The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => Chit-Chat => Topic started by: Enertech on December 05, 2012, 07:08:30 PM
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I joined the forum earlier this year but due to a too hectic schedule I have not posted anything about myself or my passion/insanity for motorcycles – mostly old.
I have had a number of BMWs over my riding career, but sold them all as I found them too tall – I am 5’7”, or too big. My K75S was a beautiful bike in many respects but in a parking lot it was a pig and I never got used to the buffeting of the S fairing regardless of what windshield I put on. My R1100RSL was just too big for anything less than touring. Then I got interested in older bikes. I restored a 69 Bonneville and a 72 Commando from baskets as well as a 67 Harley Davidson Sprint (Aermacchi) and a 75 CB400F. During this time I realized that these were really fun to ride, but aside from the Honda, required constant attention which I enjoy. This meant that for periods of time the bikes were not available due to ongoing repairs & maintenance, parts on order and time constraints etc. What I needed was a “modern” bike and airheads were definitely on the list. I tried to buy an R65LS on two separate occasions, but a deal could not be struck either time. I really fit the bike well and it was a blast to ride.
I went to the January 2012 Motorcycle Super Show in Toronto and in the vintage display area sat a showroom condition 1984 R65. I thought that an R65 it was the perfect fit for my modern all purpose bike and my stature, and set about looking for one for sale in the Toronto Area. Shortly thereafter one came up for sale on the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group web site (CVMG.ca). It had a link to a Kijiji ad and upon clicking it was not just any R65, but the one that was on display at the show. I made contact and a deal was struck. WOW - I bought a “new old stock” 1984, R65 with only 5,000 km (3,000 miles) on the clock - what a privilege to find it.
The story goes that a guy bought it new in 1984 and took it on one 3,000 km trip. He liked it so much he put it on display in his basement where it was admired for 25 years. It was then sold to an airhead aficionado for his wife. I guess his wife would rather be in back than riding – my wife is the same. He put 2,000 km on the bike but realized that you can’t ride 4 airheads at the same time, so he sold it with 5,000 km on the clock. That’s where by good luck I was able to get her.
It was ready to go and all it needed was new tires. I won’t ride on old tires. I installed new Avon Roadriders as I have had great success with them on other bikes. While installing them I replaced the tubes, but considered running tubeless as many riders of bikes of all makes have done so successfully. I can tell you, I am glad I didn't, but that’s another post to follow.
The bike has been just great and fits the bill when I don’t want to ride one of my older bikes.
Just wanted to say that the forum has been great so far and I have received some great info from other members – thanks!
Winter is upon us and up here it’s time for restoring – too cold to ride. This winter’s projects are a 68 Honda CD175, a 75 Honda 400F café and down the road 83 R65 is waiting.
Cheers Dan
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Excellent post, Dan.
That's a beautiful, nicely equipped R65 by anyone's standards. Enjoy the ride.
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Sure, pictures of the beemer are nice, but do you have any of the SuperSport??? Or maybe some good parts sources?
I have a '76 400F in Canary Yellow that is, sadly, waiting for parts and repairs.
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Hi Matt - what parts are you looking for? Are you just getting it to be a runner or a restoration?
The best source of parts is still the dealer - just bought a new rear rim, spokes & a front fender, but if you can't get what you want then David Silver Spares in the UK will have it or CMSNL.com in Holland has all kinds of Jap bike parts.
Dan
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You have a couple of very fine looking bikes, Thanks for the photos and happy riding. D2
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Finally made it back to this post, nice looking Honda!
Long story short, I low sided my 400, it slid across the road and into a ditch. Right before the ditch, the handle bar stuck and flipped the bike up, and then down, onto watermelon sized rocks. So my tank has a nice big dent, bent the handlebars.. lots of other stuff.
I've replaced the handlebar and the foot peg, levers, turn signals. I think I could use the tank "as is" until a solution can be found, since it'll be a) expensive and b) hard to find. Needs new shocks, battery, couple other fiddly bits. Oh yea, and my exhaust is a bit rusty and scraped. Once it's back on the road, in a couple years I'll be thinking frame off restoration. Got about 24000 miles on the clock now, the top end is weepy and burns some oil.
I keep planting money in the yard and watering, but the drought around here must be brutal, because I just can't seem to get my money tree growing.
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Sorry to hear about the slide and dump! These bikes are really nice, but you always have to make the decision to do a frame off resto with the idea that it will cost more to do than its worth. With this in mind I still do many restorations because I enjoy the challenge and love to get old bikes back on the road. If you just want a nice example, sell your "parts" bike and look for a great example (unless you are attached to this bike). Virtually all parts are available if you look and you can end up with a new old stock bike. At 24,000 miles you will certainly need a cam chain, tensioner and guide and perhaps just rings or 1st over pistons. These motors are pretty much bulletproof.
Here are some pics of my latest rebuild for a cafe racer. It has 468 cc pistons and should fly!
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A little sad that I'll have to wait to see the in progress pics of the resto of my old girl. I guess she's been waiting a dozen years now she can wait a while more. Are you going with a solo seat on the Honda?
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myfishingpictures.com%2Fdata%2F524%2Fmyr65.jpg&hash=6d988c6d4819a66c7d38bc7d0cadb3f82ce8a300)
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It's going to be a full cafe racer with alloy tank, seat and fenders. I also have a new old stock exhaust for the bike - it should look as good as it will go!
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Great a couple more Ontarians!! Oh so welcome. Who knows those R65's may want to go west to Salem Oregon next summer! I am in Meaford. Are we anywhere close?
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Hey Sue, I'm in Kitchener and I believe Dan is in the Toronto area.
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Lordy, those are shiny bits! I'd be hanging 'em on my Christmas tree. Too pretty to keep in the closet.