New old K

[awshucks]

Just got an '85 K 100 RS. Has a few issues. My low fuel lights are sporadic, have read of fix for that, but seem to be getting poor mileage. I know part of the reason, heh, heh, but on trip driving home I got about 34 mpg. Met another 85 K RT owner yesterday and he's getting 40/42 and said I have the rear end he'd like for even better mileage on his.

Any tips where to start? Bike had been dealer serviced in March which inc the following: new plugs, new westco battery,1 ign wire and a fuel filter. Bike starts and runs well. Any ideas?

[dwerbil]

Welcome to the forum! I see you're in Mena, Arkansas. Did you know we've been having the Boxerworks Forum Rally twice a year since May of '04 just down the road from you at Ken in Oklahoma's digs at Big Cedar, Ok.?! Click on my pic for gallery pics of the rally. This May's rally is being held down in Austin since Ken is out of state for now. Think we'll have a October rally at Ken's this fall. Hope to see you there.

Not sure about helping out your new K bike mileage issues, other than maybe putting in a fresh set of spark plugs. Others may chime in here.
I've had good luck with K bike issues on the K11.og site....
http://www.k11og.org/forum/index.php

[awshucks]

Kinda knew, traded some pm's or emails w/ Ken when he was hunting a HF coupon for lift. I'm near country store on 270w and about 25 miles from Big Cedar. My other $ pit is an airhead, lol.

[dwerbil]

Very cool. I really love the area around Mena. Sure are some fine cycling roads all around there. Would like to do more exploring the countryside next time, maybe SE of Mena down and around the flood area.

[Major Softie]

Most likely thing is the engine temp sensor. As they die, they read the engine as colder and colder, so the engine runs rich. Eventually, it runs so rich that it barely runs at all once it's warmed up.

You can do some research to see what resistance it is supposed to have and then test it, but I'd just replace it if I were you. It's not expensive and it's the most common thing to fail on those motors.

[awshucks]

W/ minor attempt to keep my wrist out of the injectors, I'm up to 37+ last fill up, thanks for the tip!

[dwerbil]

W/ minor attempt to keep my wrist out of the injectors, I'm up to 37+ last fill up, thanks for the tip!

My K1100RS....when I'm in normal/steady commute mode on the throttle, the bike gives in the low 40's mpg. I noticed a couple weeks ago when putting along most of the day on backroads (30-45 mph mostly), the mpg jumped to the low 50's.
Dunno if your '85 should be doing about the same, or not.

[arbalest]

I have an 85 K100RS. Just routine driving around/commuting, I get 40+. On the road at 75-80, I get 50 mpg. I have done nothing to the bike since I bought it except put gas and oil in it.