K75RT Ultima - eventually

ChrisJF

Where does this bit go ?
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This has just arrived. 1997 (P-reg), 27000 miles, very clean and tidy all round.

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and by the time resources and abilities permit, this should be the end result :

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Its not a project as such since the bike really is already in outstanding condition - the previous owners (all within the same family) have pampered it - essential things like the K16V centrestand upgrade, grease nipples to the stands and the clutch operating arm have been fitted, while oils and filters have been changed at 3000 mile intervals and all electrical connections regularly cleaned and greased. Dad was an auto-electrician ... The all-important, don't-buy-unless spline lubes have been performed at 10000 mile intervals as well - documented AND photographed, no less.

So its a case of "completing" the bike to full Ultima specification.

For example, the handlebar auxiliary instrument pods have been removed since one of them came into contact with a fairing panel on full steering lock and the MOT chap was not amused. A little delving into history reveals that (1) the forks have been lowered in their mounts by half an inch at some point in the past - this allegedly "improves" the K75 handling ; and (2) the bike was dropped at some point as well since its lower RHS fairing has been repainted, very nicely, too. Taken together these suggest that the fairing alignment could still be out of whack, particularly if the fairing mounting spider (K75/100/1100 owners know what I mean here) or other mounting brackets are distorted as well. Let's see.

Good used parts have been found to complete the "project" and as always the credit card in whimpering - e.g. the oem 22L topbox and its fitting plate (check, check and double check its secure :augie ), the bike-specific crashbars :clap (although their mounting kit has to come from BMW since used items are unavailable and inadvisable- £££ of course) and the heated grips and switch (unusual - BMWs of that vintage normally had them as standard ?), so it should be straightforward enough. Let's see.

I'm not going to bother with fitting the oem stereocassette even if I could find one since it adds weight to an already top-heavy area, you lose a rather useful glovebox and I'm still not clear what will happen to AM/FM systems if and when digital radio takes off.

If its a keeper - as always my health issues rudely intrude at regular intervals here - then things like upgrading the suspension, doing the headlamp relay modification - maybe a ceramic H4 socket as well - and fitting an Autocom/GPS setup may well occur. I've heard very good things about the Realm Engineering "RAM" shocks and springs for the K75/100/1100 models along with uprated fork-seals and heavier fork oil which taken together considerably improves the handling - subjective as always since 75bhp lugging All That Weight is never going to set the pulses racing, let's face it.

The K75 engines really are bulletproof (in myth, legend AND fact) and the bike really is / was built to a standard rather than a price throughout. Often derided as boring bikes, in practice they are comfortable, ultra-reliable and remarkably economic to run and to keep running as well. Heavy, mind ...

Let's see ... :thumb2
 
If you don't get on with it, let me know I think I would, these are fantastic machines, although not an ultima, I rate my 75rt as one of the best bikes ever.

Steve
 
Well done. Looks like a good 'un.
 
Thanks both - everything's in now and I'm just waiting for Barry Barber to come & collect it to do all the necessary. You may recall I have to be kept away from sharp objects.

Steve - have PM'd you.
 
So far so good

Several UKGSers have asked about progress here - so far so good is the reply.

Most of the parts needed for the transformation are now in - including a complete oem stereocassette, the mounting cage, handlebar remote control, aerial and the wiring loom. I know - I said I wasn't going to bother but when the parts turned up on eBay I was overcome with Magpie-shiny-object syndrome :D

I've even obtained the fairing panel with the oem speakers already fitted AND a spare pair of speakers with the mounts that fit earlier non-Ultima K75RT's. Another "project" further down the line, perhaps ?

Unfortunately the radio hasn't got its security/unlock code, consequently I've got in touch with Andy Tizzard, motorcycle parts manager at Vines Of Guildford who should be able to get the details from Motorrad. If not there are specialists who can do it - for a fee :(

The engine bars came from an RTP consequently they have the potentially useful additional mounting brackets for auxiliary lights &c. At first sight they looked as you might expect but have polished up well enough. There are a few minor scuffs and gouges on both but nothing that cant be covered up with judicious tape/tubing :augie However the mounting kit with their special rubber offset bolts, plates and plugs &c had to be ordered from Motorrad as used parts are rare and generally suspect.


Once all the parts are in (just the raised glovebox lid and the aerial) its off to Barry Barber of B-Ems Portsmouth for a day of fitting, fettling and soldering. I HAVE managed to fit the topbox all by myself with no bruises, blood or swearing along the way so I'm feeling quite proud of myself at present.
 
They are a lovely bike, the Ultima. I had one up to a couple of years ago - which I bought "as a keeper" also - spent hours on it in the workshop - looked gorgeous when
it emerged fully fettled.

Unfortunately my wife and I found it just too cramped 2-up, her back was against the topbox, whilst my legs were tucked in fairly well behind the fairing - meaning that to put my feet down was a "legs back - then down" operation - and I just felt that with an unexpected stop I MAY not get them down in time!! I'm 6ft - wife is 5' 8" so not giants!!

I was gutted to see it go - but that's life. Still have 2 other K75's - best bikes I've ever owned - and I feel that BMW ever made!!

Should have some pics somewhere - when I find them, I'll post a couple here.

Mike
 
Hmm - looks like the OP has left the building!!

Mike

you might say that - inpatient treatment for my chronic kidney disease intrudes yet again, while Barry Barber is extremely busy at the moment as other "pride & joys" are being brought out of hibernation and require his immediate attention, of course.

As and when the situation alters I'll update. Neither I nor the bike are going anywhere for the foreseeable.

Thanks for the interest though.
 
Is that Barry Barber who used to run an independent BMW motorbike service from Waterlooville?.
 
probably - Barry now has a workshop behind the Sainsbury's store in Drayton.
 
Hi Chris, I've previously used Barry. Do you have his e-mail address or phone number for him - landline if possible as I'm in France), many thanks
 
Hi Chris, I've previously used Barry. Do you have his e-mail address or phone number for him - landline if possible as I'm in France), many thanks

I have his number at home.. Will post up later! Mobile is best for him!!
 
Its such a good looking and (these days at least) different bike!

I own a K1300R and it seems that the earlier Ks are quite different but equally out of the ordinary bikes. I think that BMW have lost their way in marketing terms with the K-Series which is a shame. The current range boast two engines; superb in-line 4 (1300cc) and inline-6 (1600cc) engines with shaft drive, huge and well-matched amounts of torque-to-power bands and a grin factor that I find irresistible. It looks like the earlier models have equally inspiring differentiators compared to the general pack of road and touring bikes.

When I park my bike in the UK I frequently get people that ask what the bike is and why they haven't heard of it ... and get nods of approval from European tourists (recently a German man wound down his window just to say how good the K1300R was :) ). No doubt you will get similar enthusiastic reactions when you takes your Ultima out and about.

I think you have yourself a different and superb bike. Have a great time riding it and thanks for the post.
 
HELP!

I have his number at home.. Will post up later! Mobile is best for him!!

Hi,
I would be most grateful if you had a mo to post Barry's info. Am currently in Bournemouth with a very sick G/S which limped here on work and I want to take it on the summer hols.
Thanks
Cheers
John
 
sorry for the delay(s) in response - been spending more time in hospital than anyone would like.

Barry's mobile no. is 0781 071 3710. I gather he's *exceptionally* busy at the moment and may even be relocating to bigger and better premises &c.
 
Hi Chris,
Thanks very much. Hope your clear of hospital soon.
Cheers
John
Also sussesx
 
Just joined and came across this, and stunned to see it is the bike I ride. You might like to know I am now riding this bike all over the place; 63,000 miles and running like a dream. Best bike I have ever owned and so grateful for the excellent care it's had. Bought it from a chap in Aberystwyth 3 and a half years ago. Afraid it isn't in quite such excellent condition as seen here, but I retire in a couple of years, and I intend to keep it and restore it. The only thing that is not working is the lights on the tacho side of the instrument panel; not the bulbs, I have changed the lot. Hoping to find a second hand Ultima instrument panel. So thanks for all the care you took of her.
 


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