R65LS Questions

[tvrla]

The best repair I know of (and have used numerous times) is Paul Sturges (503 550 9674) who welds up the area and re-machines new threads. It makes for a repair totally undistinguishable from new. I highly recommend him. Cost is about $70. Tell him I sent you -

[Red_Hen]

Thanks, wirespokes.

I'll keep his number!  

Today a (3) friends came by to help me with the project.  We drilled through the existing holes on the flange and on the head. One friend, Niel, a retired engineer used two aluminum aircraft rivets to secure the flange.  Nick, my other friend who just rebuilt my Honda 125 SL engine gave his blessings on what Niel had in mind.  Randy, my neighbor and friend helped with a thread file to file down the rivet on the underside of the exhaust flange.  Once the rivets were attached (not with a rivet gun but tapped in and flared with a special ball peen hammer, everyone was satisfied that the flange isn't coming off so fast.

Meanwhile, I consulted Bruce in Australia and Rob Valdez about a nice head on Ebay off an '83 R65LS that only had 15k miles.  I bought it for about $107 and plan to get it cleaned up.  I also offered him a price for the left head (of the same engine with 15k) so I may end up with a spare left & right head, just for good measure.

Right now, the bike runs awesome.  Going to take short trips until I build my confidence about the integrity of all components.  She's got a mean growl with that Lufmeister pipe.

I'll post pictures later - going to take a siesta - been quite an emotional ordeal but happy to say All is Well with the Red Hen!

[Red_Hen]

Okay, as promised, here are pics of the bike and the exhaust flange repair  As mentioned in prev post, I bought another head with good threads on Ebay so I have a plan b.  I'll get it cleaned up and when I'm read will send this head off to get new threads.

Thanks for all your help!  Couldn't have done this w/out the support!

Here's a link to my website that shows the pics of the repair and of the bike:

http://gallery.me.com/kentuvman

Btw: the dental floss worked like a charm for removing the old badge and replacing with the new one!

[nhmaf]

YAY!

Hope that you bought those fellas some beers!

Hooray for spring time riding!

[Red_Hen]

Here she is:



Want to see more pics of her and the exhaust flange repair?

Click here:  http://gallery.me.com/kentuvman

[suecanada]

Looks great...so shiny. Paint really that perfect? Mine has lost paint especially on the front of the 1/4 fairing...just worn thin from road grit over the many miles. Still shines up really well but up-close viewing is a bit disheartening. I guess it shows the bike is used!