The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: lairhead on April 06, 2009, 10:48:48 AM
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Hi i am Brendan
i live in Cape Town South Africa ,im a paramedic student and drive a R1150 gs
in december i bought an wreck of an 81'' R65ls for $600 and o'"boy is it adventure ,no useable front end and no speedo or fairings or cowl
WHAT have i done!!
well spent the last few months stripping, spraying, cleaning,and searching for parts ,My local Bmw dealer loves me because i financed there new showroom ,
hopefully i get to ride my "new" bike tommorow :D :D
let me go and start it for the first time cheers
terror
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Welcome to the site Terror.
Once you get the bike on the road, I think you will agree that it was worth the effort and expense.
The bike is really straight forward as far as repairs and maintenance and up keep, once you get it all sorted out, you'll have a bike that you can ride for the next 20-30 years.
You have a bike that you don't see on the road much.
I've only seen one other R65 on the road here in the US, in the 28 years that I've owned mine.
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I've only seen one other R65 on the road here in the US, in the 28 years that I've owned mine.
????????
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Welcome, Brendan. Post up a few pics when you can... both bikes. We don't read reel gud but we love piktures.
Monte
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Welcome aboard !
It is a labor of love, or an illness, but it is always fun, especially when the airhead is running good and one is motoring along the road.
Be sure to check out our frappr map of members - you might be able to plan a meeting with other R65ers in your part of the world !
Please do post pictures when you are able to do so - we love pictures, especially monte (as you could tell from above) !
:D
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Welcome Brendan and has been said before - post pictures when you can. I'd sure love to see to some before and after photos!
Seems that South Africans (and ex-Boks) have now outstripped most other places apart from the US for members here. Just make sure that you type slowly - I do have a little bit of a problem with your accent..... ::)
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hi all
today i decided to take my new bike out for a run ;D
so i get kitted out in all my gear and off i go about 1km from home all hell breaks loose and the bike starts sounding realy unhealthy so i stop and start investigating :-/
there is oil leaking fron the left cylinder onto the ground well ok.
next my boots smell like petrol.
well try to start the bike ,nothing
phoned my local dealer for help !!
this afternoon they let me know oil scraper ring broke an dammaged the barrel and exhaust valve has cracked and that i need a new piston and a few other problems
the quote $1300 us
now what ?
sell the bike for parts or repair and hope for the best :-[
as a student i was looking forward to using the bike as cheap transport.but it is starting to look rather expensive :'(
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Ouch!
That's going to be a rather pricey repair. Are you very handy with mechanics tools? It may be possible to locate a used/&good condition cylinder, piston, and rings to replace it yourself but you will have to take the heads (do both of them as the other one may also be in questionable condition) to a competent machine shop/mechanica to get the exhaust valves replaced - while they do that they may as well replace the exhaust valve seats and fit them with new valve guides - the exhaust valves seats on the 81-85 R models have a tendency to not transfer heat well- resulting in premature exhaust valve wear and deformation from high temperatures. Doing this expensive repair now would basically ensure that you'll not have to worry about those parts of the bike ever again for as long as you own the bike. Or, if you are not flush with cash and you have a nice 'oilhead' bike already, you could part it out and very likely get back your $600 original outlay.
We'll try to help with advice in either case. Sorry for your unhappy experience!
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That really SUCKS !!!!
I guess it all depends on how much money you want to put into the bike, bringing these bikes back from a neglected life, can be costly at times, so it all comes down to if it is worth it to you or not in cost and effort.
I just put a little over $2000US into my '81 in the last 2 years , after owning it since January,'81, it's almost like a member of the family now !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The current value of the bike is around $2500-3000, so it almost doesn't make sense to continue to put money into it, but I probably will, as long as I am able to ride it. .
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That really SUCKS !!!!
I guess it all depends on how much money you want to put into the bike, bringing these bikes back from a neglected life, can be costly at times, so it all comes down to if it is worth it to you or not in cost and effort.
I just put a little over $2000US into my '81 in the last 2 years , after owning it since January,'81, it's almost like a member of the family now !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The current value of the bike is around $2500-3000, so it almost doesn't make sense to continue to put money into it, but I probably will, as long as I am able to ride it. .
Having said that our Toyota Kluger (non-australians read Toyota Highlander) is 2 years old and just servicings have cost over $2000 in last 2 years. It might be worth more but maintenance and parts cost more, and I can't do any of it myself. I always feel better doing my own work. It might be worth more, but it's also depreciated more.
John
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Hi all,
decided to fix the bike myself and called few airhead friends ,and guess what all of them are willing to help and John a old BMW club friend of mine tells me of an old 1986 R65 mono shock for sale as an donor bike in the suburbs that was involved in fatal front smash. :(
going to look at the bike this evening and they want $500 for it!!
makes me think of fixing my 81 R65LS and converting it to mono shock any thoughts ?
do i have to change my frame or will the drive shaft and gearbox just slide in ? but let me see the extent of the damage tonight
have an good day
Terror
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Engine and trans are the same, frame and pretty much everything else is totally different...
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If the engine/trans are OK in the "Mono", You might pull them as a unit and put them in your LS. Any other parts would be gravy and might be sold on EBay. Heck, you might turn a profit.
Ed
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going tommorow to pick up the R65 mono shock and have decided to use the the engine and gearbox form the mono on my 81 R65 as the mono has low milage and the engine and gearbox is in as new condition from the outside (realy clean no corrosion or flaking )but you never know !!
i am paying only $500 plus i get an crate of varios Bmw parts from R75 -R100 bmw's looks like the owner was an serious airhead fan because in the shed are another 5 bikes between 20-30 years old
well thanx for all the help
till next time cheers
Brendan ;)
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Stick with the Beemer, do all the work yourself and you will be fully qualified as a Paramechanic!
Greetings from Indonesia's only 'Boks supporter and biltong manufacturer!
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Welcome abroad Brendan.
Being a former "Capetonian" for a number of years myself, I still have very fond memories of living in that beautiful area.
While Colin is talking about rugby and biltong - any "inside information" about the reason for the Stormer's poor performance this year ?
Regards
Danie
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Hi all
What an Easter weekend i had myself and group of unpopular men(with there wife's) spent the weekend stripping the R65 mono and rebuilding the R65 twin shock !!
to my absolute amazement everything came together yesterday evening and timing is done carbs are set valve clearance is done and CO's are set ,
took 5 men 19 hours to strip and engine and gearbox out of 2 bikes and replace on one bike .
today Finally i get to ride an R65 :)
now i have to decide what colour to make the bike silver or fire engine red mixed at he moment because of the undamaged red tank.
will post photos as soon as i can bribe someone with a camera
enjoy your rides and be safe :D
Brendan
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Cool!
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Is a "paramechanic" anything like a "paralawyer"? I think I had one of those when I severed a long term contract a few years ago.
But seriously Terror, everything you need to know about the health and well being of your new scooter can be found on this forum. You have but to ask and the wisdom will flow. Good luck to you!
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Yo, Brendan... I you're through with those helpful guys, send 'em over to my place. Justin and I will keep them busy for days.
Oh, yeah... Post some pictures of the angry wives! ;D
Monte who often spends the night in the garage Miller
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Hi Brendon
You're lucky. I'm looking for a donor bike to use as a spare parts bin but I can't find one.
I bought mine for about $900 and spent $1000 doing all the input & output seals as well as a new clutch & spigot shaft. Bought it unseen from PMB, flew down and rode it back (to JHB) without a problem apart from a puncture at the top of Van Reenen Pass.
PS, my daughter is also studying to be a paramedic and just got accepted into Lebone College for that new ECT diploma.
I will be at Killarney on Fri 1st and Sat 2nd of May for Engen Supa Karts.
Good luck .....
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hi yall bike has gone in for a spray job today to complete the colour setup and i am going to fit an R90s fairing to it to make it more comfortable at high speed ,i was also asked if i would like to put in light Wiseco pistons in because it smoothes out the engine and alows beter accelaration and rev limit for high speed (dont want a racer but a classic bike) any thoughts
thanx Brendan
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I do beleive in the saying "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" - so if the current pistons are still in good condition, I would not even think of replacing it with any other brand.
By the way, it is always good to know that not all people who are involved in the medical / health services, are totally against motorcycles.
My daughter is an ICU trained registred nurse (called a "sister" in South Africa - and I beleive in some other countries as well) - and she always try to convince me to get rid of my motorcycles...........
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hi yall bike has gone in for a spray job today to complete the colour setup and i am going to fit an R90s fairing to it to make it more comfortable at high speed ,i was also asked if i would like to put in light Wiseco pistons in because it smoothes out the engine and alows beter accelaration and rev limit for high speed (dont want a racer but a classic bike) any thoughts
thanx Brendan
The R65 isn't a 'fast' bike, and doesn't take upgrades and modifications to the engine very well.
Keep your engine stock, as you can put a lot money into it, and not really see an appreciable increase in performance.
If I had my engine apart, the one thing I would do, is to 'balance' the engine, getting the pistons connecting rods and hardware etc., as close as possible in weight to each other.
Remember BMW stands for Bavarian Motor Works, they know what they are doing when they build an engine, they've got a pretty good design for performance and longevity in the boxer engine.
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Just want to chime in here with a big congrats to you Terror! Not getting down on your knees and crying after your first ride and getting a new engine that quickly plus getting it installed is what Melena and I would called a "bloody miracle!"
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i love this space it is becoming my little blog into the world of R65 ::)
tomorrow i am starting to study again so no more running repairs or working on the bike for at least a week ,but so it go's ,photo'"s of the bike as well as the restoration as well as the wife's of the unpopular men are forthcoming ,only probplem is i am still living in the analogue time (hence the R65) so i need a friend of mine to scan the photos so to be able to post pictures!! :D :D
well folks i need advise going to fetch the bike on thursday from the paint shop and last on the list is tires which works best on the R65?
My fellow Bmw Riders in Cape Town say my bike is like an comunity project everybody is involved in the rebuild in some or other way ;)
well all have a save week on your bike and take care out there
Brendan
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Hi Terror
KEEP the BLOG GOING.....
I fitted a Bridgestone Spitfire 110/90 to the rear (it has already got an almost new Kenda on the front) and there is a huge difference between a worn tyre and a new tyre ..... but I'm not a 'knee down getter' so I can't say which is the best tyre. My Bridgestone was R500.00
My daughter worked at a Kyalami track day yesterday and treated lots of broken riders --- was evidently a day for crashing.
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it is a sad day if you get an free entrance into the track and expect it to be uneventfull and then have to see broken bodies and blood thank goodness for the medics .is your daughter an Baa or Aea great repect to her cant do the races anymore becausee and private ambo service has received the contract, till next time Brendan
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Howsit folks
well first day back at university started with 2 papers lasting 2 hours each ,felt like i was going to die right there ,but the worst was still to come no tires for the R65 is availible in the Cape and best they can do is order me a 90/90/18 and 110/90/18 Michelin macaddam but the prices are crazy and makes me wonder if i should just rather buy new tires for my R1150Gs at the same price and ride on the 15 year old Dunlop tires that are on the bike , tomorrow is election day and i have decided rather to go and ride on invitation with the Classic Motorcycle club even though my bike is ONLY 27 years old
ride safe
Brendan
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What are you studying?
She's BAA but starts her 2 yr ECT next month. She's doing the Sasol Rally this weekend and hopes to be at World Superbike event in May.
With regards to rear tyre, I've heard one needs to be very careful with size as some 110/90 foul the swingarm ...... don't know if is true or just an urban legend.
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I am studying Ect + rescue electives and critical care
will get back on tire issue
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Superbikes and Supersport will be racing at Killarney on 9 May so if you are stuck I'm sure I could get a team to bring tyres down for you.
my mail - info@sa-racer.co.za
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Hi all
have been away for a few days doing rescue hike in the mountains and becoming totaly soaked ,sleeping bag ,shoes the lot and doing endurance training and staying awake 72 hours to test thinking under severe fatigue ,how fun is that?
well my bike is waiting for me in my garage with new shoes ready to go all i need is a good reason to ride !! dont know if i need one but what the heck ;D
the shoes i bought are Michelin ME33 i was told they are the best and was ordered specialy for me from france at the price of a small country, well my R65 is the most expensive bike i have owned thus far. an R1150Gs is cheap in comparison!!
i think i will be starting to suport EBAY in a huge way!!
till next time
ride safe Brendan
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On the ME33 front tire, I'm not sure how cold it gets in your area, but I suspect it's at least as cold as it gets here in Phoenix.
You need to get the ME33 up to 'temperature' before asking it to any serious cornering.
I had my R65 sit out just about all night at work, with a temperature around 32F. (0C.) , and there is a slow speed 's' turn (25mph) as soon as I leave the parking area at work, and the front end just about 'washed out' on me, so give the tires a while to warm up before asking much of them .
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I'll second that for ANY tire I've ever had. I took an on-ramp at about 50 mph (which is usually very fun at about 70 mph) with cold Macadams and it felt just like I had a flat rear tire. It was a butt-puckering moment and I may not have made it through at 70. One of the few times I was ever glad there was a slow cage in front of me...
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Hell guys
glad i moved to the coast where it does not get that cold in the winter min temp here is only 8 deg C still pleasant to ride with Bmw heated rider gear (present from father after a winter ride in Germany )
and hopefully i do not experience my tires not adhering to the tar.
i dont think i will go and ride if there is a risk of black ice and freezing tempratures ,i ride because i enjoy it not to punnish myself ,i once rode across my lovely country in a day starting at 3am and riding solid for 19 hours on my R1150gs for an GS Challenge a whole 1550km's in the coldest weather with heated grips and that was only -4deg C and i did not enjoy it one bit,
Cape Town weather allows year long commuting on a bike with no hassels and gives prior warning to rain (do love riding in the rain)
well all i am off to bed at last :o
enjoy your riding
Brendan
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'I ride because I enjoy it, not to punish myself', a truer statement could not be made in my opinion, at least for me.
I ride all year long, whether it's sub-freezing ( OK I know I live in Phoenix and cold is relative ), or 120 F., I too don't mind riding in the rain, but the foul-ups of other drivers is what prevents me from intentionally riding in wet conditions.
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I don't think I could ride in 120.... Does it get that hot in Page, too? That's where I was born. I'm sure there's a comemorative plaque there somewhere.
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No Ed, Page is at an elevation around 41-4200 ft., not quite as hot as the low deserts, but still gets to 105 F. during the hottest part of the year on some days, but it cools down at night, as compared to Phoenix.
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Hi There
The cape is very gloomy today but my bike just got the new tires she deserves and i chose a 90/90/18 front and 120/90/18 rear after reading a huge amount of reviews on the net ,THANX for the help all !!
The ME 33 tires are ready for the road ,after sanding the mold release off (cant risk sliding on new tires )the roads are damp and i am unfamiliar with the bikes handling still getting used to going old school on a bike ,
next update to follow soon but i am off to buy an open face helmet to suit the image(not shure it is a good idea)but it is an image thing!!
ride safe Brendan