Modifications for the K series

11/83

K100 and K100RS were presented

02/84

Recall: rear master brake cylinder with better moisture protection, rust-free bolt inside

04/84

Minor change of seat causes 20 mm reduced seat height

05/84

Additional ground cable for the front brake switch

06/84

Introduction K100RT

09/84

Switch for the gear display was sealed with Loctite to avoid moisture

10/84

Modified main stand (which was prone to cracking), improved fuel pump

04/85

Fuel warning: 7 litre-lamp was discontinued (this lamp will be used later as a ABS warning light), 4 litre-lamp was replaced by 5 litre-lamp, resistive sensor was superseded by a float sensor which could drive a fuel gauge (additional feature since 1986). Deflection of waste heat modified (RT/RS). Gearbox: Bearing of power output shaft was modified with a collar.

08/85

Presentation K75 C and K75 S

09/85

Introduction K75 S

10/85

K100:  Push button for gas tank cap was discontinued to avoid leakage. Through-shaped handle for the passenger moved from the seat to the seat lining. Side panel mounting was improved (the older one was prone to cracking). Modified foot rest plate. Revised gas tank mounting to avoid cracking.

01/86

Fuel tank: Return line superseeds check valve which caused noise. K75 C  was recalled to add a “Fluidbloc” damper to the steering.

02/86

Special edition: K100 RS “Motor sports” with radial tyres 100/90 VR 18 and 140/80 VR17, fork stabilizer (from K75) and black windscreen, foot rest plate and wheels. Painting: Perlmutt white with M-decoration. Edition limited to 1,000 bikes.

03/86

K100: Accelerator cable recalled due to chafing

05/86

K75 S was offered for sale. K75C: Extension spring of the rear drum brake was retrofitted with rubber sections to avoid cracking.

07/86

K75 C/S: Clutch hub was nickel-plated in order to reduce friction.

08/86

K100: Brake light switches (front and rear) with improved moisture protection

09/86

K100 LT and K75 Basic were offered. K75 S Special with spoiler and special painting available.

08/87

K100: Rear brake reservoir has been moved behind the side cover to avoid contamination. K75: Primary drive with revised gear rim to minimize gear noise.

09/87

Introduction K100 Basic Mk II. Fork shaft seals revised and secured by circlip to avoid leakage K 100 RS Special (limited edition) available, with black painting, grey seat cover, RS style stickers, sport suspension and owner´s name plate

10/87

K75 Basic retouched: Plug-in seat with reduced seat height of 760 or 800 mm by choice (previous version: 810 mm) Fuel tank equipped with knee pads.

11/87

K100: Models 10/85 to 03/87 recalled to interchange rear shock absorber (fastener was prone to cracking)

01/88

K75 S: Handlebar was broaden ten millimeters.

04/88

As the first motorcycle producer world wide, BMW offered an ABS for the K100/K75.

08/88

To avoid oil smoke when starting the cold engine, the pistons were "pinned" to prevent all the ring gaps lining up and oil draining into the combustion chamber. Exhaust cover with six instead of five mounting screws. Instrument panel was equipped with Gore-Tex diaphragm. K75/K75 C: Rear drum brake lining now asbestos-free.

09/88

Presentation K1 with four valve-engine. Nevertheless, the bike was offered not before 04/89. K100 RT was discontinued. K75C was not produced anymore (but was still offered as a discontinued model until 1990!) K75 S: Spoiler from the “special” series now as  a standard. All models now with modified front brakes, equipped with sintered metal brake linings (due to modified callipers not available for older models).

12/88

K75: Connecting rods from K1, slightly modified engine to minimize vibrations and increase revolution range.

08/89

K100 Basic Mk II was discontinued in Germany

09/89

K75 RT was put on the market (civil and authority version)

01/90

K 100RS now with K1 technology. K100 LT was nevertheless continued with the two-valve-engine.

09/90

As the first motorcycle producer world wide, BMW offered an catalytic converter with lambda control for a motorcycle (four valve-K models only). K100 RS “Limited Edition”. ABS now available for K75. K75 (Basic version) was equipped with K75 S fork, 17 inch rear wheel and rear disk brake. K75 S was equipped with three-spoke wheels like the K100 RS 16V, but different width.

10/91

Introduction K1100 LT, K100 LT was discontinued. K1 with ABS and catalytic converter (lambda control) as standard. New rear shock absorber for K100 RS. K75: catalytic converter available (not lambda-controlled), VDO-fuel pump and Showa front fork. Four-way flasher and clutch-controlled side stand became standard. Reduced angle of acceleration grip.

05/92

Recall for K100 RS / K1: Brake linings of 16V models may come loose if the bike was used under salty conditions.

09/92

K100 RS was superseeded by K1100 RS.

08/93

K1, as the last 1000cc model was discontinued. K75: alternator with 700 instead of 460 Watt .

09/93

Alternator with 700 instead of 460 Watt for all types, battery capacity now 19 instead of 25Ah. ABS was superseeded by ABS II which was more accurate. K1100 LT gets adjustable handlevers (four positions) like K1100 RS. K1100 RS gets fuel gauge, water thermometer and hard bag mountings as standard. K1100 LT Special Edition available, with stereo radio, ABS II, lambda controlled catalytic converter and back rest for passenger (29.108 DM)

05/95

K1100 RS/LT now with lambda controlled catalytic converter as standard. This causes a rise in price of 700 DM. The catalytic converter was ordered before by 66% of the customers at a supplementary charge 876 DM.

09/95

K75 S was discontinued. K 75 and K75 RT as special edition “Ultima” with hard bag mounts, ABS and catalytic converter available .

10/96

K1200 RS presentation at the IFMA, Cologne/Germany

12/96

With the K75 and K75 RT, the last triple models were discontinued.

03/97

K1200 RS was put on the market.

07/97

Recall K1200 RS:

  • Engine shuts off when throttle is closed too fast. Solution: Motronic has to be programmed.
  • Adjustment screws on clutch- and front brake lever must be secured properly to avoid excessive gap.
  • Cooler fan may touch its housing when rotating. Possible problem: Engine may overheat. Solution: impeller and housing must be replaced.

03/98

Introduction of K1200 LT.

09/98

Recall K1200 RS until 09/97: Replacement of a gasket between fuel pump and tank for the following VIN: ZA 20.000 to 26.463 (ECE) and. ZA 50.000 to ZA 50.899 (US). A fuel leakage may occur at these bikes.

K1200 RS: new pistons and piston rings to decrease oil consumption.

11/99

Recall K1200 RS:

  • Sealing plugs in the cylinder head can work loose allowing coolant to escape. In extreme cases the engine could suddenly lose all coolant. (VIN ZA 21803 to ZA 22694).
  • Also, the clip that secures the oil thermostat can work loose. Under some circumstances, engine oil can leak and find its way to the rear wheel, which in turn can place your safety at risk. (VIN ZA 20000 to ZA 34226).

03/01

K1200 RS was further improved: new fairing, ABS III with partly integrated EVO brake, higher handlebar and lower footrests. Flat handlebar available as an option.

04/03

K1200 GT available as an optimized touring version of the RS

03/04

K1200 LT now with new 85 kW / 116 PS engine. Electric/hydraulic center stand and parking lot light as an option.

Unleaded fuel (91 ROZ) may be used without any restriction since the February 1985 model. Earlier K100 should use unleaded fuel plus lead replacement, such as Castrol TBE. In case of the european models, the corresponding frame numbers are Basic 0007291, RS 0081107, RT 0024999 and every K100 LT.

The K75 and all four valve models may use unleaded premium fuel (95 ROZ).

Do you know about any other modifications ?

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