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Author Topic: Hi and a few questions if I may  (Read 891 times)

Offline Ian T

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Hi and a few questions if I may
« on: January 06, 2024, 02:22:02 PM »
Hi everyone

Just joined and I must say it does look a brilliant site. I am from the UK and already have  K75s and a Ural 750 outfit, so I am not adverse to a little pain especially with the Ural.

I have decided on a R65 as my next bike, I once had an R80 many years back but only for a short while I just found it a little bit too big and ponderous, it was an RT model.

I am trying to work out the best years to look for and I am getting a little bit confused with differing information from the web, I’m sure you are not surprised at that.

My questions are if I may:

I need the double swinging arms as I am short and I believe that has the lower seat height. What was the last year these were produced please.

What was the first year electronic ignition was introduced please.

Much prefer Brembo to ATE, had ATE on the R80 such a pain to set up, probably me but didn’t like them.

I don’t really like the plastic air filter box, more the aluminium one. What year was the plastic box introduced please.

I suppose I am asking is it possible to have the shorter seat height, the aluminium air box, Brembo brakes and electronic ignition. Seems simple but boy do I loose my sanity when I try and get answers to line up against all four.

Thank you in anticipation and I am looking forward to many a happy year here on the forum.

Cheers

Ian

Offline Bob_Roller

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Re: Hi and a few questions if I may
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2024, 03:16:54 PM »
Welcome Ian !
Starting with a manufacture date of 09/80, for the ‘81 model year a lot of changes to the R65 were made .
Lightened flywheel and clutch carrier, crude electronic ignition system is has centrifugal flyweights for ignition advance , aftermarket upgraded systems are available.
Early ‘81’s had ATE twin front calipers, at least for the North American version bikes,after they ran out of ATE’s, Brembos were used .
The ATE calipers had chrome plated steel pistons and are prone to being rusted  aftermarket stainless pistons are available, if the calipers are reusable .
The OEM brake pads are very poor in wet conditions, superior aftermarket pads are available .
Charging system is not up to the task it’s been assigned, if you do a lot of city use .
Upgraded charging systems are available aftermarket  .
The air box is cast metal, with the air filter and plastic air horns.
The ‘81 model year had problems with excessive valve recession, the valve seats were of a new alloy and didn’t transfer heat from the valve to the cylinder head, but after 43 years I don’t know if this will be an issue anymore, unless you get a real low use bike .
I’m currently riding an ‘82LS after my oil head quit last July, it’s my daily rider to work, I live in Phoenix and ride all year long .
After you get the issues you’re going to find with a vehicle that’s over 40 years old, it’s a dependable bike .
« Last Edit: January 06, 2024, 03:31:27 PM by Bob_Roller »
'81 R65
'82 R65 LS
'84 R65 LS
'87 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario
'02 R1150R
Riding all year long since 1993 .
I'll give up my R65, when they pry my cold dead hands from the handlebars !!!!!

Offline Ian T

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Re: Hi and a few questions if I may
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2024, 10:52:31 PM »
Hi and thank you so much for such an in depth reply, the mists are starting to clear, it was very kind of you.


It’s funny I went to a classic bike show yesterday in the soggy wastelands of Lincolnshire and not an R65 to be seen, I didn’t realise they were only made for such a short while.

Cheers

Ian

Offline Bob_Roller

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Re: Hi and a few questions if I may
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2024, 01:51:40 PM »
Remembered a few other issues .
Starting with the manufacture date of 09/80, BMW went to a single dual output ignition coil, it's black and gray and as the nickname crack-o-matic coil .
They develop cracks in the case and quite often will start having issues in wet conditions .
The second generation OEM coil, is red and black, mine failed in 10 years of use .
There are aftermarket coils available, DYNA brown coil is one, don't know what's available in your area .
The speedometer drive cable where it attaches to the transmission has a rubber boot over the area and when it gets old and loses it's grip on the cable, water gets into the transmission .
The rear brake cam that moves the brake shoes, has two o-rings on it, when the o-rings get old gear lube from the final drive gets into the brake area and contaminates the brake shoes .
'81 R65
'82 R65 LS
'84 R65 LS
'87 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario
'02 R1150R
Riding all year long since 1993 .
I'll give up my R65, when they pry my cold dead hands from the handlebars !!!!!

Offline Ian T

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Re: Hi and a few questions if I may
« Reply #4 on: January 10, 2024, 01:12:10 AM »
Thanks Bob

That’s great stuff and so helpful.

Due to the rarity as compared to R80’s and 100’s that seem about in abundance, I am going to get which ever one comes along.

If it is the later one with the higher seat then I will have to approach it differently as I always have to do by altering the seat or perhaps lowering it.

I would prefer not to but short leg needs must.

Cheers

Ian

Offline mpe

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Re: Hi and a few questions if I may
« Reply #5 on: January 14, 2024, 01:02:50 PM »
I have a '79 R65 and the biggest gripe I have with these is the seat height. They have very high seats, nearly 32", don't know what BMW was thinking when they designed these. Comfort over function.They are fine for 6' and over riders I suppose. I'm 5'10" and couldn't plant my feet when stopped with the stock seat. Tippy toes! I made a lower seat but at the expense of padding and comfort, took out 2"+ of foam. Maybe shorter shocks or a rear sub-frame modification would help. In stock configuration these were not designed to accommodate shorter riders. I don't know if the later model seats were lower but a '79 has a very high seat.
If you can't fix it with a hammer it's an electrical problem.

Offline Barry

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Re: Hi and a few questions if I may
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2024, 08:05:54 AM »
mpe,

That's the first time I've heard of an R65 being described as too High. I'm 5'10" and find my 79 too low unless I pre-load the rear shocks to the middle setting.  I wonder if your bike has longer aftermarket shocks.  One thing to be aware of is R65 shocks are shorter than the other mainstream airheads and perhaps the wrong ones have been fitted.


Ian,

In the end it might be best to find one to sit on. I'm too far away otherwise you would be more than welcome to try mine. I can't think off hand of any R65.org member down your way but you can't be  million miles form Motobins which is one place where an R65 might turn up occasionally.  If you want the all alloy airbox that takes the round air filter then it's the early 78-80 models that have that as well as a published lower seat height.


Bob,

Didn't we have a map at one time showing members locations ?  I couldn't find it but might not have looked in the right place.




« Last Edit: January 19, 2024, 08:07:38 AM by Barry »
Barry Cheshire, England 79 R45

Offline Bob_Roller

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Re: Hi and a few questions if I may
« Reply #7 on: January 19, 2024, 02:23:55 PM »
Yes there is a member map in Chit Chat in the tan shaded area . No idea how current or accurate it is .
'81 R65
'82 R65 LS
'84 R65 LS
'87 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario
'02 R1150R
Riding all year long since 1993 .
I'll give up my R65, when they pry my cold dead hands from the handlebars !!!!!

Offline Justin B.

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Re: Hi and a few questions if I may
« Reply #8 on: January 20, 2024, 10:54:50 PM »
Bob, didn't Rob maintain that?  If so it probably hasn't been updated since he left us.
Justin B.

2004 BMW R1150RT
1981 R100RT - Summer bike, NEKKID!!!

Offline Bob_Roller

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Re: Hi and a few questions if I may
« Reply #9 on: January 21, 2024, 10:09:11 AM »
Yes, I can't do anything with the map. I can see my location but no others.
« Last Edit: January 21, 2024, 10:29:14 AM by Bob_Roller »
'81 R65
'82 R65 LS
'84 R65 LS
'87 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario
'02 R1150R
Riding all year long since 1993 .
I'll give up my R65, when they pry my cold dead hands from the handlebars !!!!!

Offline mpe

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Re: Hi and a few questions if I may
« Reply #10 on: February 17, 2024, 10:29:55 PM »
mpe,

That's the first time I've heard of an R65 being described as too High. I'm 5'10" and find my 79 too low unless I pre-load the rear shocks to the middle setting.  I wonder if your bike has longer aftermarket shocks.  One thing to be aware of is R65 shocks are shorter than the other mainstream airheads and perhaps the wrong ones have been fitted.


Ian,

In the end it might be best to find one to sit on. I'm too far away otherwise you would be more than welcome to try mine. I can't think off hand of any R65.org member down your way but you can't be  million miles form Motobins which is one place where an R65 might turn up occasionally.  If you want the all alloy airbox that takes the round air filter then it's the early 78-80 models that have that as well as a published lower seat height.


Bob,

Didn't we have a map at one time showing members locations ?  I couldn't find it but might not have looked in the right place.

Could be that these are not stock shocks, I don't know the history of the bike. Specs list seat height as 32" which is on the high side, at least for me, but something I need to do is adjust the shocks down to the lowest setting, maybe they are at the high setting. Project for tomorrow, something I've meant to do but haven't gotten to. I bought some old panniers (saddle bags to us Americans) that were on a Honda GL500 Interstate. Spent two weeks making them fit, painting...definitely not a bolt up installation.
If you can't fix it with a hammer it's an electrical problem.