Yet Another Newbie -

[DavidPorter]

I have a 1982 R65LS bought new at BMW Park Lane in London in July 1982, pre-ordered in US spec (high bars, EGR, 85mph speedo).  My wife and I rode down to Winchester and Salisbury on the south coast, then across Dartmoor and coastal Devon, Bath, Stratford, York, Edinburgh, Stirling, up to the south end of Loch Ness before making a mad dash back to Heathrow.  We shipped the bike back and in 1988 I rode it across the country to San Francisco.  I picked my wife up at the airport and we rode down US 1 to Los Angeles to deliver the bike to a friend who was buying it.  He rode it for a few years

[Justin B.]

Sounds like it was a nice time.  So, you have possession of it again?  You can join the small club, here, that bought their bikes new and still have them...

[DavidPorter]

I guess I hit the "post" button.  Anyway, my friend moved back to Bethesda MD and we completely stripped the bike to get the rusty frame powder-coated.  In the process he had it painted a Jaguar titanium silver with gray wheels (don't ask).  He moved eventually to North Carolina but didn't ride much.  Then he had a stroke (fine now, full recovery) and two years ago he put the bike in his pickup and gave it back to me with only 14,000 miles.  Considering that the bike was free I bought a bunch of new parts including NOS exhaust, carb kits, caliper kits, brake lines, master cylinder, etc. and had the bodywork repainted the original Henna Red.  The wheels are still gray, maybe after everything else is up & running they'll be white again.  I am nearing the end of re-assembly.  I am a little worried that the clutch may be totally stuck after all these years, and if so it's going off to Bob's BMW for that and a precautionary spline lube.  Bob has a pristine red LS on display in his shop, a local Mecca for all things Beemer.

The bike has Koni rears and a deep sump and a Telefix fork brace, otherwise stock.  Anything else I should be thinking about?

[DavidPorter]

And a photo, if I can get this right.

[Bob_Roller]

Sweet looking bike !!!!!

Did I fail to mention, that I lust for a red LS !!!!

And exactly how many tool boxes do you need in your garage ??

Obviously one is not enough !!!!

[Justin B.]

Looks like you have a pretty good start on it, much better looking than mine...  

[DavidPorter]

Garage kept most of its life, all original stickers, tools, keys, parts & shop manuals, even the ditsy cable lock that fits in the upper frame tube.  I need to buy some hardware so the rest of the bike lives up to the new paint.  

I was a little peeved when I first saw the bike in London with the high bars (American, huh, must not be the sporting type).  At that time I would have preferred the sport bars, but now I wouldn't last half an hour in the crouch.  

One thing I don't have is the R65LS stickers that go on the side of the fairing next to the signal stalks.  On the red bikes these were black, but all Bob's can find are the blue ones that came on the silver bikes.  Anyone know of a source?  I know there are people duplicating all sorts of NLA decals out there.

[Bob_Roller]

The black decals, BMW part number : 51142301516, from what I can see, are no longer available, unless you find some 'new old stock' from someplace.

[DavidPorter]

(Bob) Actually left to right are bead blast cabinet, tool box, parts washer, tool box.  Two is probably enough, but I outgrew one toolbox a few decades ago.  I'm just hoping I saved enough working on cars & bikes for 45 years to pay for the tools at least.

[Bob_Roller]

After closer examination, you are correct on the bead blaster and parts washer, but your on 'thin ice'  with two toolboxes mister, you're on 'double secret probation'   !!!

[Jon_P]

hi david! i have a great uncle that lives in MI that shares your name. nice bike! welcome to our little part of the world.

Jon Porter

ps anything in that little frig if a fellow r65 owner stops by?