The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => General Announcements => Topic started by: John M on January 09, 2013, 10:18:04 PM
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Hi everyone ,Happy New Year . Picked up this 1984 R80 ST in September. It hadn't been plated in 9 years. I didn't take any before pictures.
Seals, brakes, carbs, top end rebuild, fluids, have all needed attention.
I am moving on to cosmetic renovation now (new colour scheme and general clean-up) Its starting to look good. Hope to have it plated and on the road by early April. A completely different character to my 1986 R65 . Also including a few Cape Breton picture from this Sept.
A great place to visit ( especially on motorcycle)
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The ST is presumably one of the nicest riding airheads you can get - and that one looks beautiful!
Last time I was in Nova Scotia was a teenager - that was several decades ago - I gotta go visit again sometime.
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John, it's pretty tough to find a decent R80 these days. Looks like you scored a winner. I really like the spoked wheels. Please keep the photo updates rolling in. I'm drooling already.
Your tour photos are very professional. What do you shoot, camera wise?
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The bike was an oily mess,with an ugly original greenish silver factory colour (scratched up and rusty). when I picked it up I checked that the engine was free and the starter turned it over with my R65 battery.
I got it running poorly on one cylinder and was enveloped in a smoke cloud as the exhaust collector box warmed up and the oil started to burn off. I turned it off and left her until I returned from Cape Breton and then stripped top end ,bores, pistons and rings looked good so I took heads ,pistons and cylinders to Gord Bush Performance in Toronto who did my R65 heads. He thought the valves and guides on initial viewing look good enough for re-use , however he called me two days later to let me know that the exhaust valves and guides needed replacement as the valves were warped (new one to me,but I trust him completely) I look forward to actually riding the bike as I have heard all the good things said about the R80 ST( should be great fun on the gravel roads around our cottage) . I will keep everyone updated with more pictures and a ride report( I hope by late March if weather allows I will get it out for a break-in run )
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I've always wanted to do the Cape Breton ride, and after seeing these lovely pics, am more determined now than ever! Congrats also for scoring that nice R80ST! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
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Hi Monte, photos were taken with an Olympus XZ-1 which I find is a great travel camera since it is not too large yet has a very good fast lens.
Best Regards John Muir
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... Best Regards John Muir
Is this a pretty cool coincidence or what? Our new forum and R80 owner, JohnM, posts some pro-quality scenic photos. later, we learn his full name is John Muir. Say what!
John Muir -naturalist, writer, conservationist, and founder of the Sierra Club. Look it up.[smiley=beer.gif]
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full name is John Muir. Say what!
He just calls himself John Muir, he's really Ansel Adams
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Shhhhh......... don't blow my cover. Seriously any suggestions as to how to carry that that honking big camera on the back of the bike would be much appreciated.
Regards John-----(A.K.A. Ansel)------Muir
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If storing the camera in one of the hard cases is not what you were looking for.
1- some dedicated riding jackets have pretty big pockets (look at some of Firstgear's stuff (My old FG Kilimanjaro could store a DSLR in one of the front pockets if you really had to
2- Tank bag - many different manufacturers and prices - some even give you place to 'lay down on' during longer rides :)
A 'hard shell' tank bag might even be more protection if you want.
3- in my younger/foolisher student days, I had a shoulder bag (satchel) that I would wear when commuting - I adjusted the strap so that the bag sat on the rear seat and kept the strap wrapped around me like when I was wearing it walking around.
I've seen many writings that forbid wearing a satchel or backpack when riding - the fear is that the bag will complicate your body when you have an accident or otherwise leave the motorcycle (strap catches something - motorcycle drags you along, or instead of landing on your back, you land on your backpack, which has a sharp item in it that pierces your skin etc...
4- The old stand by - the bungee net - cheap, easy, mostly reliable.
the camera you mention doesnt look that big ?
-John
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Hi John, good to hear from you!!
I see Monte caught on to your John Muir name like I did. He's a smart one!
Now you have one nice looking machine there in that ST! Ever consider riding to Salem Oregon with one of them next summer to the National BMW rally?
My LS made it to Missouri's BMW National last summer and if I get the spline lube done maybe, just maybe, I'd think about heading west. It may be cooler there although I'd keep on HWY 2 in the north to hope for the best.
I think my camera which was a Canon Powershot probably did break my 6 ribs when I fell in Sask. I have no idea why I thought I'd have it around my neck to take pictures... of what???...waving wheat for 100 miles!
My brother lives in Baddeck Cape Breton and he rides too. Has 3 bikes too. I am often riding to there. Considering going to Nfld.this summer with him if i don't go west. If i do both i'll never be home!
Meet ya John J. and Mike in upper NH as I cruise by enroute?? I have always taken the USA route to New Brunswick. Place to stay in CB! In tent or shop though.
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Good to hear from you Sue, My niece lives in St John's NFLD. I hope to ride the rock although it won't happen for a few years . Salem Oregon is very tempting but too far while I'm still working(our busy season). My wife Margie and I rented a house in the Margaree Valley (Cape Breton)
from a member of Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group for 1 week (only $650) It was an ideal base to travel around the island from.
Regards John
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Hi John,
Which Hannigan is that on the mono (R65)?
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Hi Semper, I am not sure which variant of the Hannigan I have . The fairing Was on the bike 4 1/2 years ago when I bought it,at that time it was in the original black gel coat colour. The first winter I painted the fairing to match the other cycle parts and also re-welded the mounting bracket to position the fairing approximately 1" lower and back about
1/4". Perhaps someone else on the forum can I.D. which Hannigan model the fairing is. Here are some before and after photos.
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ooooOooOOOOoooOOogh! That's nice!
(motorcycle porn) [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]
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Got the bike out of the shed Sunday morning for an appraisal for insurance purposes and got insurance arranged today . The policy starts at the beginning of April so safety and plates will I hope be done by then.
Here are some photos from Sunday morning Regards John :D :D
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That is lovely, well done.
Have you used the kick start on it? (assuming it's dual start)
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I have not started the engine with the kickstart yet. I have used it to turn over the engine when rebuilding the top end.
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Wow!! Absolutely stunning John!!!
Who did you have do that paint job? And did you use a BMW paint code like the Henna Red? Seems redder than LRB.
Does the ST weigh bout the same wet as LRB?? ~456 lbs.?
I adore the seat..looks so comfortable. And did you sit for days on end polishing the front engine cover. I am just blown away....well done!! [smiley=clap.gif]
Good to know that the ad in the CVMG News for that cottage on the Margaree R. is legit and worth it.
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I think the ST is a little bit lighter than the R65 (maybe 10-15 lbs max)
The paint is Duplicolor Fleet Red from Canadian Tire (rattlecans ).I sprayed the cycle parts then wet sanded down to 2000 grit then used polishing compound. The front cover took about 1/2 hour to polish . Started with a random orbit sander with 120 grit to remove the texture from the Aluminum then proceeded from there with 3M polishing discs and metal polish finally. This saturday I started the bike and synched the carbs .
She is very torquey compared to my R65. Best Regards John
We still need to connect for a ride this year being so close when I am up at the cottage . Only about 45 minutes from Meaford.
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The ST is higher, lighter and has less full capacity, has the same HP. Looks like may be 20 lbs. lighter at 436. Not sure if they count battery, all fluids other than gasoline.
Sure, we should meet for a ride...are you going to go to Paris this year in June?
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If you have a spare front wheel and axle I would love to have it for a the R65 front end I have. I'm trying to put it on the front of a BSA frame. (madness I know)...
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Hi Semper ,I only have the wheels that are on the bike. I belong to the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group and know of several people who have multiple British bikes and parts for them, I can ask if you wish What year and model of BSA do you have. Regards John
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That bikes looks much too pretty to be out in the snow!
Well done, John - it looks wonderful!
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Thanks Nhmaf , I don't mind the snow, it's the salt thats the killer. The bike looks better in the photos than in person unlike myself that I hope looks better in person than in photos.
Regards John
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If you have a spare front wheel and axle I would love to have it for a the R65 front end I have. I'm trying to put it on the front of a BSA frame. (madness I know)...
Are you sure? My Triumph's suspension is better than my R65's.
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Lovely machine John!
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Just waiting for a mechanical safety at my home, then plates. She runs well , lots of torque. Much easier to manuever at low speeds due to lighter weight and wider bars than my Hannigan fairinged R65.
Best Regards to all John Muir
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Just put in what is I hope my final order to Motobins for the R80 st before safety inspection ( new rear brake shoes ) The rear brakes worked so well I hadn't bothered to check them till today ( only a little over 1/16" of lining remaining in the middle of the arc of the shoe ) thinnest I have ever seen. Regards John
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John, I agree with everyone who has posted, that is one lovely motorcycle! You have done a beautiful job on everything, I expect you will have lots of joy riding that around. [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]D2
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Those are 2 BEAUTIFUL machines! You're an artist in many ways....
[smiley=beatnik.gif] [smiley=camera_sm.jpg]
Made a trip to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland way back in the 80's. One of my MOST memorable trips. It would be a dream to go back someday.
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Thank you for the compliments on the bikes. I am champing at the bit to make the R80 ST legal. Then it will get a proper break-in run and a better carb sinc. I am very surprised at how different it is to ride than my R65.
Thanks again and happy riding to all John Muir