The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

General Category => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on March 02, 2010, 12:28:00 AM

Title: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on March 02, 2010, 12:28:00 AM
Ahh!  March First! :)

The new dash panel arrived today, as did my tax refund!
So I finally called Chicago to order a new set of touring bags as mine were destroyed in the crash.

Last week, I also ordered a set of the Mac headers off of eBay.  I was wanting to do some work last week, and I looked at my original headers hanging on the wall, and said "ugh!".  Not only are they pretty uniformly rusted and nasty, but the left one has a pretty deep dent in it an inch or so in length.  These new pipes were a long time coming.

I have an area of rust on the frame right by the battery I hope to seal when it gets warm enough to paint.
Until then, all the small bits including the battery box have to stay out of the way.

Sunday evening I fixed the wires leading to the left T.S., which was properly destroyed in the collision.  
I now have a headlight and two turn signals on the front, as well as the tire and brake caliper.
I figure, with the fender being freshly painted, I may as well wait until near the last to put that on.
Now that I have the dash panel, I can finish putting the handlebar stuff together!


Oh yeah - a few weeks ago I finally got a small forced-air LP gas heater.  I can actually get my garage up to 50F!

And the last week of March/first of April, I am taking a week off work just to work on the bikes.  I am committed to having the R65 commutable when I return to work.  8-)


Then, I can concentrate on getting the CB200 on the road!  :D
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: azcycle on March 02, 2010, 08:55:37 AM
Sounds great! Is there a post describing your collision?   :o
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Ed Miller on March 02, 2010, 11:08:25 AM
Good going, Rob!  I think taking the week off is a good idea.  I suck at getting much done after work, I just can't get up the gumption to start on stuff.

Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on March 02, 2010, 02:21:03 PM
Quote
Sounds great! Is there a post describing your collision?   :o

http://www.bmwr65.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1223306185/0

Not much fun to read... :'(
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: NC Steve on March 02, 2010, 10:54:37 PM
It's good to hear that you're getting the ol' '79 rehabbed and running again [smiley=thumbsup.gif] With all the work and new goodies, she oughta be good to go for another 30 years!

By any chance were you able to salvage your old bags? I'm looking for some top latches, to hold the left bag on the Britster closed. Holler if you've got a couple to $ell, OK?
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on March 03, 2010, 12:36:52 AM
Sorry Steve - the bags laid around for about 6 months, and I finally threw them out.
I never thought of them as having any useful parts.

They were UBER-traveled when I bought them new, 5 or 6 years ago.   The original owner used them on his G/S and traveled the world.

It's going to be neat to have brand new ones!  And wth the fancyer, full-size key.  I can even have my ignition lock keyed the same as the bags, I would think.  
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: msbuck on March 03, 2010, 08:41:40 AM
Quote
I can even have my ignition lock keyed the same as the bags, I would think.  
Or Vice versa...  8-)

Steve, parts are available at the dealer (if you want to spend that much).   :P  Or just use a big 'ol bungee.
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: azcycle on March 03, 2010, 12:03:50 PM
Just read the old thread... wow, glad you're healed up nicely!  I broke my left pinkie finger mountain biking three years ago. Shattered the middle bone in 4 places, around the middle knuckle.

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Finlinethumb53.webshots.com%2F46004%2F2218973970100726353S425x425Q85.jpg&hash=09dfd1ee59073d0832068941100c3829dc55d0ce)

Went to a hand specialist and had it operated on, with two pins through the finger and was put in a experimental traction therapy device. Because the bones were broken so close to the joint, if they had put on a cast/splint, the joint would have fused.  So to keep it moving, I had to slide that outer piece inch by inch every hour.  The pain was terrible, and I had that thing on for three months.

click to see the hand in traction! (if you dare ~R)
http://inlinethumb07.webshots.com/43974/2980689690100726353S500x500Q85.jpg

Then 6-months of physical therapy, though my therapist wasn't nearly as motivating. ;)   I still can't fully straighten the finger and can't curl it under 100% but it's much better than what the surgeon thought it would be.

Sorry to derail the thread!



Sorry, man, I had to make that image of your hand in traction a link.   :P
Nothing personal... ~Rob
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on April 01, 2010, 07:55:23 PM
8:47 pm, EDT

[size=16]IT LIVES![/size]

Well, I got it to fire and run by itself, quite reluctantly...

But we should be ready for a trial ride tomorrow!

80 degrees F in the garage today.  I'm glad I have my mesh jacket! ;)
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Melena on April 01, 2010, 09:54:22 PM
 [smiley=clap.gif]  YAY for you Rob!   It's been a long time coming.  That is really exciting.  

I'll bet that was really satisfying to hear it running again, no matter how reluctantly.  They definitely do better when they are run more often.  We definitely want to hear how the trial ride goes tomorrow!!!

Oh, and PICTURES!!!   8-)

Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: msbuck on April 01, 2010, 10:04:48 PM
Yes, pictures, video, sound waves, what ever you can muster up.  Will this will be your first ride on any bike since the 'incident'?  

Hope it all goes smoothly and you have a beautiful day to break in the new ride!   ;D
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on April 01, 2010, 11:10:02 PM
Tomorrow is supposed to be 79F and sunny!
I just bought a timing light.  I think the last time my bike saw one of those was at a local club tech day - several years ago!  I guess it is about time I invested in one.
I dug out my old one - it had springs to connect with the spark plug and the cap!  :o
Into the trash it went....

Saturday is supposed to be cooler w/scattered thundershowers.  Sunday is supposed to be better!

There is some rain (60%) forcast for Monday night (ride home from work).  I haven't waxed my brand new paint on the tank or fender, yet.  I'm not sure I want to get it wet, and I don't know squat about waxes & polishes.  I was planning on going over that with the painter again (and take notes!).  Should I watch that kung fu movie?  ::)


I wonder if my '79 carbs are going to be a problem with the larger valved '81 heads?
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: trolle on April 02, 2010, 03:15:55 AM
Glad to hear that you are on the road again and that the 79'er is alive. If you are interested in a set of crash bars (fastening at frame and front engine fastener), they are yours for one $ + freight.

greetings from a north with occasional showers and 42F~7C
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on April 02, 2010, 10:07:19 AM
Quote
Glad to hear that you are on the road again and that the 79'er is alive. If you are interested in a set of crash bars (fastening at frame and front engine fastener), they are yours for one $ + freight.

greetings from a north with occasional showers and 42F~7C


Thanks trolle, but no thanks on the crash bars.  The headlight works GREAT, though!  [size=14]Thank You![/size]
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Bob_Roller on April 02, 2010, 10:15:24 AM
Rob, do you know what main jets are installed on your '79 carbs ?

My '81, has 145 main-jets, and the LS has 135 main-jets installed .

If you're close to that, I don't think you have anything to concern yourself with .
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: suecanada on April 02, 2010, 10:15:47 AM
Great news Rob!! So happy you are about to get aboard and ride. I am sending all the good vibes I can for you to be calm and confident. It is not easy to get back on. Don't know how I know that???!
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on April 02, 2010, 11:19:54 AM
Bob - no, I don't know, and until I have to, I am not taking any more parts OFF than I have to!
I have my handbook - I will just go by the numbers, and then smooth it out from there.


Sue, I am not there yet, but I hope to by Sunday (we have a small front coming through on Saturday).




Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: nhmaf on April 02, 2010, 12:55:51 PM
Yay, Rob !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope that you have wonderful, warm, sunny ride followed up by a nice cool ice tea or celebratory beverage of your choice when the R65 is back home in the garage.
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Bob_Roller on April 02, 2010, 02:45:33 PM
Rob, did you have the bike painted the same brown color, or did you change it ?
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on April 02, 2010, 07:26:19 PM
Same brown color, by a master painter who has been painting BMW's in Indianapolis since 1977.  I have had Billy Jay's number in my book for nearly the entire 30 years, but Ive never used him.  I had always heard good things about his hand pin striping.

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Ftomfarr%2Fimage%2F122031770%2Fmedium.jpg&hash=5c7341a5122210923f992c1a4918c9881d64d316) (http://www.pbase.com/tomfarr/new_paint)
click on pic

The first 5 are his pictures his wife took.   I kept the tank in the back bedroom until yesterday!  The front fender on one of my stereo speakers, and I had a 2nd gen. tail piece painted and striped for when I get a bench seat. (I wanted the nice storage box of the 2nd gens.)  It sits on top of my turntable for now.  I need to learn to wax (soon), and then I can box up the tail piece.

The paint work is flawless.  The "red" pinstripes are the same beautiful orange as the original.  Deep metallic brown.  I just tried to take a few pictures, right as the sun was setting.  I'll try again, tomorrow.

This is the best of the bunch.  The rest are in the above link.

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Ftomfarr%2Fimage%2F123249560%2Fmedium.jpg&hash=172b36b725d0be9fd2ddce9acf4e8be8511ea636) (http://www.pbase.com/tomfarr/image/123249560/large.jpg)
click to enlarge


When it comes to taking pictures, I'm afraid it's a freaking mirror!  I'm not sure my auto-everything pocket camera is up to the task.

And I'm afraid it was $550 misspent.  Now the rest of the damn bike needs restored. :(
Seriously, though, Billy did do some dent repair on the tank from the crash, as well.  And his little doggies looked hungry...  :'(


 ::)

Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on April 02, 2010, 11:06:29 PM
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Ftomfarr%2Fimage%2F123252519%2Flarge.jpg&hash=635d500094880eb99c86228d22552b4be8b97dc3)
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Bob_Roller on April 03, 2010, 09:12:28 AM
Great looking paint job !!!!
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: suecanada on April 03, 2010, 09:35:56 PM
Wow that brown DOES look great Rob! Who'da thunk it!!!!  This is turning out really well!
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on April 14, 2010, 11:07:39 PM
[split] [link=http://www.bmwr65.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1270069446/33#33][splithere][/link][splithere_end]
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: NC Steve on April 14, 2010, 07:21:34 PM
I must've missed this part or something.  :-?

What frame did you buy, the one on Ebay?
Sounds like you must have gotten a good deal somewhere.

What's the story here, Rob?
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on April 14, 2010, 11:10:17 PM
Quote
I must've missed this part or something.  :-?

What's the story here, Rob?


Sorry Steve, it appears I had two threads going.

The frame I bought was from a IBMWR ad, and I believe (I could be wrong) NHMAF turned me on to the ad, initially.

See the technical section...  ::)
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: NC Steve on May 02, 2010, 03:08:44 PM
Rob, now that you have that beautiful new paint job, you probably ought to get rid of that nasty old black gas tank cover cover, don't ya think?
It would be a shame to cover up such nice paint with a dusty old piece of vinyl.  :-?

I'm willing to help you gain some shelf space if you wanted to be done with that dirty old thing. Of course, I'd send a few bucks too, as I know how expensive these bike rebuilds can be.  ;)
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on May 02, 2010, 06:05:58 PM
It has your name on it, Steve.

I am leaning towards parting out, again.  

This oil spill is just too depressing to keep thinking of using gasoline for pleasure.
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Justin B. on May 18, 2010, 09:47:04 PM
Quote
This oil spill is just too depressing to keep thinking of using gasoline for pleasure.  
Oh, c'mon, Rob!  It would be a sin NOT to ride after all of the grief you've went through getting to this point.  But, if you prefer to walk or ride a horse then you can store the bike down here and the planet will heal!
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Semper Gumby on June 08, 2010, 10:43:30 AM
Yep the spill is a bummer.  But we are saying prayers in church.  I'm going riding this weekend up to Hiawassee GA for the British in the Blueridge.

That pin stiping guy does it by hand?!  I might need his services one day on the A65 Royar Star.  What's his contact info.  Ah I found it on your pbase site!  Jeepers he does nice work.  Those curves look perfect!

Your paint looks supar!  Be a shame not to ride it!   :'(

(ride it - don't denigh it)
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on June 08, 2010, 03:59:11 PM
Hi Bill.

yes, Billy Jay has been painting and hand striping BMW's in this area since before I bought my R65!

He repaired my leg shields and repainted them, as well.  Freaking gorgeous!  He now has my Honda CB200 tank.  It has a large, shallow dent in it.  I am just having him remove the dent, for now.  When that project is complete I will have him do the paint, if I am still gainfully employed.

I have started tearing into the Honda a little bit.  I guess this will just be a summer in the garage.


I wonder, if I got my replacement frame painted, if that would inspire me?
Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Ed Miller on June 09, 2010, 10:50:47 AM
"I wonder, if I got my replacement frame painted, if that would inspire me? "

Yes.  Or maybe a ride on another R65, to get you hungry for that again.

Title: Re: Putting my bike back together
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on June 09, 2010, 03:30:35 PM
I have actually ridden the current incarnation around the park a few times, trying to sort out the tuning, but I had to quit because I knew that clutch arm was not happy hitting the frame.

Actually I am feeling very vulnerable.  I hope to find some nice armored gloves for the future.