrote: Just thinking about it, though the chap I purchased that from had said the only two non original BMW parts on it were a taller screen and wider handlebars. Had forgotten about the non original bars until now.

Right. That isn't the original S handlebar. It could be a C bar or an RT bar. The cables for an RT bar will work with a C bar but not with an S bar. Measure your bar and compare it with these photos from Max BMW. The upper one is an RT; the lower one is a C.

Will do. Based on what you say, thinking it must be an RT bar or something else altogether as when I asked if he'd had to fit new cables he said they all fit as was. Much obliged.

Guess it might also be worth me asking since this is the first K100 I've ever owned or worked on.... do these look like the original bars too? Absolutely clueless on what it would have rolled out the factory looking like

Those look like C bars.

It's kind of hard to tell from those pics but the upper bend in the second pic looks more like RT bars to me.

C bars:


RT bars:

Quick update. Found a decently priced set of RT bars and will look to put in