Greetings Everyone!

[BenjisMoto]

Hello,

My name is Ben, and recently I was able to purchase my very first road bike! After saving up for 2 years I finally had enough dough to buy myself one of the most beautiful bikes ever made by BMW, a 1981 BMW R65. My father has been an Airhead for his entire life and grew up around the beautiful machines. Naturally, so did I.

I am currently living in Argentina for my first semester of University, but I will be moving back to California in early december (where my bike is currently being stored). When I get home I will become a lot more of an active member I am sure and I will post as many photos of my bike as everyone will allow me, until then I hope to learn as much as I can from reading through the forum and asking questions to the more experienced and wiser members.

As for my intentions with the R65, I have grown up around traditional Airheads and helped my father work on his whenever possible. The years that I have spent with classic stockers really made me gain a deep respect for the machines, exactly how they came out of the factory. That being said, I am a kid eager to explore new styles and really try to make my bike a representation of myself as best as possible. At this point I am not exactly sure what I want to do with my bike, however I am almost certain that I will be doing some modifications. I hope that everyone will be able to respect me all the same.

Thanks for reading, and I cant wait to really get started and dive into this new and amazing hobby/lifestyle!  [smiley=grin.gif]

I will leave you with really the only pictures I really have of the R65 (sorry iphone Photography, wont happen again)

[MR.E]

Welcome along mate

Looks a clean example, look forward to seeing how you restore it or add your personal touch.

All the best

[Bob_Roller]

Welcome Ben, as has been stated you have a great looking example of a bike there .

Looks like it was well taken care of and low mileage as well .

Doesn't look like there will be too much work to get it back on the road again .

[nhmaf]

Welcome aboard!
 Looks pretty clean & straight - I agree it doesn't seem like it should need much.  Definitely want to get some covers to protect the unsealed back of the instruments - or are you planning to replace them with a digital replacement?

[BenjisMoto]

Thanks Everyone,

Right now the bike is in full running order and I would already be on the road if not for my current school/living situation in Argentina.

Eventually I will be replacing the instruments with a newer Acwell setup.

Thanks for all of the support, cant wait to start!

[MR.E]

just make sure you bin those bars!!  

[BenjisMoto]

Hey guys just made a quick sketch of one idea I have been playing around with what do you think?

just make sure you bin those bars!!  

this probably makes total sense, but again, quite a noob here, what exactly do you mean?

[montmil]

England-ish to California-

Bin = Trash

[marcmax]

I don't have a problem with clubman bars. I rode with a set for several years before I finally switched to clip-ons which are even lower. If the position is comfortable to ride I see no need to replace them.

Your drawing is kind of reminiscent of what I turned my R65 into. The only difference is it looks like you want a /7 tank instead of the R65 tank. Just be aware it will require a relocation of a lot of electrical bits as the tunnel under the tank is different.

[BenjisMoto]

England-ish to California-

Bin = Trash

Ahh thats what I expected. I have been thinking about that, I really am not a fan of really low handlebars, I would prefer something more flat like a euro handlebar. The only reason I made my handlebars low in the sketch is because I don't think I can draw flat handlebars  :-/

I don't have a problem with clubman bars... under the tank is different.

I am planning on using a /7 tank, my dad recently bought one to replace the dented tank on his for R75/7 but we decided it would be more fun to fix the tank ourselves, so the new one goes to me!
I have been hearing about that, I am hoping it wont be anything too difficult, luckily I have a fair bit of wiring experience, so maybe that will help.
I totally agree with the comfort bit, I have minor back problems that limit the positions that I can sit in (snowboarding accident a few years back) and out of all of the bikes that I have sat on (mostly 70's CB's, Airheads, Triumph, etc) to find an ideal position, the bikes with lower than stock handle bars and rear sets seemed to fit me pretty well, surprisingly much better than the stock setup which i've been told is the most comfortable. I plan on riding quite a bit and probably doing the occasional long hauls, thats one of the reasons I bought this bike, its perfect for quick rides from town to town, but it can also hold up as a light touring bike.
Gotta love the r65!

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

The biggest challenges to the /7 tank besides the wiring will be the rear mount.
Easily done, but it will involve some welding or otherwise modification of the rear mount.  But since your dad has a /7 and you have a R65, you have already noticed the differences and what you have to do about it.

I loved the Euro bars on my R65, and I am sorry I never got around to putting rearsets on it.  My feet were always finding their way back to the passenger pegs...

[MR.E]

Yeah the bars are really not my cup of tea, they'd ruin the look of your bike if its to come out as in the sketch.

Look forward to seeing it unfold though.

All the best

[suecanada]

Hi Ben, I'm from Canada and I bet a lot older than you. I have enjoyed reading your posts already and I think our forum here has been honoured to welcome a "real smart young cookie". A pleasure to make your acquaintance! Maybe even I can make a suggestion or comment worthy of your newest passion. I do like cafe designs...just maybe I'm too old to be comfortable for long. But maybe I should just go faster so the wind supports me!!

It is interesting to me that you are from California and going to uni in Argentina...hmmm? No need to respond..just interesting from a Canadian point of view.

[BenjisMoto]

Hi Ben, I'm from Canada and I bet a lot older than you. I have enjoyed reading your posts already and I think our forum here has been honoured to welcome a "real smart young cookie". A pleasure to make your acquaintance! Maybe even I can make a suggestion or comment worthy of your newest passion. I do like cafe designs...just maybe I'm too old to be comfortable for long. But maybe I should just go faster so the wind supports me!!

It is interesting to me that you are from California and going to uni in Argentina...hmmm? No need to respond..just interesting from a Canadian point of view.

Thank you for your support and respect. I would love to hear your suggestions and advice, I have an open mind and everything helps!

I actually have very close friends relatively close to you, in Munising, Michigan. You are not the first to say that! Long story short, I am currently enrolled at Northern Arizona University in the school of Hotel and Restaurant Management. The reason I am in Argentina is because I am fulfilling the mandatory internship hours for my major. I am taking my classes online while working and living here for my first semester.

I don't want to bore you all with my current situation, but if you are interested you can checkout my blog at argentinequarantine.tumblr.com

Thanks again for all the support!

-Ben

[65shawn]

Good looking foundation. Looks that someone has upgraded some things already.