So - the big K has been in the garage for year and more, what might have 'gone wrong' with it?
I'm going to put it back on the road in the next week or two, and I'm hoping that all it'll need is a fuel drain (if possible, I don't have access to all my usual tools), and maybe a pump of the (newly fitted at the time of putting away) tyres.
The battery has been in a warm(ish) garage and will get a good charge beforehand so I don't anticipate any issues there.
14 month lay off
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Re: 14 month lay off
I dread starting my K1300 after long resting period, especially when conditions are cold. The first few seconds after starting are traumatic, waiting for cam chain tensioner to pressurize with cold thick oil, and cam chain makes horrific rattle. I'm thinking about installing the manual tensioner as alternative.
Other than cam chain rattle, the modern K bikes are tight and tidy. Yes, I would hope you could replace or supplement old fuel with fresh, and check the brake & clutch hydraulics. But otherwise, the CAN-BUS will report any problems. What I gather from other K owners is that the bikes either just work, or fail spectacularly.
Other than cam chain rattle, the modern K bikes are tight and tidy. Yes, I would hope you could replace or supplement old fuel with fresh, and check the brake & clutch hydraulics. But otherwise, the CAN-BUS will report any problems. What I gather from other K owners is that the bikes either just work, or fail spectacularly.
Rockster#2, K1300S, S1000R (for sale)
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Re: 14 month lay off
Sounds about right. Tbh I've never had any issues with 6 month storage on bikes, i doubt this will be any different.sweatmark wrote:I dread starting my K1300 after long resting period, especially when conditions are cold. The first few seconds after starting are traumatic, waiting for cam chain tensioner to pressurize with cold thick oil, and cam chain makes horrific rattle. I'm thinking about installing the manual tensioner as alternative.
Other than cam chain rattle, the modern K bikes are tight and tidy. Yes, I would hope you could replace or supplement old fuel with fresh, and check the brake & clutch hydraulics. But otherwise, the CAN-BUS will report any problems. What I gather from other K owners is that the bikes either just work, or fail spectacularly.
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Re: 14 month lay off
So far so good!
The Beast fitted up first press of the button and settled down to a smooth tickover as if I put it away only yesterday!
Little bit of a oil drip manifested on the right front corner on the cam-cover seal, I'm hoping that is just a very cold seal that will expand and close up..... Fingers crossed.
Rode it up and down the lane and the brakes aren't even binding!!
Next.... MOT.
The Beast fitted up first press of the button and settled down to a smooth tickover as if I put it away only yesterday!
Little bit of a oil drip manifested on the right front corner on the cam-cover seal, I'm hoping that is just a very cold seal that will expand and close up..... Fingers crossed.
Rode it up and down the lane and the brakes aren't even binding!!
Next.... MOT.
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Re: 14 month lay off
YAY! Clean pass! And the ride home after filling with 99octane was absolutely fine.
IT LIVES!
IT LIVES!
Re: 14 month lay off
riceburner wrote:YAY! Clean pass! And the ride home after filling with 99octane was absolutely fine.
IT LIVES!

Rockster#2, K1300S, S1000R (for sale)
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Re: 14 month lay off
sweatmark wrote:riceburner wrote:YAY! Clean pass! And the ride home after filling with 99octane was absolutely fine.
IT LIVES!
Indeed!
And now to sell it.....
I hanker for a Rockster again.
Re: 14 month lay off
Welcome home! You've been missed.riceburner wrote:Indeed!sweatmark wrote:riceburner wrote:YAY! Clean pass! And the ride home after filling with 99octane was absolutely fine.
IT LIVES!
And now to sell it.....
I hanker for a Rockster again.
Rockster#2, K1300S, S1000R (for sale)
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Re: 14 month lay off
sweatmark wrote:Welcome home! You've been missed.riceburner wrote:Indeed!sweatmark wrote:
And now to sell it.....
I hanker for a Rockster again.

6 months later and I still have the Beast.....

Currently sitting idle with a flat tyre after a month of commuting. Need to get it sorted again now the Rockster needs TLC. #itneverends.