Another Newbie from Los Angeles

[noah]

Hi Everyone,

Yet another newbie from Los Angeles, who is so incredibly relieved to have finally found a solid airhead forum (I'll spare you the inventory of total garbage out there, but they usually have names like BMWMOA and BMWRA, just to give you some idea).  Mine's a '79 'Champaign' 65er with the OG hardbags, 45k miles, rebuild carburetors, NKG plugs and wires (what does everyone think about this?), some insanely heavy fork oil that I'd like to change as soon as I get around to it, an ugly BMW bucket seat grafted from some other bike, and a tank with a ding that needs to be painted (Justin -- if you can quote me less than the price of a new one for the work, I'll take you up on it).  Other than these minor issues, the bike is a fine piece of work in great running shape and I couldn't be happier (especially for $1700).

Now, as long as I must post to establish my membership and I have a captive audience, I have a few questions about my bike.  I would normally search the proper forum for these types of issues, but as long as I have to be here for the moment, here goes:

1.  What's the deal with the fork, gas cap, and seat locks? I have two keys, one gray folding key and one strange-looking key with a round black handle (looks like the plastic cap to a bottle of fuel additive with the neck of a key sticking out of it).  I think they're two different versions of the same key, both work for ignition but neither for forks, seat, or gascap.  Neither one of them works for either the fork lock or the seat lock.  I hit them both with wd-40 just to make sure they weren't rusted, but no luck.  The fork lock turns but only counter-clockwise (I think this is how it's supposed to be) and then I can't take the key out no matter which way I turn the forks.  Seat lock won't move at all.  Are there two different keys for ignition and everything else?  If so, what do I do about this?

2. No keys for luggage .  What to do about this?  I've heard about this Alteile company on e-bay that sells blanks for the bikes and luggage but I need them fitted to the keyholes.  Any suggestions??

There are some other issues; both the stands are shot, oil leak, idles a little too high -- but I can handle these.  Don't know what to do about the other stuff and the internet isn't very helpful.  Hopefully someone can throw me a champaign-colored bone.

Thanks everyone! Love the site!

Noah

[Justin B.]

Welcome to the asylum...

One key should fit all, if not then this means probably the ignition switch has been changed.  I the fork will only lock in one position (I never use mine), pretty much at full left lock.  Post pics, if you have the Krauser Bags the locks will have a number on them (like S327) and Bob's BMW has keys for most of the codes.  Contact me off-list about paint.

[nhmaf]

Yes, as Justin stated, the key mismatch likely means that your ignition switch was changed out at some point over the years - not uncommon.  Few, if any, of us use the fork lock key on these older BMWs because again, as Justin points out, you can only lock and remove the key with the forks in (1) position, and also, since it is down and out of the way, it is very easy to forget about it and attempt to start up the bike and start to take off while the forks are still locked -> very embarrassing as once makes a low speed crash in the parking lot.  The pin in the lock is not so strong as to be able to withstand a strong armed thief anyhow.

Welcome aboard !

[R65Guy]

Hi Noah, from a fellow newbie, welcome to the forum!

As nhmaf said you will rarely use the fork lock in daily use.  I once pushed the bike off the centerstand but had forgotten that I had locked the forks - almost highsided at .001 mph.  I've never locked them since.  For me, one of the symptons of needing to do steering head maintenance was the fact that the fork lock would no longer engage.  The old grease was more like glue than lubricant.  While seated with the bike on the centerstand you should be able to easily move the handlebars smoothly from side to side with one finger.  Hopefully your bike has had this done already.  Sounds like the PO did a decent job of taking care of the basic maintenance and you have a solid bike to ride while you improve it.  NGK plugs/wires/caps are excellent.  As far as fork oil I have heard that OEM fluid was somewhere around 4.5 wt. - most people consider that to be a bit on the light side.  Post your questions in the tech list and you should get lots of feedback.  Enjoy!

<Neal>