Re: Do any eBay window shopping

[nhmaf]

The bike looks good, and it may truly be original, but a couple things are "weird", to my eye:

The VIN sticker is on the swingarm.  AFAIK, this was never where these things were placed, because the swingarm was removable from the frame, and the stickers were supposed to be on the lower right side frame tube in the US, where they also are, unfortuantely, easily damaged.   But, that location on the swingarm isn't any better as far as damage protection goes.

If it came from the factory with silver wheels instead of the usual white with the red/black paint scheme, it is a bit unusual.  Though, I have seen red/black bikes with the silver wheels, it is usually because they have been repainted.  Generally the silver wheels went on the Polaris silver/black units, and the white ones on the red/black ones.

Still, it looks nice, but it may have had a repaint in my opinion, because of the relocated VIN sticker, etc.

They won't get $4500 for it, but it is definitely worth $3K or a bit more, from appearances.

[nhmaf]

The grain paint inspection marks might be as from the factory - but I've also seen one or two less scrupulous characters dab on paint marks on refurbished bikes and claiming that the marks were original.

When the economy was in better shape, I could see this bike going for $4K or higher.   But, bikes prices have certainly come down these past few years, in the northeast anyway.   The R65LS is dfinitely the pricier of all the R65 bikes, but they are also generally lower priced than the R80/100 airheads of the same period.

Partly why we like them so much - one can get a very nice condition BMW airhead for less cash than what people are trying to get for the bigger capacity bikes, and these are often overlooked by folks who don't realize that they really are the best of the breed.
 

[Barry]

Can't find the bike you guys are talking about. When I got mine at 6000 miles it did have green paint marks on the front axle nut and washer and still does. With the original tire fitted there was a good chance the nut hadn't been disturbed since new.  But who put the dab of paint on ?  I thought new bikes were crated with the front wheel detached so not the factory.

[Barry]

Thanks.  It does look very nice.

I had no green paint in those locations although the plating on my driveshaft nuts hadn't lasted looking anything like as good as good those.

[wilcom]

The VIN sticker is on the swingarm.  

I had an 82 R80RT and the VIN was on the swingarm. Unlike when I sold it,  I believe it was unmolested when I got it.

[bruce_launceston]

My 1984 henna red R65LS came from the factory with silver wheels, I always assumed the white wheel versions were from sometime pre '84.

[Air4Life]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1984-BMW-R65-LS-Original-836-miles-Original-Tires-28-YEARS-/251150694743

Man, they play hard.  Pretty amazing if they get paid...