Unpopular Used Foreign Cars: BMW!! Ran out of inspection while finishing work... Obtaining inspection renewal via user inspection [How much can be achieved with polishing and painting] ☆Vol.21

In the same year that BMW's "M Series" celebrated its 50th anniversary, the K75S, an unpopular used foreign motorcycle, was reborn with an "M" color scheme based on pearl white. I should have purchased it right after its vehicle inspection was renewed, but as I proceeded with various tasks, the 24 months passed by quickly. Since I couldn't even take it for a test ride with an expired inspection, I first obtained a renewal inspection through a user inspection.

Before I knew it, the vehicle inspection deadline (R7.10) was fast approaching...

I purchased the K75 shortly after its inspection was renewed, but before I knew it, 24 months had passed in the blink of an eye. Time flies... With the help of my fellow riders, I took the bike to the vehicle inspection office and attempted a user inspection.

The previous vehicle inspection certificate was the old B5 size, but I only realized at this time that the certificate had become smaller. While the sticker on the provisional inspection certificate has the inspection deadline and other details written on it, the smaller certificate uses a system where detailed information is read via QR code.

Entered the inspection line without a preliminary inspection, and failed due to "headlight aim."

My motorcycle friends and I went to the vehicle inspection office and decided to "just try the inspection line without doing anything," but we failed spectacularly on the headlight aim inspection. Since the headlight was removed during the full repaint, it was only natural to fail.

After failing the first time, I took it to a testing shop for headlight aim adjustment and passed the re-inspection without any issues. I was surprised to receive a printout of the inspection results from the inspector in the judgment room when the headlight aim failed!! It seems vehicle inspections are evolving day by day.

Tried replacing the battery with a Daytona "BMW-specific model"

The battery that was installed when I bought the bike was already showing signs of weakness. So, before the vehicle inspection, I purchased Daytona's BMW-specific "Model 53030 battery." Although it's a BMW-specific product, it fit my Moto Guzzi Le Mans perfectly.

Honestly, installing a battery that isn't light is quite a task. However, this product comes with a simple grip that makes it easy to set in the battery case, so the installation went smoothly. This battery is a product I can recommend as it's user-oriented.

While many batteries have protruding terminals, this BMW-specific battery has two terminals that are recessed, and it comes with terminal covers as standard, making it incredibly user-friendly!!

Removing the side cover reveals the positive and negative terminals, and the protective covers open easily, making battery charging convenient. I added grounding to the main parts using braided wire to make it easier to clamp the ground lead during charging.

Emptied the tank to check the fuel level warning light capacity

As I gradually refueled the empty tank with premium gasoline, the reserve fuel indicator turned off at around 3 liters. After refueling a total of about 5 liters of premium gasoline, I pulled the choke lever and pressed the starter button, and the engine started up quickly!

The pre-inspection maintenance involved installing the battery and starting the engine. The inside of the tank was empty because I had removed the paint from the cap rim. The K75 makes a faint sound of the electric pump operating when the key is turned on. The idling is extremely stable.

A characteristic of older BMWs is that they tend to emit white smoke when starting up again after being stopped on the side stand once the engine has warmed up. By the time the engine is warm, the white smoke is no longer noticeable, and there seems to be no issue with engine performance. Nevertheless, it doesn't leave a good impression...

The combination meter incorporates a very easy-to-read digital clock. It has a "choke lever not returned" indicator, so you won't accidentally ride with the choke on and foul the spark plugs. The gear position indicator is also a welcome feature.

Passed vehicle inspection with high-performance, high-brightness LED "Precious Ray Z II"

I installed Daytona's H4 type LED bulb, Precious Ray Z2, and took it for a user inspection. It provided sufficient light and aim, so there were no issues. Even with the low beam measurement model, the L-mark was clearly visible, providing peace of mind.

By lifting the bike with a maintenance lifter, the headlight bulb can be easily replaced without removing the cowl. The adjustment knob for the light's direction, which can be turned with your fingertips, is also a thoughtful design. The left knob is for up/down, and the right knob is for left/right.

The Precious Ray Z2 comes in two colors: 6500K white and 4500K incandescent. For those who feel that a pure white light doesn't suit older vehicles, the 4500K incandescent color is recommended. Even the 4500K incandescent color is sufficiently bright!!

Cooperation/Daytona www.daytona.co.jp

I was planning to get the K75's inspection renewed around the Obon holidays or shortly after. However, due to the continuous extreme heat, I felt it would be dangerous to ride the motorcycle, and I didn't feel like riding it anyway. I thought, "When it gets cooler, I'll want to ride it, so I'll get the inspection done then." Before I knew it, autumn had arrived, and I started preparing for the renewal inspection.

A battery is necessary to start the engine. The battery that was installed when I purchased the bike had significantly degraded in performance and had been removed. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a sticky residue around the negative terminal. Seeing this sticky substance, I concluded that the battery had reached the end of its life (a small gap around the terminal often causes electrolyte to leak and form deposits). So, I purchased the BMW-specific "Model 53030" battery from Daytona. While it may not fit all BMW models, I confirmed it was compatible with my fellow rider's R80S and R100RS. What's great is its features: despite being a large battery, it comes with a detachable grip band that allows it to be lifted with one hand. Furthermore, it has a thoughtful design where covers can be placed over the terminal posts after wiring is connected.

What was also pleasing was that, despite being a BMW-specific battery, it fit my other owned motorcycle, a Moto Guzzi Le Mans III, perfectly! With the terminal covers and the recessed terminal design, there's clearance above the battery, creating a safe space even when the genuine tool tray is placed on top. After connecting this wonderful battery and refueling with premium gasoline, I pressed the starter button, and the engine started after just a few crankshaft rotations. The idling was stable, and the condition was no different from before the inspection expired when it was running normally.

The only concern is the white smoke issue from the muffler immediately after starting the engine. The K-series engine, with its inline, horizontally opposed configuration, has the cylinder head on the left side. Therefore, when parked on the side stand or left unused for a while, engine oil seems to seep into the exhaust port through the exhaust valve guide. This is not unique to the inline K-series; even the air-cooled boxer era had a recurring issue where the left muffler would emit white smoke each time the side stand was used.

I thought the valve stem seals might be bad and considered purchasing genuine BMW valve stem seals. However, I consulted with a senior rider friend who is knowledgeable about 80s BMWs. He told me, "Replacing them with new parts will temporarily stop the white smoke. But after a few thousand kilometers, the same symptom will return. So, even if you replace the parts, it's unlikely to make a lasting difference." Given the low cost-effectiveness and effort involved, I decided to overlook the white smoke issue.

Additionally, for the renewal inspection, I installed Daytona's high-brightness LED Precious Ray Z2 bulb in the headlight. With previous older LED bulbs, even if they were bright, they sometimes failed to achieve the correct aim. Therefore, I installed this Daytona product without hesitation, as it had passed vehicle inspections for cars. It boasts incredible brightness and aim for high beam measurements, and for low beam measurements, the characteristic L-mark is clearly visible, providing peace of mind. If you simply love bright, pure white light, the 6500K white is recommended. If you prefer a slightly softer, incandescent color (which also suits older bikes), the 4500K model is recommended.