Rat Bike?

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Here's a photo of the 1983 R65 I just picked up this past week.  Is this a rat bike right now?  You decide.  Mechanically everything is there and works.  Cosmetically, well, let's just say she needs a makeover.  Mostly some cleaning, and fresh paint.

As always in projects like this one must have a vision.  I must confess that what I really wanted to do was go to a pocket cafe racer after seeing Mr. Hawkins Ducati red bike.  Not that I could ever hope to achieve that level of style & grace.

Well, we shall see what develops.

[montmil]

Hey, Bengt...   What is it with '83s and seat covers? On the bright side, you've got side panels which are becoming rather difficult (read:expensive) to locate.

My '83 is currently a work-in-riding-progress project. I have a new proper black seat cover waiting on the bench. Presently reworking and repairing the side panels and the seat's tail piece. All in primer right now after many hours of component repair and some metal work. Plus way more hours of sanding than I wish to remember.

Your fuel tank appears to have the latest hot rod trend in paint, aka, satin. Some cats spend a ton of cash to achieve the vintage rat rod look; including fake rust patina.

Say... maybe I oughta leave the seat's tail piece "as is"? Nah. Notta chance.

Your red brake disc hub is muy caliente. I'll send you the Lucha Libre action figure that was zip tied to my '83 when I bought it!

Monte

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Now I'm not normally one to name my scooters but "Nacho Libre" does have some appeal.  You can't see it really well but the saddle is actually a gen-yoo-ine vinyl full quill ostrich.  And all of the black pieces are not satin, but rather a very rough krinkle paint.  But like you say, I do have both side panels.

hmmm, wonder if the alternator puts out enough light to power some blue undercarriage running lights?

[steve hawkins]

She is no Rat, man!  But you gotta lose that red saddle and brake disc carrier!  The poor bike just needs to guided back to the true path....Thanks for the compliments by the way.  In every R65 there is a cafe racer trying to get out!

Rat bikes are generally matt black and painted with a brush or sprayed (without masking) while the bike is still running - i.e. no prep!

It makes them undesirable and worth less and therefore should not be stolen by the local yobs.  From what I have seen the Rat bikes owners dress like their bikes as well!

As they say, Chrome wont bring you home!

[nhmaf]

Nope, still too tidy to be a rat bike, but she certainly could do with a bit of a makeover...

check out ratbike.org for some rat bike pics - sadly including some (once) nice older bimmers.

[montmil]

...You can't see it really well but the saddle is actually a gen-yoo-ine vinyl full quill ostrich...

Ah ha! Glad it's the Gen-Yoo-ine Vinyl stuff and not that fakey "reproduction" crud.

I do like the headlight shell brackets and the shiny muffs are primo.

Monte

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Well since the tree huggers declared the Nauga an endangered species the industry has had to go to vinyl.  Ever notice how hard it is to find naugahyde anymore?  Not sure where the P/O scored the headlight brackets but he said he bought the pipes from Boxer Bruce in Arlington.  They have a pretty nice tone, somewhat deeper than a BMW but not as mellow as my Guzzi.

Does anyone have any information on rebuilding shocks?  The right side is weeping a bit.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Stock shocks?  Pitch em!  For one, they are not rebuildable.  Two, they should have been replaced when the bike was new.
I do like the adjuster handles, though.

Do a search in the tech section for "shock".

The search has a few quirks.  It defaults to all of the sections, and it defaults to searching the last week.
In this case, you only need search the BMW tech sections, and make it for "all posts".

[Allred]

Nah...still a bit to nice to be a Rat Bike.  I would have probably bought it too, in order to take it home and "put it back in order".  But then I'm a traditionlist when it comes to style, and like 'em with the stock look.  I already have a black one, so.....maybe silver?

Here's a photo of mine "before".....still a detail or two before I'm ready to post photo of "after"

I currently rebuilding the front suspension, and replacing the old shocks.


Here's to rider friendly R65's      [smiley=beerchug.gif]

[MrRiden]

Bengt,
First impression is that it came from the Flat Black school of design, not to be confused with Rat culture. Sort of a Neo Rat. You did say tho that its more of a wrinkle finish. I do like Black on Black with perhaps a touch of red but the seat is too much for my own liking. Lets see what comes of it! Black on Black shocks can be had from a fellow named Dave Quinn. You'll find him at http://www.davequinnmotorcycles.com/  Keep us posted with pics, I do like what you've found there.
rich