The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: boxerkerl on November 19, 2010, 09:02:56 AM
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Hello All,
I've been riding an 82 since I bought it in '04, a lot of camping 2 up with trailer. Longest trip was from Ohio to Montana via Gillette in '08.
I'm close to buying an LS as I want low bars and dual front brakes for some track days.
Has anyone tried the Gold Star Emulators from Race-Tech? It seems the forks on my bike are kind of squishy compared to the telelever on my oiler. I rebuilt them and have tried different oil, but I think modern adjustable valving will give me the feel I'm looking for.
According to Race-Tech propaganda, the combination of their spring selection, based on my/bike's weight, and emulator will really improve the forks' performance. I believe it, but maybe not for all bikes. I'd like to get first hand feedback before I plunk down 200.00.
Thanks in advance,
Rick
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There are a few articles on the net about fitting emulators to airhead forks but I don't recall seeing anything about R65 forks. You might be the first to try it. There's no reason in principle why it should not be possible.
Do Race-tech sell them suitable for our forks ? If they do I might be interested.
What emulators do is overcome the damper rod forks inability to deal equally well with high speed and low speed damping and of course you get adjustable compression damping which then allows you to adjust the rebound damping by oil weight. Fitting them usually or maybe always needs a shorter spring as they sit on top of the damper piston which would put a fair bit of pre-load on a spring of stock length.
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HI Boxerkerl,
I replaced the whole front end with one off a 1988 K100RS do to weight issues (Fairing and panniers and topcase). It bolts right on as the steering head bearing are the same part number.
Do you have pictures of your trailer set up on your 1982 R65? I would love to see that as I would love to be able to get my wife to go with me on trips.
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Bill, wouldn't a side hack be more comfortable for your wife? I don't really think she'll be interested in going on trips with you if you have her ride in the trailer. ::)
Saw a bike n' trailer rig at this year's Barber Vintage Festival. The license plate on the trailer said, "Her Stuff".
B-I-G trailer, too.
Monte
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Yeah it probably would. I have contemplated the Hack option in the past...still contemplating. The whole hack thing somehow does not thrill me like it does some. Of course this would be a perfect excuse to buy another BSA! ::)
I apologize for the thread hyjaak! (crawls back to dark corner)
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Thanks for the replies,
Yes, Race-Tech says they have a model they that will fit 36 mm R65 tubes. I've heard swapping K bike forks is a good way to go, too but that sounds like more $ and more work.
I attached pics of the trailer. It's my own custom design. I don't weld, so I had it fabbed up by the best welder at the best ornamental iron shop in Columbus. It's 1/8" diamond plate aluminum, and the welder is the go-to guy to fix the diamond plate on fire trucks--anyway, I get a lot of compliments on the welding. Axle is a Dexter Tor-Flex for independent suspension; lights are LED trailer lights. Box is 30 l x 16 w x 18 h; lid is a shoe-box fit with gas props. I pulled it to CA and OR behind my oiler to the MOA rally. Camping is SOO much easier from a box!
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Thanks for the replies,
Yes, Race-Tech says they have a model they that will fit 36 mm R65 tubes. I've heard swapping K bike forks is a good way to go, too but that sounds like more $ and more work.
I attached pics of the trailer. It's my own custom design. I don't weld, so I had it fabbed up by the best welder at the best ornamental iron shop in Columbus. It's 1/8" diamond plate aluminum, and the welder is the go-to guy to fix the diamond plate on fire trucks--anyway, I get a lot of compliments on the welding. Axle is a Dexter Tor-Flex for independent suspension; 4.80 x 8 wheels; lights are LED trailer lights. Box is 30 l x 16 w x 18 h; lid is a shoe-box fit with gas props. I pulled it to CA and OR behind my oiler to the MOA rally. Camping is SOO much easier from a box!
Pic is first night out on first trip w trailer. Near Davenport IA, heading for Gillette. (Sorry about the size; I can't find a way to reduce it.)
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I just Google "picture resize', pick one, and go from there. I typically reduce them 75%.
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Rick,
I'm currently doing an installation project of the Race-Tech Gold Emulators on my friend's (BMWScotter) /5 front forks with him. It's not a 5 minute process. Yesterday I opened-up each of the 4 compression holes in the dampening rod to 1/4" diameter and hacked-off the top of the dampening piston as instructed to accomodate the new emulator piston. Scotter is planning on putting together a tutorial but doubt it will be completed anythime soon. A great reference to see what you will have to do to perform the upgrade is to acquire a copy of the May/June 2010 issue of Motorcycle Classics Magazine. They show a great step-by-step procedure with photographs. I only use hacksaws on someone elses bikes. This is supposed to be a successful upgrade but for me; the jury is still out - until the project is finished. Don't know that I will ever perform this extent of surgery on any of my bikes suspension. But you can make up your own mind after you research it further. I'm happy to share additional information when the project continues, but that may be some time from now before it's completed.
http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/motorcycle-reviews/1968-triumph-trident-t150.aspx
-Mike V.
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Thanks, Mike, that's exactly the kind of info I need.
(Sorry about multiple posts. For some reason When I try to edit, the original stays up.)
LS owners: how does the LS do as a track bike? I'm not interested in 140 MPH in the straights; I want to find my and my bike's limits in the "slow" switchbacks. Any sticky tires out there?
Anyone run in AMA vintage races? Not really into that either, but someone mentioned the LS might shine vs 650 Brit bikes, at least handling! I'm guessing that after a couple track days I'll want to give vintage racing a try.
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"Not really into that either, but someone mentioned the LS might shine vs 650 Brit bikes, at least handling!"
I wouldn't bet on that. But at least nothing should fall off of the R65.
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...LS owners: how does the LS do as a track bike? I'm not interested in 140 MPH in the straights; I want to find my and my bike's limits in the "slow" switchbacks. Any sticky tires out there?
Anyone run in AMA vintage races? Not really into that either, but someone mentioned the LS might shine vs 650 Brit bikes, at least handling! I'm guessing that after a couple track days I'll want to give vintage racing a try.
An LS at 140mph? That's smokin'... smokin' what I don't know. 8-)
Have you investigated AHRMA yet? These cats do vintage racing right. Pre-1975 bikes, as I recall. http://www.ahrma.org/
Old Bengt Phorqs and I attended the season finale of the AHRMA road races at Barber Motorsports Park in early October. I might add there were quite a few Airheads on the track. Most could not match the Triumphs :'(
Monte