R65 Question

[ddbass]

I just picked up the book How to Restore Your BMW Twin 1955-1985 by Mick Walker.  Lots of useful stuff.  I haven't read it cover to cover, but was intrigued by a caption on p. 34 under a picture of an R65: "A model to beware of ...R65 ... R45...have a number of weaknesses outlined within the pages of this book."  Guess I'll find those as I read, and ride, and wrench on, but what should I be looking for?

[airhead]

Guess I'll find those as I read, and ride, and wrench on, but what should I be looking for?

Another book??!!
No really, it's an excellent publication and it's been really useful in my 90/6 resto. I think what he may be alluding to is the R65's variations from all the other models. Certain things will only fit or interchange with other R65's, unlike the others where engine, clutch, suspension can all be freely swapped. As you own it longer you will find these things out. My '86 R65 Mono is fortunately mostly immune to this situation due to the shared frame, suspension and running gear with the 80/100's.
Another thing to watch out for is that due to them being the HP babies of the range, there is a tendency for them to be flogged. Also as they were the trendsetters for upgrades to other models, BMW may have used them as beta testers to iron out the bugs before putting them on the others IMO. It did have some mods that were weak links so to speak, early model gear selector springs comes to mind.
Just don't worry about it................and ride.

Bill....................;-)

[westfalian_alien]

Hi ddbass,
nothing more to add: "Just don't worry about it................and ride."
Some few days ago, my 50-hp R 65 spun her kilometre's counter:

Running since 1985 (one owner only). 100 per cent reliable either on everyday's routine (go-to-work-vehicle on summer), either on many great tours crossing Europe from Spain to Scotland, from France to Poland. License training vehicle for two - technically totally unexposed - teenage girls. Tour guide's own bike for many, many rideouts of the Dimbach "MC Runzelrocker", especially on crossing the Alpes in Austria. Always returning home on my own means - even with a broken throttle cable (the only severe problem within 100 000 km's). More probs with the cops than with the construction. The only small problem: starting hard at temperatures below - 15 Centrigrades.
I would use Your book, making a nice little bonfire right under the crankcase, to help it.
Drive safely
+++
westfalian alien

[nhmaf]

There may be weakness in the R65 model line, but it also has strengths that the other don't have,
depending on your perspective.   The 81-84 models had smaller, shorter frames, much like the
earlier /5 models, but with much better brakes, suspension, clutch, transmission, etc. and the short
stroke Nikasil engine built up revs quickly.    My 82 R65 idles smoother and vibrates less than my 88 R100RT
did.  On the interstate, it didn't have nearly as long legs as the R100, but I bet that I could ride the R65
on a twisty road alot faster...   I just wish that the R65 fit me (or I fit it !) better for longer rides.