Though the Krauser name is most often associated with luggage, its founder (Mike Krauser) was also a highly successful sidecar racer for the works BMW team. In fact, he won the German championship four consecutive times starting in 1955.
Armed with this experience, Krauser had always dreamed of building a world-beating road bike — based, of course, around a BMW boxer twin. Accordingly, he contracted HPN (an engineering firm founded by Alfred Halbfeld, Klaus Pepperl, and Michael Nehe) to help him create a frame that would take his BMW R100S to the next level. They used computers to aid the development of their design, piecing together some 52 straight and four slightly bent chromium-molybdenum steel tubes in a complex trellis structure that shaved over a third of the weight of the original BMW unit.
Beyond saving some extra mass, the frame also lowered the front forks, increased the rake and trail, and moved the engine higher. To give the bike some extra oomph, Krauser also designed some 4-valve heads that bumped the output up to 70hp — more than any other production airhead at the time. Wrapped in an aerodynamic, one-piece tank cover, seat, and rear cowling, the resulting MKM 1000 was made only better by its slippery front fairing design and vibrant colors.
Of course, all of this came at a hefty sum: $14,000. For this reason, Krausers are incredibly scarce — just 237 examples made it out of the factory.
This example is VIN: 1009228. It came to Iconic as an import; prior history is not known.
The odometer shows 29,577 kilometers (18,378 miles).
Maintenance:
In preparation for the listing, the seller had us clean and sync the carbs, flush the brake fluid, remove the rear brake switch, install the emblems, mirrors and windscreen, give the bike a detailing, and install new Metzeler Lasertec tires with date codes of 2122 and 3322.
Yonni did the work, he notes the following in his condition report:
Tire Year Front/ Rear:New/New
Tire % Front/ Rear:New/New
Tire Press Front/ Rear:32/36
Brake Life – Front: 90%; Rear: 80%
Hydraulic Fluid – Front/Rear: New
Engine Oil – Level: Ok; Quality: Ok
Low Beam: Ok
High Beam: Ok
Turn Signals: Ok
Tail Light: Ok
Brake Light: Ok
Plate Light: Ok
Killswitch: Ok
Horn: Ok
Battery: OCV: 12.77V
Capacity: 20.0Ah
State of Health: 100%
State of Charge: 100%
Cranking Volts: 9.85V
Charging Test – Load Off: 12.42V; Load On: 12.27V
Diode Ripple 0.07V Normal
TEST RIDE OK ~2 MI
NOTES:
– Oil weeping from oil pan gasket, maybe push rod seal for clutch, and valve push rod seal
Modifications:
Battery tender lead.
Inside of the tank:
The sale includes four keys.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
Currently located at our facility in Santa Monica, California (please make an appointment for an inspection), this Krauser is offered on a clean Oregon title. Please note that as an import, this bike lacks certain compliance and emissions stickers that the state of California would require to transfer a title. Have any MKM 1000 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
8/22 Update: We apologize for the error. This is in fact a 1983 model and not a 1986 model as had been previously advertised.
Continental US: Haul Bikes will ship anything sold through Iconic for a starting rate of $750 in the Continental US (prices may increase in rural markets), and Iconic will handle the paperwork on your behalf. You do not need to crate your bike or drain the gas/disconnect the battery if you go with Haul Bikes. We are glad to work with the shipper of your choice as well, but you will have to arrange it.
Please note:
spares/extras will have to be shipped separately via FedEx or similar.
the fee includes $15,000 of insurance with a $500 deductible. Additional insurance can be purchased at a cost of $50 per additional $5,000 of value.
$5,000 for US to Europe/Asia is a VERY ROUGH ballpark which includes transport as well as customs fees and duties. Please contact Shippio for an exact quote.
