The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: roryjohnson on November 10, 2013, 12:03:19 PM
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Dear All
Question from a non-technical guy:
I just had my 1980 temperamental, but recently quite reliable R65 at the mechanics for some routine work, and the guy mentioned that the distributor sounded bad and that he recommended taking a look and seeing if the chain might need to be replaced.
Then I was browsing Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Distributor) to understand what a distributor actually does, and by coincidence it says:
"Four-stroke 2-cylinder engines can be built without a distributor, as in the Citroen 2CV of 1948 and BMW boxer twin motorcycles"
So... does my bike actually have a distributor at all?? I guess its even more worrying if it doesn't, in which case the weird noise is coming from somewhere else.
By the way, my other mechanic always told me the engine sounded a bit weird but after taking apart the cylinders he couldnt find any obvious problem.
Thanks a lot!!
Rory (Barcelona)
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The R65 doesn't have a distributor, your bike if it hasn't been altered or modified by a previous owner, will have a contact point type ignition system .
The 'bean can' is located under the alternator inside the front cover .
The airhead bikes have what is called a 'wasted spark' ignition system, both sparkplugs fire at the same time, so you don't need a distributor .
How many kilometers has the bike been ridden ?
Normally the timing chain is good for alot of useage .
Easiest way to check the chain for being worn, is to use a strobe type timing gun, if the image you see in the timing hole is blurred when the light is working that is usually a good indication of chain wear .
If you are not familiar with an airhead BMW engine, they make a few unusual noises compared to say an Asian bike .
If your mechanic took the cylinders off and found nothing wrong, there probably isn't anything wrong with the engine .
The transmission is another source of odd noises with the engine running and in neutral .
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Your mechanic may have thought you had a distibutor because the bean can was based on an existing Bosch distributor including the offset drive.
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Hi both
thanks a lot for quick responses!
the bike in theory has 55,000km (according to the clock), although it could be more, I only bought it 3 years ago.
best
rory
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the bean can was based on an existing Bosch distributor including the offset drive.
I never knew this, I was confused as to why its referred to as a distributor even on the parts fiche.
Thanks Barry, I like learning stuff! :D
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..I was confused as to why its referred to as a distributor even on the parts fiche.
;D Prepare yourself for even more "lost in translation" fun within the BMW parts fiche. And the available shop manuals can also get you to scratchin' your head.
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Now that you mention it, the forks have a "support for damper pipe", but there's no damper pipe, instead there's an "absorber".
Luckily, there are pictures. And this forum! :)