new nc r65 owner

[NC Steve]

According to these folks, http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/index.htm  , where all things BMW are made known, that is a valid R65 #, and manufactured in April '80, as Bob said. Beyond that, it's hard to say. See if the engine #, embossed in the cases above the oil dipstick, matches the one on the frame.

Are those indeed spoked wheels, and not the usual snowflake "mags"? If so, what size is the front, 18" or 19"? You may have an older /6 front end adapted to your bike, among other things.
But hey, that would just give the bike more character, right?  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

i-man,

For the serial number on the engine, look where you add oil to the engine.  It should be on that boss on the side of the engine.

[Patrick_Krivacka]

yes those are wire rims, not the snow flake rims. I'm happy with the wire rims. I  prefer the look .  I like to run tube less tires, but I understand that most people use tubes in their snow flake rims anyway. I believe the front is 19''. I'll check when I get home. Right now I'm at work on the campus of Duke University, home of the 2010 men's b-ball National Champions! Sorry, I had to work that in somehow.

[Patrick_Krivacka]

I'm home from work. Yes, the front wheel is 19''. the serial number is the same on the frame as it is on the engine. what doe's this tell us?

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I'm home from work. Yes, the front wheel is 19''. the serial number is the same on the frame as it is on the engine. what doe's this tell us?

That you have a R65 with matching numbers, but with every /6/7 add-on imaginable.
I can't wait for some close-up pictures.

[NC Steve]

Well, it tells us that you do indeed seem to have a 1980 R65, that someone in the past has apparently grafted the entire front end from an older /6 or /7 onto. And, they also added the rear wheel, and maybe the rear subframe, judging from the sidecovers, etc. Maybe a previous owner had an "incident", and used some spares laying around to fix up the R65. I'd imagine there would be a good bit of adaptation necessary, though.

Hmmmm.... :-?
If you have contact with the PO, I'll bet there's an interesting story there somewhere.

[Patrick_Krivacka]

oh boy. I have contact with the PO, but he only owned it for a short time. He is an older gent who's wife decided that it wasn't safe for him to ride anymore. I believe he was honest, either that or he's a criminal mastermind who needs to use his considerable skill to make more money then he made off me ; ) . I guess I could see if he could put me in contact with the owner before him.
 Is there a problem with this. i mean,  besides it being a grotesque monster! ; ). I must say, i like how it looks and rides. I actually find all of this r65 CIS interesting. Where do we go from here? Rob, what would you like to see closeup photos of?

[NC Steve]

Personally, if you're just planning to ride the thing and aren't all hung up on resale value, and everything works as it should, then who cares what it is? It would be good to identify what's what to have the info for service and parts, but beyond that, if you're happy with it, that's all that really matters.

Some folks get all hung up on "originality", and that has its' place of course, but if the bike goes, stops and handles safely and well, then you've got a great conversation piece there, much more so than some old "stock" R65!  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Nah, nevermind the pictures.  I was wondering if it was really a R65 tank, but if it is the original frame, I am sure it is.  The other was the forks, but again, more of a curiosity than anything.  

And don't worry about what I think, for heaven's sake!

[montmil]

i-man,   Just tell the inquiring minds that your scooter was a one-off, Euro-only, test prototype released outta the Beemer Skunk Works in Stuttgart. That oughta keep 'em searching the internet while you're out riding the thang.

Monte

[Patrick_Krivacka]

Nc steve- your right. I'm not too worried about it, except for the re-sale, which I'm not overly concerned with right now anyway. I actually bought the bike to be my commuter and to put many miles on. I also agree that I'd like to know the history just so I know what I'm dealing with.

Monte- I think I'm going to tell people that it was made by a bmw employee who was inspired by that johnny cash song; the one where the guy 'liberates' parts from the cadilac assembly line over the course of his employment and builds his own car.

Rob- i actually wouldn't mine posting some pics for you and everyone else to comment on. At least I might find out what seat I should be looking for!