Author Topic: Needs a bit of work me thinks (Read 1571 times)

Dave 2 · « **on:** July 26, 2009, 07:35:44 AM »

Hello all, Now you can see clearly the condition that my bike is in, cobwebs and all. I bought the bike Last July and brought it home in a friend's pickup. It needs a good restoration, but I figured it would be better to just get it running and road worthy. I will start cleaning it up particularly the engine. Someday I would love to have it back to near showroom condition. I'd Love to hear what you all think about the bike and it's condition.
Here is the history of this R65LS that I have so far. Street Cycles looked up on the BMW data base and found that the bike was manufatured in September 1981 and was sold in June of 1982. Most likely the original owner bought it at what used to be a BMW dealer in Belfast Maine. The fellow I bought it from (Frank) said that he bought it in 2001 from the owner's ex-wife at an auction in Belafast, Maine. (when Frank looked up the ex-husband to ask him for some history the guy was not happy that his ex had sold the bike

, unresolved marital conflict ) However Frank had leagal ownership of the bike. Frank said tha bike had been in a barn for seven years prir to his buying it. Frank had the Belfast dealership go over it and had it running happily untill 2004. He had the speedometer sent out for repair at some point, and added the windshield. He stared having problems keeping a charge on the battery. He put in a new battery and when that one also kept on dischageing he put the bike under a tarp where it it had been for three years when I bought it. Considering the short riding season in Maine and the fact that for ten years the bike has not been used I guess the 12,700 or so miles is accurate. So thats what I know, and hopefully I have it back from Street Cycles next weekend and I can actually ride it

Dave 2

Bob_Roller · « **Reply #1 on:** July 26, 2009, 09:13:51 AM »

Not the worst looking 'barn find' that's been shown here at R65.org .

The bike will 'clean up', with a bit of work .

You need to get the safety items out of the way first, new tires and tubes, and a complete overhaul of the brake system to start with .

Then to the carbs, then the transmission input spline lube .

I just got an '84 LS, been sitting in a garage for 13 years, but the desert is a little kinder to a motorcycle, than the New England winters !

Dave 2 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2009, 09:55:28 AM »

[smiley=dankk2.gif]Hi Bob, I guess that you must not get the rust out there that you can see on mine. The dealer has replaced all the fluids, including the break fluid.I believe theymust have rebuilt the carbs, they said that they would if carbs needed rebuilding. They replaced the rear tire, but said the front did not need replacement because there were no cracks (on the sidewalls I assume) The steering head bearing was also replaced. I don't know if lubricating the input spline on the transmission is part of the regular service they do on bikes that have been under tarps for several years, but They seem to be aware of what these bikes need to get them on the road again. When I last spoke with the mechanic he said he had rode the bike around the lot but had not done a road test on the bike, because the leak in the fuel tank came up when he filled the tank The day before he was going to do that. I don't know what he may find following the road test. Does all this sound reasonable? Anything else I should be aware of or ask them to check out? I really appreciate your reply to my post and welcome others' thoughts. Dave 2 [smiley=dankk2.gif]

Bob_Roller · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2009, 10:07:53 AM »

A lot of the work has already been done, before you took possession of the bike .

The transmission input spline is not usually part of routine maintenance, as the transmission needs to be removed from the bike, to do it properly, on a neglected bike .

Dave 2 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 26, 2009, 01:00:15 PM »

Thanks Bob I'll ask the dealer about it.

nhmaf · « **Reply #5 on:** July 26, 2009, 09:36:01 PM »

I have a write up in the wiki section on the transmission removal/input spline maintenance thing if you're game to try it yourself. This is typically a $350 service item due to the time involved for a mechanic to do it, usually done as part of other services at the dealer.

Even if the front rubber passes inspection as far as weather cracking goes, I'd still recommend getting new rubber if the tire is more than 5 years old. The metzlers on my bike when I bought it out of long long term storage passed inspection as far as tread depth, no cracks, etc. but the rubber had gone hard and slippery - leaning the bike over in corners was not a very re-assuring experience with the old rubber on there. There is a 3 or 4 digit code on the side of the tire somewhere near the bead with the year and week the tire was manufactured - actually is should be a 4 digit code, as they started using 4 digits back in 2000 - if it only has 3 digits, that tire is too old IMHO.

Dave 2 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 27, 2009, 03:19:09 AM »

Hey Barnstead, thanks for the reference to your WIKI post, I will check it out. I'm wondering why the spline shaft in particular is vulnerable after having sat unused? I will call the dealer on Tuesday (They are closed on Monday) and have them check the manufacturing date on the front tire, however the last season the bike was used was 2004. So they have been on the bike for 5 years. I think I'll just have them replace the tire. My gut was uncomfortable with only replacing the rear, and never fully trusting the front. Hard and slippery on the front is not a handling characteristic I'm looking for. [smiley=dankk2.gif]

dav · « **Reply #7 on:** July 27, 2009, 07:39:15 AM »

I reckon your bike will scrub up well after a solid tub & alot of polish...mate i uncovered my R65 after 4yrs sitting idle under the house, should have seen the dust & grime, took 3 weekends to bring the shine back, but i was lucky mine was a older restoration....trust me you are gonna have fun bringing her back to life 8-)

Dave 2 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 27, 2009, 07:02:32 PM »

I agree, once I have the experience of riding it, I know it will really be mine, and cleaning it up will be a labor of love

Justin B. · « **Reply #9 on:** July 27, 2009, 07:25:10 PM »

Yes, it should clean up nicely. Compared to the "Junkyard Dawg" yours looks almost new!

One good way to get an idea whether the odometer is in general agreement with actual miles is to look at the footpeg rubber. If the ODO reads low and there is considerable wear on the rider pegs then it's a red-flag.

Have fun with your new toy...

Ed Miller · « **Reply #10 on:** July 28, 2009, 11:35:28 AM »

...I hope that's not a big crack in the block above the cylinder, in the first photo! Other than that I think it looks nice. Good find!

Justin B. · « **Reply #11 on:** July 28, 2009, 11:41:18 AM »

Nah, Ed, just cobwebs!

Dave 2 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 28, 2009, 04:16:49 PM »

Humph! :-? Thank you Justin, it is for sure a cob web, one of many...I called Street Cycles this morning and spoke with Katie in the service department. I said " Hows my bike coming along?" and she replies " Oh, I set it on fire" [smiley=flamethrowingsmiley.gif] I kid you not! She was having a hectic morning! [smiley=wall.gif] The gas tank is back from being sealed, and she saw my bike "putting around" the lot. (How undignified!) I ordered a new front tire and "Depending how the week goes" they may,( i.e. don't hold my breath) have it ready for a Saturday pickup. So whenever they are finished it will have two new tires and a set of Ikon shocks, as well as the mechanical fixes. Sunshine in Bar Harbor today 8-) Dave 2

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