Going to see/buy a R65.. What should I check?

[Adamastor]

Hi everyone... I am new on this forum and might be close to finally buy my first airhead, a mighty R65

I never had a "big" bike before, but have a lot of experience on old Vespas and Lambrettas (both riding and working on them) and also ride a small Suzuki 250cc.

I didn't find in this forum a good check list for buying of a used R65.. I will be testing one next week and would be pretty much grateful to know what to look for. The seller told me I can test ride it, he also told me she runs fine and to be really fine might need in a not too distant future of a new exhaust.

Some doubts:
1-Will this bike ride me home on a first (180 miles distance) trip?
2- If so, what tools should I bring with me for simples adjustments on the side of the road...
3- R65 engine is different from most all airheads, is it still easy to find/buy parts (new OEM or not) for these bikes?

Thanks in advance for the help, and greetings from sunny Portugal

[Lucky_Lou]

! .if the bike is in good running order it should get you home
2. the standard BMW toolkit has a plug spanner with buit in screwdriver (flat blade and phillips) 5mm(i think or 6)allen key for the generator /ignition cover(bean can)
with a few spanners 10/13/17 mm
What year is it!! i carry spare points and plugs and a few bulbs dont need much more.
3 .Parts are readily available from many suppliers but have your frame number at hand
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do?vin=6346898&part=&kind=M&series=K56&body=ohne&arch=0
real Oem will give diagrams and part numbers these uk suppliers ship to the Eu
http://www.motorworks.co.uk/bmw/products/product.php?f=f&code=BA_15_20_OA_30&shnew=New&shnewcode=15&cat=R45%2F50%2F60%2F65%2F75%2F80%2F90%2F100+%282+valve%29&model=R45%2F50%2F60%2F65%2F75%2F80%2F90%2F100+%282+valve%29&modelcode=20&partcode=OA
http://www.motobins.co.uk/
enjoy
Lou
ps welcome to the forum glad youve graduated from the lawn mowers!! if your taking the generator cover of to get to the bean can (points) you would be well advised to disconnect the battery earth terminal if you short the circuit board your in big trouble!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bob_Roller]

Welcome aboard, Adamastor, glad you found this site, pretty even tempered bunch here !!

A good general look at the bike, fluids leakage, puddles or oil stains on the pavement under the bike, is the engine, transmission, swing arm, final drive covered in grime, a good indication of some serious leakage .

Oil leakage on the fork seal area .

How much tread groove left before the wear bars show on the tires .

Check the steering head bearings for notchiness, standing in front of the bike, with the bike on the center stand, grab the front wheel, and see if there is any play, when you pull and push on the front wheel .

Smoothness of the throttle, 'choke', and clutch cables .

If you can have the seller remove the fuel tank, and have a look under there, is the ignition coil a gray and black model, if it is, it's in your best interest to replace it, as soon as you can, it's one item, that will leave you on the side of the road, especially in wet or damp weather .

Gear oil leaking from the final drive output seal, will leave a splattering of oil on the rear wheel area, and compromise the effectiveness of the the rear braking, and probably have you replacing the rear brake shoes as well .

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Welcome to the forum Adamastor.  Everything that Lou and Bob said is +1.  They know their business.  Do you have good walking shoes?  Just me, but I'd be a bit leery about riding 180 miles on an unproven steed.  R65's are generally very reliable bikes but if it has been sitting up for any length of time there is a lot that can go wrong on the ride home.  Carbs can be leaky, spark plugs might foul, tires might go flat.  You name it, it can happen.  More better to plan on putting it on a trailer or in the bed of a utey car to get it to the casa.

On the other hand, that's what adventure riding is all about.  I seldom go on a long distance road trip that something doesn't happen to test my vocabulary.  Pick up a copy of the Haynes and the Clymer manual, spend some time on this forum and before you know it you will be richly rewarded.  Good luck!  And send us some photos... [smiley=clap.gif]

[Adamastor]

This is a late series R65, but i am not sure of the year because it was imported and papers have the date from when she arrived to Portugal.

What is the spark plug spanner size? I will try to take it with me... what is the best plug (so I can buy two)?

Thanks for the tips... I am writting them down

Bengt, if all fails.. I will call the trailer (and wait for it on the side of the road).. hope she's fine and I buy it and arrive fine at home

Regards,

Sergio

[Adamastor]

Here is a photo:



Is this a /5 seat?
If it is a late series it could have electronic ignition, right?

Is this the "big" frame R65?

[Bob_Roller]

I don't know what series bike the seat is from, only thing I can tell, is that it is not an R65 seat .

This bike is a twin rear shock bike, not a monoshock, mono shock bikes could be considered a large frame bike, as it is the same frame of the larger displacement bikes .

If the bike was manufactured from 09/80 or later, it will have electronic ignition .

The bike has twin front discs, it may be an '81 model bike .

If you have the serial number, you can go to : http://www.realoem.com/bmw/ , put the last 7 characters of the serial number in the search box, you will get the month of manufacture .

[k_enn]

This is a late series R65, but i am not sure of the year because it was imported and papers have the date from when she arrived to Portugal.  <snip>

Before you seal the deal, just make sure that it is registerable in your state.  I can't say about motorcycles, but with cars if has been imported it usually needs to have an EPA certificate of compliance before it can be registered.  You may want to check your state DMV before you commit to the bike.

k_enn

[Adamastor]

Hmmm thanks bob, small frame + electronic ignition would be perfect for me.. (I'm short) lets hope I get lucky

Thanks once again..

[Adamastor]

This is a late series R65, but i am not sure of the year because it was imported and papers have the date from when she arrived to Portugal.  <snip>

Before you seal the deal, just make sure that it is registerable in your state.  I can't say about motorcycles, but with cars if has been imported it usually needs to have an EPA certificate of compliance before it can be registered.  You may want to check your state DMV before you commit to the bike.

k_enn

Thanks K_enn, it was imported but has already national papers so there is no problem with that..

Regards

[SCJJR65]

I don't know what series bike the seat is from, only thing I can tell, is that it is not an R65 seat .

Sure looks like a /5 seat to me!

[montmil]

...small frame...would be perfect for me. (I'm short)

The frame size on the R65 refers to it's wheelbase being shorter than other airheads, hence the sportier handling. Depending on your inseam length, you may need some shorter shocks. This seat height issue has been recently discussed here... somewhere.

Monte

[Adamastor]

On the internet I found this info:


Seat Height (Unladen) Up to 1980
      
770 mm (30.3 inches)

Seat Height (Unladen) 1981 On
      
810 mm (31.9 inches)

I already got the chance to seat on a R60/5 and could reach the ground, but on a R60/7 it was harder... Those frames are equal (31.9 I think), but /5 seats are narrower so easier to reach ground.

This R65 I'll be looking seems to have the narrower /5 seat (that's good, although not original), but if it is also the lower frame it could be perfect

[Bob_Roller]

From the picture, it has the appearance, that the bike has been taken care of, not an abused example of an R65 .

The foam in the seat can always be trimmed down if seat height is an issue .

[Bengt_Phorqs]

That sure looks like a /5 seat to me also.  The grab rail is just a little bit different than the /6.  That is a nice looking bike.  Whereabouts in Portugal are you?  I spent a little time in Spain about 10 years ago and really enjoyed it.  I would love to take a riding vacation in that part of the world.  Let us know how the ride home turns out.