The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => General Announcements => Topic started by: Wankel on June 05, 2014, 10:29:59 AM
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Hi All! I just bought a 1981 R65 and am awaiting delivery. Hopefully, she will arrive next week or the following week. I am new to Airheads and this is my first classic. I currently ride a 1983 Honda C70 Passport scooter and 2010 Ducati Monster 696. Former bikes were a 2006 Yamaha R6 and 2009 Honda Ruckus scooter.
I have been more of a car guy so I am not very well versed in motorcycle mechanics. I am trying to grow my knowledge quickly.
The previous owner said I will definitely need rear shocks, a rear tire, and service the forks. Any recommendations on these items?? I searched on the forum but have not found much...maybe I just need to get use to where everything is on here. Enjoy the pics...a little birdie told me you guys like pics. :) Cheers!!
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Wankel? Do you have a rotary in your past?
dat'sa good looking R65. Plus you snagged one with dual front disc brakes and hard case bags. Some bags have a nasty habit of self-opening as you roll down the highway. Straps are highly recommended to keep 'em closed. Terribly embarrassing to see your whitey-tightys stuck to the grill of some chic's Fiat.
The missing left side cover is unusual. Usually, it's the right side that ends up being run over by following traffic. The lift handle often keeps a loose left side cover on the bike. Run a red zip tie through the louver vents and around the chassis tube to prevent loss. Not real tight or you'll break the cast resin cover.
That's an R65 Owners Manual available as a pdf in the FAQs Section. I'd suggest you also score a shop manual from Clymer or Haynes or both.
If you have the BOGE OEM rear shocks, a swap to Hagon shocks won't breal your bank and are popular with several R65 forum members. Front fork service might include new seals, a fluid change and maybe the internal "bumoers" that disintegrate over time. Fork disassembly will be required. Ask questions before you yank 'em off and apart.
And yes, you're correct. We love photos of members bike... any and all.
Welcome to the asylum. Resistance is futile.
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Nice.............. looks like the carbs have had some work done, did you get any history with it ? and don't be offended if anyone calls it a Cow [smiley=cowsleep.gif]
Lou
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montmil...I sure did have a rotary...'94 RX7. Quite a fun, sexy machine.
Lou...if you're referring to the side bags, I like hips on my girls ;)
As for the rear shocks, are there any others I should look at besides Hagon? I see there's a set made by Progressive. Any experience with these or others? I like to look at all options before purchasing. I see some cheapies on eBay from Australia also...JBS if I recall correctly. I wish Koni still made the rear shocks for the R65...love their stuff!
For the forks, I see Progressive also makes a set of springs with progressive spring rate. Would these make a huge difference in the handling of the bike? Since the forks need to be serviced, I am considering changing the springs while I have it torn apart.
I will be riding the R65 mostly in the city, and New Orleans is famous for our potholes!!
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centre stand needs work too!
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There's also another thread recently discussing rear shocks. I've found the Progressive rears, which arrived on my '81 R65, to be very stiff and providing a choppy ride.
Dave Quinn http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/ sells Hagon shocks and will set up a pair to match your specific bike when you provide him with your ready-to-ride weight and a few other R65 questions.
The Koni design is now produced by Ikon in Australia.
Opinions are mixed as to the value of the progressive fork springs; trending downward. I heard a long-time Airhead owner say that the best installed position of their fork springs is vertical... in the rubbish bin. Problem is, you have to buy 'em before you try 'em. YMMV
Once you strip the forks, you might find the OEM rubber damping bushing/s to have rotted away. Replacing these economical parts will improve the front end performance.
Recommend you avoid the, "cheapies on eBay from Australia". Most likely Chinese junk. You will get what you pay for.
Set up your suspension to avoid those NO holes. ;)
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Also, I see your bike has the rubber-covered-coathanger type of shift lever linkage that was the factory "misstep" of the time. If you find that shifting the bike is causing you grief, you may find that some of our members here have fabricated a fully adjustable, sturdy metal shift linkage with Heim-style joints on either end that I've found are a signficant upgrade in the shifting department.
+1 on all the above - grab the riders manual PDF from our FAQ section and read it to acquaint yourself with the bike, location of various drain holes, oils, etc.
And, do keep your eyes open for scoring one or both of the service manuals mentioned (Haynes, Clymer) - each of them do have some errors in them, but we've mostly all learned where most of them are, and the (2) manuals do cover different topics in different levels of depth.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. Do try to use the search function as best you can (be aware the default search window is only 1 week ago, so you will most likely always have to adjust that when looking for older stuff.)
Most of the R65-specific things are in the Tech section, but there are "gems" scattered throughout. And, we don't mind answering questions - at one time or another, we were each at the stage you are at, though in some cases that was more decades ago than anyone will admit!
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centre stand needs work too!
What our resident Dead Head fan is referring to is the centerstand appears to have some wear -either on the stand tabs or the chassis where the stand makes contact. Pretty common issue and lets the stand move far over center. Too far and the bike will be easily tipped over. Plus, it makes grunting the bike up on the stand a real hernia-inducing chore. That and the "Civil war mini ball" that you have to stomp on.
Two ways to cure the over-center stand issue. 1) Source an '83 or later stand that has a nice, square foot pad, or 2) Live with the ball but have some weld built up on the stand or chassis -inspection will reveal what's needed- and make putting the bike on the centerstand easier.
BTW, parking the bike for more than an hour or so allows engine oil in the left cylinder head and pushrod tubes to pool and create an oily smoke cloud when you hit that starter button. Tell your buds, "They all do that." Of course, they won't believe you.
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Thanks for the great info guys! My bike arrived Friday evening, but they forgot to bring the key so I have to wait another day or so before I get to fire her up. She looks much better than the pictures I posted.
I ordered a new center stand for an '83+ and ordered a set of rear shocks from Dave Quinn.
Front forks seems to need immediate service so that will be on top of my priority list.
I will be changing all fluids and could use some recommendations of brand/weight of oils to use for the following:
1) Engine oil
2) Gearbox oil
3) Final drive oil (Does this include the drive shaft housing?)
4) Brake fluid
Am I missing anything as far as fluids are concerned?
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There is a separate fill and drain plug for the drive shaft. Drain thoroughly and refill with a measured amount using a little less oil than specified. 120cc is plenty and too much can migrate some place else. The method of measuring depth in the manual is misleading. If you want to be sure there is enough in rotate the rear wheel and watch that the drive shaft just picks up a film of oil on it's lower surface.
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I feel a little like an evangelist but you mentioned needing a new rear tire in your first post. The one thing that improved the handling of my bike more then anything else was a new set of Metezler tires. You can check the week and year your tires were made, it's stamped on the sidewall to see how old they are. Mine had great treat but were 10 years old. New rear shocks helped a little in control but tires made the difference. Sermon over
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Regarding your front forks,
Here is a good YouTube video by Chris Harris showing how they come apart:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymse3196ORY
And how they go back together:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNHC00THAbw
Dave
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Welcome to the asylum. Resistance is futile.
We are dyslexic of Borg. "Your ass will be laminated"