The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => General Announcements => Topic started by: JimJ on August 24, 2008, 08:20:33 PM
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Hey all...figured this would be the right place to make a first post :)
Here's my situation. I'm looking at getting into motorcycling. I'm 22, a college student, and I want something that'll not only be an economical commuter for when I feel like that but also something I can take up on the great mountain roads we've got around here (I'm in Blacksburg, VA). I'm not a terribly big guy - 5'8", 150lbs. My questions...
- Is an R65 way too much bike for me to learn on? I'll be taking the MSF class of course, I expect to take my time doing a lot of practicing before even thinking about heading out on public roads.
- Secondly, I've got about $2500 to spend this fall...is that a realistic budget to find one in good condition? I see a lot of ads for airheads out there on IBMWR.org and elsewhere but a good majority of them are well over that. I'm thinking maybe in the off-season prices will relax a little.
Thanks in advance!
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Personally, I think it would be a good bike for you to start on. Glad to hear you're planning on taking the classes. Once you take the BRC, you'll have a better feel for the bike. Sit on one, see how it feels. I'm a tiny one for the R65 and it was my second bike, but for someone your size I think it would be just fine. Not enough power to get you in trouble, but enough to have fun with.
I would like to think you should be able to find one for that price range. You may have to spend some time waiting for the right one to come along. There are nearly as many of these around as the some of the other airheads, but you'll find them with patience. This form will be a good place to watch as when they do pop up someone usually makes a post about it.
You can have plenty of fun on this lighter, nimble bike. Good luck!
Oh, and WELCOME to the forum! 8-)
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After a couple decades of nothing but off-road riding, I discovered R65s and the street. Here in Texas, we can avoid the motorcycle "M" endorsement Practical Test at the Dept of Safety by showing your MSF diploma. It was worth the effort. School provided goofy 125cc YamaKawaZuki chopper wannabie motorcycles. Pretty funny...
The R65 will do all you want it to do. Usually stone-axe reliable but strongly encourage you to buy both the Clymer and the Haynes service manuals. The different viewpoints and service tips are worth the duplication.
$2500 can get you a nice R65... unless you just have to have a concours winner right outta the box. You may have to range far afield to find a suitable purchase but there are many folks here abouts that might offer to go check out a potential buy.
Good luck with your search. Stick around here and ask questions. We're all friendly fire.
BTW... Have you looked at the forum's Trading Post? http://suraklyn.com/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=Tradingpost
Found my R65 on CraigsList. It was a "must sell, I'm in distress" good deal for me! Consider cutting a couple classes and research this site for tips on what to look for during a pre-buy inspection.
[smiley=beerchug.gif] College guys... ;)
Monte
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The R65 COULD be a good bike for you - depending upon how quickly you learn, who is teaching you, and your skill level. A 250 is often recommended for beginners but will be quickly outgrown and will not be good on your hills. My fiance began with the R65 and still loves it after 3 years. She did drop it often in the first year though.
Don't discount the other small airheads - R60/6 /7, R75/6 /7 etc. The R75 has the same 50 HP but is slightly heavier and not as nimble. May be a little cheaper. Be prepared for minor repairs to start with. My R75 needed a carb rebuild (I drove it home on one cylinder) and my R65 needed steering bearings (they were notchy). Both fixes were accomplished in an afternoon of work in the driveway. With a little luck you should be able to find something in your price range.
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Welcome aboard!
I agree with the above. The R65 is a great bike, be it first, or (in my case) last.
If you are at all mechanically inclined you can do almost any service or maintenance task yourself. Just pick up the manuals, do your web searching, post your questions here, and invest in a few tools. If you're lucky, the bike should come with almost all the tools to do standard tasks. maybe even the manuals.
I also tracked mine down through craigslist. You need to go around the surrounding states/citys craigslist ads and see what's out there. Fall, Winter can often be a time to find nice bargains. But anytime is a good time to start looking. Took me 3-4 months to get a feel for what I wanted vs what was available. Still, I needed to invest in a bit of maintenance and replacement of worn items to get it where I was comfortable with its condition. Many people might think my investment might have been misplaced, but probably none on our forum.
If you see one advertised in a location that is a reasonable distance from you, post it on the forum and you may find one of us located close enough to go look at it for you.
Good luck,
Ed 8-)
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Thanks all. Glad to know at least I'm heading in the right direction :)
I plan on doing as much work on it as I can learn how to do, I'm very hands-on in that way. Hopefully I can find something in the Raleigh, NC area, that'd be nice...my folks live a little west of Durham and I spent the summer there making a section of the walk-in basement a nice little shop for when I'm there and need an enclosed space to work on the bike :)
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Welcome aboard JimJ
Troy
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Welcome, Hokie Jim! (I'm assuming; after all, you could be at Radford U. rather than VaTech. ;D ) I grew up in Lynchburg & was one of the relatively few males in my high school class who did not go to Tech, so I have standing to use the local dialect.
When I returned to riding a year ago on Labor Day weekend after multiple decades of no activity, I specifically looked for an R65 after a considerable amount of study. Here's why:
I'm shorter than you, considerably older, and have become more comfort-loving than I once was. I found a 65 locally, bought it, and have never regretted my choice.
The R65 has more than enough low-end torque for slow riding on the hills in and around B-burg. It's extremely responsive, agile, and stable, and can hold its own in both comfort and handling at speeds up to 65, perhaps more. (YMMV) It has an unusually low seat height for a BMW, making it an excellent choice for a smaller person. The bike is very light for a 650, weighing 452 pounds, fully fueled. At 5'8", you should have no problem with a standard seat and shock configuration. But if it feels uncomfortably tall, the seat can be altered or shorter rear shock(s) can be installed to lower the bike another 1/2" or so. As a writer pointed out on another web site, it doesn't have a lot of expensive plastic and chrome, so it doesn't cost a fortune if it gets dropped a few times. Summary: if you want a bike that's a lot of fun at sane speeds, I think if you can find an R65 in good shape, it would be perfect for you. (If you want something to scream up and down I-81, that's another matter.)
Someone has already recommended Haynes and Clymer. I agree, but I suggest also finding an owner's manual for the specific R65 configuration you end up buying. BMW exported several versions to the USA 1979-1987. (There were more versions worldwide, but they weren't officially sold here.) I say this because my Clymer's, despite covering my R65 (among other sizes for the period), talks about things that are totally different from what's on my bike. The correct owner's manual can clear up the ambiguity. There are folks in this forum who know far more than I, and can help you find a manual and give you technical help when the time comes.
You might check out Blacksburg & Roanoke to learn whether there is a BMW community, hopefully with some airhead owners. The R65 is extremely owner-maintainable (except for a few major tasks), but there's a learning curve that the manuals sometimes don't address adequately. Lynchburg has both a fair number of riders and a dealer (Hammersley), but that's a long ride if you need to have work done. (Some Carolina dealers might be closer.)
Good luck & keep us posted.
John
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My advice is to go for it, but! If your budget is $2.5k max then negotiate the price as close to $2k as possible. No matter how good the bike looks you are going to need to buy a few parts to make it right. There seem to be a lot of '81 R65s around and if you can find a nice one (like I did) they can be had for about the low $2ks. I had to travel 300 miles or so but it was worth it after I compared it to others that were for sale closer. Craigslist and IBMWR are probably your best resources for used bikes. I've looked at a couple of R65s for $1.5k or less and they were pretty rough so take someone who knows when you go to look! Get as much service history as you can. Have the clutch splines been regularly lubed? Has the gearbox ever been apart? Any play in the rear wheel drive splines? Regular oil changes and services? These things and more can cost thousands to put right so check them out as much as possible. BMW bike parts are surprisingly affordable but a lot of small things that don't look like much can add up in a real hurry. Let us know what you find!
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Welcome, Hokie Jim! (I'm assuming; after all, you could be at Radford U. rather than VaTech. ;D ) I grew up in Lynchburg & was one of the relatively few males in my high school class who did not go to Tech, so I have standing to use the local dialect.
Yup, VT it is :) Feeling the crunch on campus now, can't wait for all the people who are going to drop out to do it and for people to stop going to class as much...at the end of the semester it's so much less crowded :D
(If you want something to scream up and down I-81, that's another matter.)
That road is scary enough on four wheels, I don't want to find out what it's like on two. If I was heading back to NC I'd probably take Rt. 8 or something through Floyd and then head east to Martinsville...won't be in any hurry, and on a bike I can imagine I'll appreciate winding, slower roads better anyway :)
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Welcome, you have just joined a great forum. Go for the R 65 - you won't find a better all round bike
Colin Anderson
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The best advice I can give you is *ear plugs*.
The wind noise generated at speed quite high. I wish I had known about them back when I was your age.
My favorites are EAR EARSoft Grippers. They used to make them cordless, but now you have to buy them corded and pull the cords out.
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Ftomfarr%2Fimage%2F102235534%2Fsmall.jpg&hash=eff815a1ef27fd920631d7fa4d79b94173bbaeeb) (http://www.ahsafety.com/product.asp?id=466)
Good luck with your search.
Don't expect the bike to be trouble-free right out of the gate.
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Hi JimJ
Welcome to the Forum. R65 have been driven all over the world, in deserts on sand, in snow and in torrential rain. Mine traveled from Jacksonville to SanDiego in 44 hours and 36 minutes. It's a great commuter bike that can also go the distance.
If I had my druthers I would have a late model mono (1985 -1987) but I have had my 1980 R65 since 1991.
TTFN,
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Welcome, Hokie Jim! (I'm assuming; after all, you could be at Radford U. rather than VaTech. ;D ) I grew up in Lynchburg & was one of the relatively few males in my high school class who did not go to Tech, so I have standing to use the local dialect.
You might check out Blacksburg & Roanoke to learn whether there is a BMW community, hopefully with some airhead owners. The R65 is extremely owner-maintainable (except for a few major tasks), but there's a learning curve that the manuals sometimes don't address adequately. Lynchburg has both a fair number of riders and a dealer (Hammersley), but that's a long ride if you need to have work done. (Some Carolina dealers might be closer.)
John
I've learned this year that the Roanoke/Blacksburg area has an excellent group of riders, may of them Airhead jockeys. Take a look at http://twinvalleyriders.com/ , and check out their forums, tech info, etc. They're a great bunch of guys who love to ride, on all shapes and sizes of machines, and include our very own J. Hirst, who took my own lovely '84 R65, "Blue", and broke my heart. ;)
Also check Morton's BMW in Fredericksburg, which I'm told by the locals is a better shop for actual service work. Hammersley reportedly concentrates mostly on new bikes and internet parts sales. Carolina BMW down here in Greensboro is a good shop too, and many of the TVR boys visit there on occasion.
http://www.carolinaeuro.com/
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I think the R65 would be a great cycle for you to start learning on. I started on a R27....250cc but then I was 58 and my learning curve was a bit......wider..slower than yours. I live in the Texas hill country..........while not mountain roads........there are many twist ,turns, sharp bends, steep hills and sudden dips. The R65 can be a little bit under powdered on a really long, sharp climb.
However, the bike is so nimble.......so sweet handling in all those turns. The R65 has to be the most nimble of all the airheads..........certain more so that her larger brethren.
Also...while you dream of mountain roads.....you may find that your cycle becomes your every day transportation in a urban environment...more mundane but necessary. In a Urban environment the R65 excels. I shoot out of the hills into the heavy traffic of Austin and the bike is at home in both worlds. But I do avoid the interstate. I say go for it. I later added a sidecar to my R65 which is a whole different world.......with good and bad dimensions added. Good luck!........Oh, I am 5 foot 9.........160 pounds and the bike was a really good fit for me..much more so than most of the airheads.
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Scotty, Still have the R27? Gotta picture?
Always have a warm spot in my heart for my first bike. A R25.
Ed
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No, I no longer have the R27. I sold it to help defray the cost of the R65.......but also because I just wasn’t riding it once I got the R65......was just gathering dust in the garage. It was a hard decision.....and I am not sure I made the right choice. It was one of those barn finds that looks like chit.......but was rebuilt into a really sweet little cycle. But also ..........as one Dutch rider told me....... needs to be fine tuned after every ride or change in the weather.
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Very cool 8-)
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JimJ wrote: << Feeling the crunch on campus now, can't wait for all the people who are going to drop out to do it and for people to stop going to class as much...at the end of the semester it's so much less crowded >>
Times do not change at VT. I heard the same thing from my high school classmates who went there. At that time, being admitted to Tech was easy. Graduating from Tech was another matter altogether! Tech had an unbelievably high academic attrition rate then, especially during the first year. Don't know what it's like now, since its admissions policy has become quite selective.
JimJ: << That road [I-81] is scary enough on four wheels, I don't want to find out what it's like on two. >>
A wise man indeed! I-81 does not have quite as many crazies as I-95, but it has *many* more 18-wheelers (supposedly one of the highest percentages in the USA). I used to drive my '66 VW (still have it in restored state) on round trips between Lexington, VA (school) and Fairfax (my home) nearly every weekend. The trucks bothered the Bug quite a bit until I installed gas-filled Bilstein shocks, heavy sway bar, and a camber compensator in 1994. The lightweight R65 gets even more shifty in wake turbulence from an 18-wheeler at 70 mph.
Like you, I take the "blue highways" (secondary US and state highways) whenever possible. I don't even like riding from Fairfax to either Bob's BMW in Columbia/Jessup, MD, or Morton's BMW south of Fredericksburg because Bob's (50 miles one-way) requires a half-circuit of I-495 around DC *plus* a dose of I-95, and Morton's (same mileage) requires a larger dose of I-95, though it's possible to take the old US Rt. 1 (a killer highway with a suicide 3rd lane instead of a median strip) to Morton's.
I nearly forgot. Old US Rt. 11, replaced by I-81, still exists as a parallel roadway to the Interstate, though I think 81 was built on top of the old road in the Blacksburg area. If you can access the old road, it's a really good ride. (BTW, Rt. 11 from Roanoke to Lexington is spectacular, especially in the are of Natural Bridge.) Not much traffic anymore, and just twisty enough to be interesting. Try riding it and imagining how dangerous it was before I-81, when trucks were everywhere and the road was a three-lane suicide strip.
Another good ride to your folks' home in Carolina: Take Rt. 11 (as much as you can) to Roanoke, then take US 460 to Bedford (time permitting, see the 100-acre National D-Day Memorial at Bedford). Traffic on 460 is generally light, 4 lanes (divided), pretty ride. From Bedford, take Rt. 221 (the old US 460), a pretty 2-laner, to Lynchburg. Pick up US 501 south at Lynchburg and take it all the way to Durham.
Good hunting!
John
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Just rode from Chatham Mass to Atlanta GA in 20 hours on the R65 utilizing I-81 and I-77. I much prefer I-81 to I-95. The east coast corridor is a not much fun. Sceanery much better on I-81. Plus Lexington, VA has a truck stop that is world famous. I guess the trucks don't bother me. I look at them as the moving barn door that cuts down the wind for me....
http://www.leehi.com/
TTFN,
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Lovely R27 Scotty. Thanks.
Bill.... You practicing for the Alaska - Key West run?
You always mention the one way trip. Did the R65 magically appear in Mass, or did you ride it up there Monday??? ;D
Ed
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Semper Gumby wrote: << I much prefer I-81 to I-95. >>
So do I! I'd much rather deal with a truck convoy than the I-95 loonies, some of whom doubtless enhance their natural psychosis with one or more chemical kickers.
Gumby, you triggered my salivary glands when you mentioned Lee-Hi Truckstop (Exit 196?)! I spent many very early mornings there in various stages of disrepair. It's not on the menu, but if you ask the server, the kitchen will make up an order of 2 country ham biscuits, each almost as big as a saucer. Indulge at one's own risk if blood pressure is an issue, but the taste is worth it.
Interesting coincidences: I drove to and from Atlanta 11-15 August, and to and from Boston 20-22 August. Unfortunately, cages for both (1 for Atlanta, 2 for Boston) because they were family trips. (Continuing ed. in Atlanta for me, combined with vacation for the others. Boston convoy was to deposit daughter at Boston College (Control yourself, Hokie JimJ! ;D )) I was outvoted on the route to Boston, so we took i-95. Coming back, I got my way, and we took I-84, 81 (briefly), and US Rt. 15 from Harrisburg (PA) to Virginia. It's much better: nearly no tolls, great scenery, takes the same amount of time despite being about 75 miles longer. The cost (gas vs. tolls) is a wash. I think the latter will be our customary route from now on.
BTW, Rt. 15 is another great scenic road to ride. Be aware, it's heavily patrolled in PA, MD and VA.
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Boston convoy was to deposit daughter at Boston College (Control yourself, Hokie JimJ! ;D ))
:D
I grew up outside of Boston...didn't pick up the accent, though. Go Sox :)
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Welcome Jim, and GO Hokies!.
I'm just down the slab from you in Roanoke, and will definitely second Steve's suggestion that you check out Twin Valley Riders ( www.twinvalleyriders.com ) they are officially a chartered BMW club, but take "all kinds". I have a bit of trouble keeping up with the sport-tourers on the twisties, but they are friendly, understanding, and patient with us airheads.
feel free to contact me directly with any help you need, and good luck.
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JimJ wrote: << I grew up outside of Boston...didn't pick up the accent, though. Go Sox >>
And you went public with that at VT? ;) I mentioned to a friend who's a big Hokie fan (is there any other kind?) by marriage that my daughter would be at BC. My friend acted like I had said something socially inappropriate. I got the distinct impression that after BC rained on the Hokies' football parade in Lane Stadium, they're considered the enemy at Tech. (From what I read, BC is not considered a football threat this year.)
One thing different that I noticed about Boston is that there's no longer a huge amount of dog poop on the sidewalks or in the street. When I lived there, it was necessary to keep eyes down constantly and dance down the sidewalk. Think the city might have passed a dog ordinance that's actually being enforced? Otherwise, Alston/Brighton smells the same in late August as it did then. (Trash becomes really ripe from being on the curb several days.) Also, there's the sidewalk bazaar just before the universal lease turnover September 1. All the exiting students abandon unwanted furniture on the sidewalks, and incoming students (and thrifty locals) scavenge it. (My first year there, I found a solid maple apron-leaf dining table on the trash pile, refinished it, and used it proudly for a long time until I had to get rid of it a few years ago pursuant to a unilaterally-mandated furniture upgrade.) Mother had never seen anything like the disorder of lease-turnover week, and had a hard time dealing with the appearance of both the apartment and the street outside.
I went to grad school at BU (BC's arch-rival during hockey season, for benefit of members not familiar with the local culture). Daughter is living in the Allston/Brighton student ghetto, < 1/2 mile from where I used to live. Harvard Street north of Commonwealth Avenue hasn't changed in decades. South of Commonwealth in , it appears to be much more gentrified.
I really like Boston, but it's definitely an acquired taste, especially the drivers. We convoyed two cars on the trip; Mother, who drove car #2, was in shock at the end of the day. Daughter said there's no way she wants a car while she's there. I hadn't driven there in years, and it was an experience for me, too. IMO, Boston drivers win the prize for worst I've ever seen in the US. I moved from Germany (in the Army) directly to Boston. My impression at the time was that Boston drivers were as fast and aggressive as German drivers, but lacked both the skill (from very extensive & expensive driver training & examination) and concern for their own vehicles that German drivers have. About 20 years ago I read a nationally syndicated news article in a US newspaper with the title, "Even the Cops Drive Crazy in Boston." it contained a hilarious article about a two-car demolition derby in the former Foxboro Stadium (can't remember its present name) between a man and a woman after a Pats football game. The woman reportedly won by hooking her rear bumper inside the forward edge of the man's rear wheel well, hitting the gas hard, ripping sheet metal all the way to the front wheel well, then driving away triumphantly.
J_Hirst wrote: << check out Twin Valley Riders ( www.twinvalleyriders.com ) >>
I did, and I tried to register for the forum. Sorry for my ignorance, but does anyone know what's a VIP Code (required to register)? Joining TVR isn't required, but this code is. (I've sent an email to the site administrator, asking for advice.)
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...One thing different that I noticed about Boston is that there's no longer a huge amount of dog poop on the sidewalks... Think the city might have passed a dog ordinance that's actually being enforced?...
Ya sure it's the dogs? Go Texas Longhorns! ;D
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(BC's arch-rival during hockey season, for benefit of members not familiar with the local culture).
Beanpot! In the Gaahhhhhden [smiley=mad.gif]
J_Hirst wrote: << check out Twin Valley Riders ( www.twinvalleyriders.com ) >>
I did, and I tried to register for the forum. Sorry for my ignorance, but does anyone know what's a VIP Code (required to register)? Joining TVR isn't required, but this code is. (I've sent an email to the site administrator, asking for advice.)
I'd be curious as well, although most likely I'll end up joining anyway :)
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Welcome to the club. I have had four BMWs, Kawasaki 750 and Moto Guzzi Flacone in my life (now I'm 48). R65 is nice bike to start with. Japan is great country and they make good bikes. Italia is nice country. BMW will never realy die on you. If it starts at all, you'll get from point A to point B. Now I'm riding fourth BMW and it's '83. r65. Sweet little engine and this one is going to stay with me no matter what. Although it's like never ending story because there is always something that should be done, you'll gonna have great time and lot of fun. Get manuals and some tools and that's all. BMW needs lot of love and care but it will return it 10 times. Don't think about your size. R65 is like bicycle comparing with R80 or R100 (I still have r80 rt). It's not like these new MP3-Bluetooth-5.5 megapixel-DVD-giga-mega-ultra-wireless-microwave-environmetal friendly-PVC-PET BMW-s (nothing personal 8-) ) but for the abecedarian as you it’s more than that. You can ride it and you can learn about bikes on it. Go for it and you'll never get strong-enough reason to regret the decision. At least, you can always ask for help and solution is always simple enough for you to deal with. There is nothing pan-galactic spectacular on this bike and that's its quality. You don't have to be Obi Van to ride it. Good luck and may force be with you :)
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Boston drivers were as fast and aggressive as German drivers, but lacked both the skill (from very extensive & expensive driver training & examination) and concern for their own vehicles that German drivers have.
ever tried south-east Europe? Hahahahahaha
and above all, 30 years old trucks pumping D2 black smoke 20 meters behind leaving it on the road for garbage men to shovel it up at about 3am . Yust keep your head up and breathe normaly ;D
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http://richmond.craigslist.org/mcy/816937148.html
Hmm, all I need is something like that to pop up in a month or so :)
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Hey, jimj:
[Tried to PM you, but my browser burped on me. I've been having big-time Net problems for about a month, so I'm almost positive the fault is with my ISP. Apologies in advance for cluttering the public space.]
Check my posting today on this subject on the Trading Post forum here. At an initial asking price of $2.5K, (1) it's at least within striking range; (2) Ellicott is on the south side of Baltimore, if my memory is correct; and (3) the member of BMWBMW Club who sent out the alert supposedly lives in the general area. Couldn't hurt to go to the site, contact the member (if possible), and check out whether he would be willing to assist. (He rides an R65, also.)
If you have difficulty with bmwbmw's site, PM me. (Please be patient if you don't hear from me immediately -- see reference above to problems, which won't be resolved until next Thursday at the earliest.) I'll try to get the information to enable you to contact the club member. (Unfortunately, my schedule doesn't permit me to ride up there -- it's somewhere between 50 and 75 miles one-way around the DC Beltway & up either I-95 or the Balt-Wash Parkway.
Good luck! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
John
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Thanks!
MD is a bit too far for me right now I think. I was kind of hoping to stay with bikes within an hour or two of Raleigh so at least if someone needed to deliver it to me, it wouldn't be very far. Worse case, I could find something kind of local to where I'm at in VA and keep it in a friend's garage until I get a hitch/trailer for my '94 E-150 to bring it to NC.
At least they're out there 8-)
Unless I come across some major gem in the next couple months, I'm kind of shooting for buying something in November...I have a week and a half off then so I'll have time to pick it up and maybe do some troubleshooting if I need to. I also need to go to the NC DMV and have some questions that I have answered :)