1992 BMW K1 Project Bike

Description

Bob’s has offered and sold a great many PROJECT BIKES over the years, but this is our very first K1 Project Bike.  K1s in any condition are uncommon on the used bike market. Not so many were made in the first place, and those that were are now generally kept and cherished for their unique style and important place in BMW model history. This K1 has all the makings of a beautiful machine, whether it becomes a prized collector’s item, or gets ridden and enjoyed often. But first, its new owner will have to address some mechanical issues which are simply the result of the bike having sat unused for over a decade. This K1 has had two owners. We know that the second owner lovingly cared for it and rode the bike often before the point when — well, as it happens, life gets in the way sometimes. Luckily, it was put away securely in a dry garage.

There is no record or evidence that this very desirable motorcycle was ever crashed or abused. There aren’t even any signs of tip-over damage! We are absolutely confident that, once the mechanical restoration and maintenance is complete, the bike will be fully roadworthy, safe, and FUN. If you’re an enthusiast with mechanical talent and inclination, a PROJECT BIKE like this will be a pleasurable and probably not-too-difficult challenge. But also know that, at your direction, we are happy to take on the task for you as well. It’s your time and your money; so that choice is yours.

As with all PROJECT BIKES we want buyers to know as much as possible about the bike before making a purchase. We’ve nothing to hide and our only goal is that the new owner for each and every PROJECT BIKE feels they paid fairly and got a good, if not great value in the deal. We encourage people to call, schedule a time to meet with one of our sales advisors and inspect each machine in person so they fully understand all the positives as well as the potential downsides involved in the refurbishing process. We’re proud to have sold well over a hundred PROJECT BIKES since beginning the program some years ago. Our aim with these bikes — indeed, with all the bikes we sell — is exceptional customer satisfaction. By that measure, our Project Bikes have proven to be an overwhelming success. We’ve even taken a few of them back in trade as good used bikes after their owners finished doing all the work and then enjoyed riding the bikes for a number of years.

Please take a moment to learn more about Bob’s PROJECT BIKE program and read our general disclaimer here:  http://www.bobsbmw.com/new-motorcycles/project-bikes/.

Here are some mechanical needs that we’ve identified on this near stunning PROJECT BIKE:

1. All the fuel system components inside the gas tank have deteriorated and need replacement, so this is where your efforts to get the bike running should begin. It’s a pretty straight forward work but anyone who can turn a basic wrench can handle this task. There will be several parts to buy too. These parts are not inexpensive, but neither are they cost-prohibitive. Bob’s stocks all of them and you’d get a generous discount on anything you buy here to get this PROJECT BIKE back into regular service.
2. It already has a new BMW battery installed which allowed us to check horn, lights, switches, etc., and of course, identify the fuel system issue noted above.
3. The tires are from 2005 and 2007, and while the sidewalls are in good shape and there’s enough tread showing to probably pass any state safety inspection, we would suggest installing fresh tires.
4. The switches are a bit sticky and require cleaning and lubricant (not uncommon for age and lack of use). The horn is a bit weak though it might improve with regular use: an aftermarket upgrade would be better and cost no more than an OEM replacement. When you take a close look you’ll see that some, though not all of the hardware on this bike shows a little exposure/age damage and even some very light rust.
5. The front brake master cylinder has died. A rebuild (we stock the rebuild kits) might bring it fully back to life, or a new BMW replacement is not that costly and comes with a 2 year parts warranty; the rear MC is showing signs of weepage under the boot that covers the plunger so this end needs to be addressed. Then both systems would need to be fully bled to assure proper performance and safety.
6. The original BMW floating brake rotors at the front, the standard rotor at the rear, and all brake pads look very healthy, but we did not measure them out due to the exceptionally low miles & positive visual.
7. Most of the rubber parts look pretty decent, but whenever a bike has been in dry storage this long, it might be wise to invest in replacements for things such as foot peg covers, shift rubber, grips, and some other assorted pieces here and there. New rubber can restore comfort and reduce or eliminate minor noises.
8. There is no way for us to know if the speedo, tach, ABS and other electronics are all in perfect working condition without the bike being started. Our past experience tells us that there’s a 50/50 chance that everything will come back to life but the other side of that 50/50 equation is that something might not. This is all part of the risk/return calculation of a PROJECT BIKE
9. When everything else is done we’d of course suggest bringing the fluids and filters and any tuning adjustments up to current maintenance levels so it’s all fresh before that first ride.

On the cosmetic side, the bike presents very well and all paint appears to be original. There are a small number of light scratches, chips, and even a very few previously touched-up spots on the bodywork, but most are small enough that they do not show up well in photos. These things need to be seen in a personal inspection. We originally found a small nest (mouse or bird) near the ignition which should have been washed away, but it’s entirely possible another nest could be hiding almost any place on this PROJECT  BIKE. (Over the years we’ve found plenty in air boxes so check everything before starting!) There are the small standard cracks on the front fender around the fork leg but they are very small. There are a few old scratches on the rear wheel that were touched up with what appears to be BMW touch up paint. And, looking closely, you’ll notice that the transmission has some of the very common clear coat cracking in the surface. Lastly, the rear seat cowling is in great shape (functionally and cosmetically) as shown in photos, but some of the hardware that secures it to the rear seat has deteriorated and requires replacement. 

This K1 is especially nice. If we were to part it out we’d make a small fortune; one simply does not find original cosmetics like this often enough to satisfy demand for individual pieces. That’s not to say it is museum perfect, but we feel that no one will be disappointed in any regard with what is being offered on this PROJECT BIKE. Bob was briefly tempted to simply pickle it the way it is and keep it himself; maybe have our expert detailer spend half a day on it and then display it along with his nearly perfect, all original 1990 red w/yellow graphics example. But Bob’s not keeping it (as far as we know) and we’re not parting it out because our PROJECT BIKE business is intended to keep potentially roadworthy machines on the road. 

As you can see in the photos of this PROJECT BIKE, it has the original, hard-to-come-by owner‘s manual along with original copies of BMW’s VHS service tapes, a copy of the Clymer Service Manual for the K1 and other K models of this era, and one (1) original ignition key that also fits the 3 storage compartments, fork lock and gas cap. There was no tool kit included but the original hidden helmet locks are underneath the rear storage compartment lids as designed. The dark tinted screen or air spoiler is an original BMW accessory and the black nylon half cover is an aftermarket item that’s also included. And if you look closely you can see full coverage fork boots vs. the bare tubes and small lower dust boot these bikes were originally delivered with – a nice, functional extra.

This special PROJECT BIKE is sure to make someone very happy, both at the time of purchase and when it has successfully been returned to safe and roadworthy condition. Again we want to mention that all the stuff you may need to purchase to accomplish the work and complete the refurbishing mission at Bob’s BMW will come with a generous discount.