Themason

Gold member

Number of posts : 231
BMW sold a few K100 and K100RSs in the US in late 1984 as early release 1985 models. They were 49 state only bikes not legal for sale in California. They had the US required lights and reflectors, but were otherwise pure Euro-spec machines with no evaporative emissions equipment, the push button style gas cap with a big wide easy to use opening and no flap to fight, and most importantly the same 284 degree cams sold on K100s everywhere else in the world (except maybe Switzerland, but I don't know enough yet to say yea or nay).
Around April of 1985 BMW began selling a 50 state legal bike in the US (note: there was never a "California" model as such). These came with 256 degree cams, costing 7 horses and taking away some of the original top end rush. They also had a miserable gas cap with a narrow opening and a flap supposedly to minimize evaporative emissions. They also vented the gas tank into the engine through a check valve so you couldn't (supposedly) send raw gas into the crank case) and to prevent crank case pressure from pressurizing the tank. It could suck fumes from the tank but not blow back into the tank. Says right here in fine print!
Today, if you want to buy replacement cams from BMW for the K100, 284 degree cams is all they offer.
Correct on the K100 16V and K1100 cams. I have oft wondered what a K1100 with Euro spec K100 16V cams would be like. Now I have an idea. Helluva bike I bet.
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I live in a parallel universe but have a vacation home in reality :arrow:
1984 K-100RS Alaska Blue w/Parelever and 16V wheels.
1984 K-100RS Metallic Madison stock
1986 R-80G/S w/1000 cc engine
2007 Harley Davidson Street Rod Mirage Orange w/XR1200 wheels, Race Tech, True Track, Works Performance shocks
2007 Harley Davidson Street Rod Vivid Black stock
1993-ish K-100/1100RT/LT hemaphrodite frankenbike thingy to be painted satin black from a rattle can eventually