New (to me) R65LS

[Ptech]

Good morning from "Colorful Colorado".  I recently acquired a 1982 R65LS that I have been trying to buy off and on for over 15 years.  The PO finally decided that since he hadn't ridden it since 1992 his riding days were probably over and called me to see if I was still interested.  It has been stored covered, in a heated garage since he parked it 10 years ago with just over 15,000 miles on it.  Since I hadn't seen it for a while I decided to go give it a look even though I'm a bit space challenged for motorcycles.  (one car garage, 2 Harleys).  When he uncovered it it was like a time machine.  I was taken back to my last airhead, a 1984 R100RT, which I had sold about 10 years ago.  The bike isn't perfect cosmetically, but it's darn close.  Gleaming Polaris paint including side covers, (is this normal?  most photos show them black), no rust anywhere, factory hard bags, I had to have it.
After an intense 20 second negotiating session (he gave me a number and I agreed) the bike was mine!
Having been sittting for almost 20 years it needs all the things done you might imagine.  That has already started with the rebuilding of the carburetors which weren't nearly as bad as I thought they were going to be.  I'm hoping to have it mobile again by the end of September.
Regards
Pat

[Bob_Roller]

Welcome Ptech,

Sounds like you got yourself a great 'barn find' bike .

It's amazing what you can find out there .

Welcome to the 'dark side' .

[montmil]

Well, Pat, you've got some explaining to do to your HD bikes. Tell them they must learn a few German words if they expect the new girl to play nice with them.

LS models usually had black side covers along with a black painted portion on the lower area of the fuel tank. All designed to make the LS look a bit slimmer.

Welcome to our asylum. See Nurse Ratched for after hours activities. [smiley=mad.gif]

Post up a photo when you can. If you've lurked here abouts, you know what we say... No photo? The bike doesn't exist.

Monte

[nhmaf]

Welcome aboard!

Always nice to have another R65Ls in the group!

Monte is right - originally Hans Muth had the LS models with black sidecovers and the lower part of the fuel tank also painted black, to visually give it a longer, lower appearance.   Many bikes are repainted over the years and/or lose their sidecovers (be sure to ziptie yours on through  the little "grille" area to the frame tube) and the replacements are pricey (and need to be painted).

Mike

[Ptech]

Thanks for the welcome Bob and Monte.  
After explaining to the Harleys that the local BMW dealer had everything I've needed so far except a left side cover which had to be ordered and took 3 days, and everything I've needed for them has to be ordered and takes 1 to 3 weeks, I think they understand.  As long as they get ridden regularly they're content.
I've been pleasantly surprised at the parts availability so far.  I've gotten carb kits, floats, float needles, carb intake boots and battery straps, all on the shelf.  I hope my luck holds when I get into the brakes and drive train.
Pics will come as soon as I download them from my camera.
Pat

[Ptech]

Hi Mike,
Neither of my covers were missing, and both appear to be original paint, but the left one had a brokn tab on it and was somewhat shopworn from rattling around in a box of spares I got with the bike.  It had apparently been removed when the battery was taken out and languished among filters, cables, engine guards, handlebars and such.
The lower portion of the tank is black.
Pat

[Ptech]

I made a mistake in my first post.  I mentioned the bike had been covered in a heated garage since it was parked 10 years ago.  That  should have said 19 years ago.  It was last plated in 1992.

[darrylri]

Be sure to put a tie-wrap through each sidecover and around the frame.  They are infamous for jumping off the bike, a very strange trait not normally associated with beemers.

[MotoGuy]

Good advice on tying the sidecovers!

[jg928s4]

Pickshures ? ?

[Dave 2]

People in California seem to have so much fun