BMW K75C - CycleChaos

BMW K75C
Manufacturer	BMW
Also called	K 75 C
Production	1985 - 1995
Class	Naked
Engine	liquid-cooled, four-stroke, longitudinal three cylinder, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder
Bore / Stroke	66.0mm x 66.0mm
Compression ratio	11.0:1
Top Speed	124 mph (200 km/h)
Horsepower	74.96 HP (55.9 KW) @ 8500RPM
Torque	50.16 ft/lbs (68.0 Nm) @ 6750RPM
Spark Plug	NGK D8EA '86-88
Battery	YUASA 51814 '86-88
Transmission	Gear box: 5-speed, manual Final Drive: shaft Clutch: dry, single plate
Final Drive	Shaft
Suspension	Front: telescopic fork with hydraulic shock absorber Rear: Monolever swinging arm
Brakes	Front: dual 285mm discs, 2-piston calipers Rear: single 285mm disc
Front Tire	100/90-18 56H
Rear Tire	120/90-18 56H
Wheelbase	59.69 inches (1516 mm)
Length	87.4 inches (2220 mm)
Width	35.39 inches (899 mm)
Seat Height	31.89 inches (810 mm)
Weight	236.0 kg (wet)
Oil Filter	K&N KN-163[1]
Fuel Capacity	5.55 Gallon (21.00 Liters)
Related	BMW K75BMW K75C
Manuals	Service Manual

The BMW K75 was a was a liquid-cooled, four-stroke, longitudinal three cylinder, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder standard motorcycle produced by BMW from 1985 to 1995. At the time of its introduction, the K75 was BMW's cheapest motorcycle. It offers a claimed acceleration of 0–60 mph in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 120 mph (193 km/h). Max torque was 50.16 ft/lbs (68.0 Nm) @ 6750 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 74.96 HP (55.9 KW) @ 8500 RPM.

Contents

• 1 Engine
• 2 Drive
• 3 Chassis
• 4 Model designations
• 5 Engine and transmission
• 6 Background to K75 launch and design
• 7 1985 BMW K 75 C
• 8 1986 BMW K 75 C
• 9 1987 BMW K 75 C
• 10 1988 BMW K 75 C
• 11 1989 BMW K 75 C
• 12 1990 BMW K 75 C
• 13 In Media
• 14 References

Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was a liquid cooled liquid-cooled, four-stroke, longitudinal three cylinder, DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder. A 66.0mm bore x 66.0mm stroke result in a displacement of just 740.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a double overhead cams/twin cam (dohc).

Drive[edit | edit source]

The bike has a 5-speed, manual transmission. Power was moderated via the dry, single plate.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 100/90-18 56H front tire and a 120/90-18 56H rear tire. Stopping was achieved via dual 285mm discs, 2-piston calipers in the front and a single 285mm disc in the rear. The front suspension was a telescopic fork with hydraulic shock absorber while the rear was equipped with a Monolever swinging arm. The K 75 C was fitted with a 5.55 Gallon (21.00 Liters) fuel tank. The wheelbase was 59.69 inches (1516 mm) long.

Model designations[edit | edit source]

Black BMW K75S with topbox and panniers, parked on grass

Various models of the K75 were produced.

• K75, with no fairing
• K75T, US only model with a windscreen, touring bags, engine crash bars, and rear top case
• K75C, with a small handlebar mounted 'cockpit' fairing
• K75S, with sports fixed fairing and lower bars
• K75RT, with full fairing for 'road touring'

S and RT versions have a rear disc brake and 17 inch rear wheels whereas the others have a single leading shoe drum brake and 18 inch rear wheels. A stiffer, "anti-dive" front suspension was added to the S and RT model. Later RT version has a windshield that can be raised or lowered. Some taller riders complain of wind buffeting with the smaller S model stock windscreen.

Engine and transmission[edit | edit source]

All K75 models share the same drivetrain. They are powered by a 740 cc liquid-cooled inline three-cylinder engine with Bosch fuel injection. The US EPA specific engine produce 68 hp while all others produce 75 hp. It utilizes a five-speed transmission with a dry clutch and a shaft-driven final drive. The engine is rotated 90 degrees – designed to be less vulnerable to damage should the cycle fall over.

Background to K75 launch and design[edit | edit source]

Black BMW K75T with topbox and panniers, parked on a driveway in front of a house and metal gates

The K-series lineup, including the K75 and K100, were not just new models; these designs were radical departures from almost every aspect of previous ones. The K-bikes introduced new technology and refinement for a premium brand. At the time, BMW and Harley-Davidson were the only major manufactures that did not offer liquid-cooled engines. Competing brands, notably of Japanese manufacture, were touting the superiority of their liquid-cooled engines and had introduced low maintenance shaft-drive technology into a growing number of their models.

The K-series offered refinements like computer-controlled fuel injection, all stainless steel exhaust, rust-free aluminum fuel tank, anti-lock brakes or ABS, mono-lever in the rear and single shock absorber, adjustable headlight, high capacity 460 watt alternator, cigarette lighter accessory plug-in, self canceling signal lights. It would take more than two decades for other manufacturers to catch-up. The engine design had excellent vibration isolation. Two different forks manufactures were used: Showa with an outer upper tube diameter of 1.612" and Fichtel and Sachs measuring 1.627".

1985 BMW K 75 C[edit | edit source]

The 1985 MY BMW K 75C is a middle-class naked machine that comes standard with features such as a suspension package composed of a telescopic fork with a hydraulic shock absorber and a Monolever unit in the rear, cast-aluminum wheels, a nose-fairing with a windscreen, a dual seat, passenger grab rails, a rear luggage rack, mid-mounted foot controls and an analogue instrument cluster.

In the tech/engine department, it sports a liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 740cc, in-line three cylinder powerplant mated to a five-speed manual transmission that can reach a maximum power output of 75 horsepower and 68 Nm of torque.

1986 BMW K 75 C[edit | edit source]

The 1986 MY BMW K 75C can reach a maximum power output of 75 horsepower and 68 Nm of torque from its liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 740cc, in-line three cylinder powerplant mated to a five-speed manual transmission. It also boasts features such as a telescopic fork with a hydraulic shock absorber and a Monolever unit in the rear, cast-aluminum wheels, a nose-fairing with a windscreen, a dual seat, passenger grab rails, a rear luggage rack, mid-mounted foot controls and an analogue instrument cluster.

1987 BMW K 75 C[edit | edit source]

The 1987 MY BMW K 75C comes with a telescopic fork with a hydraulic shock absorber and a Monolever unit in the rear, cast-aluminum wheels, a nose-fairing with a windscreen, a dual seat, passenger grab rails, a rear luggage rack, mid-mounted foot controls and an analogue instrument cluster.

In the tech/engine department, it sports a four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 740cc, longitudinal three cylinder powerhouse paired to a five-speed manual transmission, and can reach a maximum power output of 75 horsepower and 68 Nm of torque.

1988 BMW K 75 C[edit | edit source]

The 1988 MY BMW K 75C sports a four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 740cc, longitudinal three cylinder powerplant mated to a five-speed manual transmission, and can produce a claimed 75 horsepower and 68 Nm of torque. Also, it boasts a hydraulic shock absorber and a Monolever unit in the rear, cast-aluminum wheels, a nose-fairing with a windscreen, a dual seat, passenger grab rails, a rear luggage rack, mid-mounted foot controls and an analogue instrument cluster.

1989 BMW K 75 C[edit | edit source]

The 1989 MY BMW K 75C is a naked, middle-class two-wheeler that is sure to fit the taste for a wide category of riders. At its heart lies a liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 740cc, longitudinal three cylinder powerhouse paired to a five-speed manual transmission, that produces a claimed 75 horsepower and 68 Nm of torque.

The key features for this machine would be the telescopic front fork with a hydraulic shock absorber, a Monolever suspension in the rear, cast-aluminum wheels, a nose-fairing with a windscreen, a dual seat, passenger grab rails, a rear luggage rack, mid-mounted foot controls and an analogue instrument cluster.

1990 BMW K 75 C[edit | edit source]

The 1990 MY BMW K 75C boasts a telescopic front fork with a hydraulic shock absorber, a Monolever suspension in the rear, cast-aluminum wheels, a nose-fairing with a windscreen, a dual seat, passenger grab rails, a rear luggage rack, mid-mounted foot controls and an analogue instrument cluster.

In the tech/engine department, this naked sports a liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 740cc, in-line three cylinder powerplant mated to a five-speed manual transmission, and can reach a maximum power output of 75 horsepower and 68 Nm of torque.

In Media[edit | edit source]

• The Fourth Protocol

References[edit | edit source]

1. ↑ 2019 K&L Supply Co Catalog. K&L Supply Co. 2019. 

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