New 1979 R65 Project - likely over my head!!

[al_ferguson01]

Hi All,
I’m new to the forum and was glad to see this Restoration section!  I hope you all don’t mind me starting this thread on a 1979 R65 I just picked up!
I’m in Phoenix, AZ and saw a FB post for this ’79 for $1k located in Tucson, AZ – it was last plated in 2003 and looked like it hadn’t moved since. I’ve been wanting to do my own “will it run?” project for some time and this bike seemed to be a reasonable bike to try on. I’ll say I’m “pretty handy” but I’m NO mechanic! I’m sure I’ll be reaching out a lot asking for help, tips and guidance.
Overall, I’m not sure what I want to do with this bike. I started to think maybe just see if I can get it running then let someone else take it… At least the next owner would know it runs and it (now) has a title. I’ve only been working on it for 2 days but already I think I’m going to go further with it myself.
So, here is what I’ve done so far – I’m trying to spend the least amount of money on it until I know if the engine will run. To that end:
•   I’ve stripped the bike down to the basics (picture)
•   Decreased everything really well
•   Pulled the tank and emptied it of the old gas
•   Pulled the petcock (interesting there is only one petcock – my other BMWs all have 2). I plan to soak the tank with vinegar to clean it out. It had some rust but was not terrible
•   Pulled to float bowls and cleaned them. Again, they weren’t that bad. I do plan to rebuild the carbs once I have the bike running
•   I dumped the engine oil and put in 2 fresh quarts I had sitting around (15w50). I didn’t change the filter (once I get it running I’ll warm it up properly and change the oil again with a filter).
I noticed both the 8amp fuses are blown – I don’t know if it will run with those blown (I’ll get replacements). I also ordered a “remote” gasoline bottle so in the next few days I plan to hook the fuel bottle up to the existing old fuel lines and see if I can get it to run. BTW – it has a really odd battery in it that WILL turn the engine over so that’s a plus. All I’m hoping to do next is get it to fire. It would be really awesome if I could get it to run long enough to do a proper oil change and then a compression test. If all that goes off well, I see doing the following next:
•   New battery
•   New plugs and likely points
•   Carb rebuild
•   Valve adjustment
•   All oils refreshed
•   Rebuild front master cylinder and front brake caliper which is totally inoperable.
After that, I’ll decide if is something I want to keep and continue working on OR if it will be time to pass it on to the next owner.
Wish me luck and thanks in advance for any pointers!
Al
10.5.23

[al_ferguson01]

Finished for today - just got it stripped down and cleaned what I could...

[al_ferguson01]

10/7/23:  Ok, I got it started today. After cleaning things up, I attached a fuel bottle to the old gas lines which leaked like crazy but apparently enough gas got in to fill the bowls - gave a few pumps and a bit of choke (it's about 100 here in Phoenix today so not much choke), put the switch in run and stabbed the starter button - after only a few coughs, she fired right up and settled into a nice idle pretty quickly. I didn't run it too long but did shut it down and restart it a few times. No smoke out the back either which surprised me a bit. The valves are pretty tappy (I know, tappy valves are happy valves) so I'll check into that soon.

BTW, I haven't previously mentioned but it has just under 31k (miles) on the ODO... if it's had any kind of regular maintenance in its past life, that should be a relatively low milage drivetrain.

The next steps are what I would call a major service - all fluids, filters, re-Torq heads, set valves, points. plugs, timing. I tried loosening the exhaust thread nuts - got one (R) but the other (L) is really jammed on. I'll need to work on that. After that, I'll focus on getting it rideable - fork rebuild, brakes and tires, I'm thinking scrambler-ish right now which in my mind is very minor tire/suspension mods as well as a solo seat, rack and soft bags. If anyone has ideas about a solo seat/rack combo. I'm open to hearing them!

I tried posting a 15 sec. 1st start video but this forum has a cap on file size. Oh well.  Enjoy, Al

[dogshome]

From the looks and now you know it's a runner, I think you have a bit of a bargain there! 

[al_ferguson01]

10/10/23: Since the bike starts and seems to run pretty well, I’ve been ordering parts for it – side panels, tune-up parts, grommets, battery, a set of tires (Metzler Block C tires front and back – I welcome any feedback on these tires – I really wanted to go more dual sport but it’s a PITA finding the right set for these bikes – Block C seemed a good compromise), and various other sundry bits and pieces.  I had a broken fender tab on the rear sub-frame so while the parts are on order I took the frame off and had the tab welded back on (the tab was still bolted to the rear fender, fortunately). I treated the sub-frame to super good cleaning and repainted it along with the battery tray and parts of the swing arm where battery acid and dripped on the paint. The paint hasn’t yet cured so will reassemble all that in a day or two. That’s about it until the parts come in. I am also researching a solo seat for it. Being a 1979 it might prove to be a challenge and may have to do some (more) fabrication to the sub-frame. I’ve read here that the one the fits /6 and /7s will work – anyone have 1st-hand experience with this (on a 1979 which is different than ’81 and newer). I sent an email to Meyers Bikes (https://www.meyer-bikes.de/) who is referenced on this and other forums frequently – I asked if they  could confirm fitment – I suspect the news will be negative (not a direct fitment) even if others (here) have successfully installed one. Anyway – looking for any 1st-hand experience on the subject.

[Bob_Roller]

We have (had) a member here Rob Valdez  79 R65, does not look like he has been here in some time, 09/2020 .
If I recall correctly, he installed a solo seat and luggage rack on his '79 R65, I think he got both of them from S Meyers in Germany eBAY seller .
He has an email address if you look up his username here on the members list, no guarantee he will respond .
I'm located in the southwest corner of Tempe about a mile east of the Tempe Autoplex, I have a few specialty tools if you need .

[al_ferguson01]

Thanks, I will follow-up on this lead.

I did get a response from Meyer: Good Morning - this is to inform you that it does NOT fit.  Sizes of tanks are different to front section of seat.

I also have emailed Siebenrock with the same question about fitment for their /5, /6 and /7 solo seats for a 1979 R65 fitment. As I read about the history of the R65, I'm starting to think the /5 would be the better option as I've read the R65 essentially was the same as the SWB /5 until 1984 (see wikipedia) when it went to the R80 frame

[al_ferguson01]

10/25/23:
Hi All,
I'm doing a little travel right now so haven't turned a lot of wrenches but here is where I am:
I've had the subframe fender tab welded back on (one tab had snapped off), cleaned and painted the subframe and did the same to the battery box and some areas on the swing arm area that had a bit of battery acid drip common to these old BMWs. I disassembled the rear shocks just to clean them up - I didn't do anything to them but clean them. I've reassembled the rear section. The bike was missing the rear brake light and turn signal assemblies. I got those off someone on FB marketplace. The wires to those assemblies had been just cut mid-fender. Fortunately the new used assemblies came with the wire and plug (to the fuse box).  I've mounted the new gel battery but not made anything hot yet. I've used rubbing compound to rub out the paint as best as I could but it's still pretty rough (don't really care too much about that - I rather like the "patina").
I ordered, received and test fit the new "Police" solo seat (Siebenrock part number 5299833). I also ordered the Flatracer rear rack to cover the tail section left exposed by the solo seat. I've also sourced a set of pannier racks (rear rack and pannier racks are shipping from the U.K.). I don't intend to run hard bags rather a set of soft panniers. For this reason, I'm planning to "fill in" the center openings of the pannier rack with a stiff plastic panel to keep the soft panniers out of the rear wheel - just standoffs for the soft luggage really.
I also took the first pass at the front master cylinder / brake. Really, all I did was put some Dot 4 in it and bleed it - it started working fine but I'm going to dig into and likely rebuild the master cylinder, caliber and r/r the pads. I'll figure out what the rear brake needs when I pull the rear wheel - I'm guessing some shoes at the least.
Speaking of wheels, I ordered a set of Metzler Block C tires & tubes and will get those mounted as soon as get back on this project. I also need to drain the dif, shaft and trans for fresh gear oil.
After that, maybe connect the battery and see what the electrical system might need (flashers, relays, lights, etc.). I still will want to pull the front fork lowers at the least to freshen the oil and seals... I'm sure I'll find more stuff to tend to.

[dogshome]

 

Lets go! Vroom Vroom! 

[al_ferguson01]

11/10/23
Hi All,
Another update - I'm still doing a fair amount of travel so just sneaking into the garage as a can for an hour here and an hour there. 
I had the Block C tires mounted - a great local (Phoenix) place I found is 8 Ball Tires - they are motorcycle only and 5 minutes from the house - super-friendly folks too. While the rear tire was off, I cleaned, inspected and adjusted the rear brakes - the shoes looked serviceable so left them  on.
The gearbox, bevel (diff) gear and drive shaft oils were all drained and replaced with fresh gear oil.
I've pulled the fork sliders and am prepping them for fresh seals, boots and oil. The '79 didn't come with boots but I like the look of them so they are going on - I ordered the /6  11-fold boots for this one as I read those are the correct boots for these forks. The new seals and washers are on order (EME). I plan to use 7.5 weight oil (5w was stock). I don't plan to replace the springs.
Last time I worked on the bike I added brake fluid to the reservoir, pumped up the front brake and crossed my fingers. Well, that didn't work out so well for me (sitting for 20 years - I'm not too surprised). I have a steady drip from under the brake lever (the master cylinder) so I've taken the front brake system off from the handlebar to the caliper. I ordered the two rubber lines (the new ones will be braided stainless), a couple replacement grommets and a 13mm master cylinder rebuild kit. I haven't done one of these before so hope I don't jack it up going back together. My plan is to get that far and then see if the caliper needs rebuilt to - I can say the pads don't look bad.
I think I updated that the Siebenrock solo seat is in and test fitted - it's pretty awesome. Same for the Flatracer rear rack (super-nice quality - it covers the fender where the solo seat doesn't) and I was able to source the pannier racks. All the parts together look pretty good.
I'm looking for a new "hood" - the "dash" looking thing  around the speedo / gauges but haven't found one yet - if anyone has one they want to sell or knows a source...
Thanks all.  Al

[dogshome]