R65LS "Rip Van Winkle"

[badbmwbrad]

Greetings to all of you.  I'm a new forum member; having joined to learn of and share operating experiences about the R65.  

I just purchased a 1983 R65LS.  Its former owner bought it new, rode two tours - Nova Scotia's Cabot Trail & toured White River Junction, VT - then "quit riding while still ahead".  He put it on the centerstand in a heated garage, oiled the cylinders, removed gas, battery and covered it.  After it had "slept for 28 years", he decided that he was never going to ride it again.

Outwardly, the bike doesn't seem to have aged except for the slightest hint (tiny) of rust on the tank side.  Inwardly, the steering head bearing grease has hardened/separated and the clutch wouldn't disengage.  The brake fluid within the master cylinder turned to a dark amber color.

The carburetor fuel needle jets were varnished and the left float bowl was full of green oil (probably leaked out from cylinder during initial storage preparation).   I suspect the fuel petcock strainer is probably varnished too.

I'll be reading forum posts to learn about this bike and will share experiences (mostly technical) as they're learned. Bradley

[Lucky_Lou]

Welcome to the Herd, my project had been stood for many years the good folk on this forum helped me sort it, so as soon as you have any questions fire away.
Lou

[nhmaf]

Welcome aboard!

It is always great to hear that another R65 is going to be returned to the roadway, where is belongs!  Especially if it happens to be an R65LS!  It sounds like you're going to have the 'usual' resurrection activities in your future - just go slowly and methodically and post your questions here - most all of us have been there before!

Is yours red or silver?  Post pics when you can.

[Dave 2]

What a great find. I hope that you get some riding in before winter. I also have an 83 R65LS although mine is currently Ripped Torn and Wrinkled due to a fellow from my home state of Massachusetts who "failed to yield the right of way" I look forward to pictures of your bike and would be interested in what yours cost, if you don't mind sharing that. Good Luck. David

[montmil]

Welcome aboard, Brad. We inmates of the R65 Asylum and Spark Plug Tossing Club love viewing photos of other members scoots so when you get an opportunity, we'd enjoy seeing your brand new old bike.

Monte

[badbmwbrad]

Thanks for the welcome.  I'll attempt to post a photograph of my Polaris R65LS.  The only photos are on my computer as I don't have an online photo account.  

If the photo posts then it will be of the bike as it arrived in a trailer.  Polaris sidecovers, black mirrors and BMW panniers were removed for transport.  It has black crash bars and dual horns (option?) 

Welcome aboard, Brad. We inmates of the R65 Asylum and Spark Plug Tossing Club love viewing photos of other members scoots so when you get an opportunity, we'd enjoy seeing your brand new old bike.

Monte

[Justin B.]

Dang!  Other than the tank emblems and missing side covers it looks brand new.  [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]

Good find!  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[nhmaf]

Indeed- that looks like a great score!

I don't ride down through MA very much, but if you're hankering to ride up north aways, let me know

Mike in NH

[Ptech]

Great find Brad!  A quick question for you.  Are your side covers silver or black?  Also, if they are silver do they have "R65 LS" logos on them?
TIA
Pat

[suecanada]

I think Brad mentioned he had the side covers, put aside for safety when transporting the bike home, and they were polaris silver which is different from the usual black as I thought was the OEM on a new bike. No R65LS decal is placed on an LS's sidecover...at least I've never seen one there in all the brochures and articles I have read.
The dual horns are an addition too as I think only one little beeper  "a la the Roadrunner" is usual.
The black engine protection bars were an optional add-on but a great place for driving lights!! I even have a car-type volt meter mounted on mine. Lots of room there!! The usual triangle of light so oft spoken about usually refers to lights though that are added on the front forks or up front somewhere.
If you ever want to hook up a volt meter btw, there is a dedicated wired connector inside the front headlight shell OR under the front 1/4 fairing somewhere! The owner's manual lists it as #48 on the wiring diagram. Handy!

Just so nice to say hello to another LS rider and in the eastern part of the continent to boot!

[Ptech]

You're right, Sue.  When I reread the original post I realized he stated he had the Polar side covers.  My covers are silver as well with no logos.  I also have no logos on the fairing but his does.  I'm just curious how they did them originally and I'm beginning to think it depended on the day of the week or perhaps the phase of the moon.
Pat

[badbmwbrad]

I've been busy working to get this bike road-ready.  The fuel tank was removed, shaken/drained and the fuel filter was cleaned.  Neither had any appreciable debris accumulation.  Seafoam added to fuel (carbs & tank were fuel-empty as-found).

Front brake hydraulic fluid was replaced. New battery installed. The stiff-turning front fork was freed by spraying lithium grease into the upper and lower steering head roller bearings.

The engine started up with a growl.  This R65LS exhaust note is louder than my R75/5 with stock mufflers.  The small, narrow handlebars will take some getting used to.  I puttered around the neighborhood after dark to get a feel for the clutch and transmission.  Both components function more smoothly than the /5.  The R65 engine has less low-end torque but it pulls as hard as the /5 at higher RPM.

The fork makes a clunk if it's allowed to quickly extend.  I suspect no rebound dampening.  I still need to replace fork hydraulic fluid, replace original tires and see about greasing the wheel bearings.  

Do these wheels have permanently sealed bearings or can they be re-packed with grease?