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Author Topic: r65ls what to check when buying  (Read 1294 times)

cobra407

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r65ls what to check when buying
« on: January 31, 2010, 08:03:34 AM »
Hi, this my first posting. I bought a new r65ls in 1983 and sold it a couple years later to get married... buy my first house (you have heard this one before!). We 20+ years later still wish I would have never sold it. I have found another one close to where I live for 2500.00 and I am going to check it out. It has around 30K miles. what should I be checking for? i have been told the following:
front brakes squeek
little oil leak oil from the rear end breather (needs new seal?)
false neutral sometimes between gears

Suggestions what else I need to check for?

thanks peter



Offline Lucky_Lou

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Re: r65ls what to check when buying
« Reply #1 on: January 31, 2010, 08:38:44 AM »
Hi Peter welcome to the forum.....firstly  30k miles isn't alot on an old bike is it correct ?/ check the seat for wear is it the original? check the foot pegs are they worn? if so the mileage probably isnt correct.
Run the engine does it start ok? does it sound ok at tick over 1100rpmish and at mid range 3500rpm The "false neutral"would concern me only thing to do is test ride and see how the gearbox feels youve not said what year it is but 2500 sound like top dollar so with the faults you mention i would arm wrestle em down to as near to 2k as possible.
Best of luck....Lou
« Last Edit: January 31, 2010, 08:40:12 AM by Lucky_Lou »
Ask questions later

Offline Bob_Roller

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Re: r65ls what to check when buying
« Reply #2 on: January 31, 2010, 08:42:56 AM »
First, does the odometer work ?

Good chance it isn't, as this one of the problems with these bikes, if it doesn't work, use the unknown mileage as a bargaining factor .

Obviously, tire condition, check for date of manufacture on the side wall, it should be a 4 digit number, like 4608, which would mean the tire was manufactured in the 46th week of 2008, just because a tire looks new, doesn't mean it isn't old, and old tires are not your friend .

If it has rubber brake lines, good chance they are original, and should be replaced .

Fork seals for leaks .

With the bike on the center stand, grab the front wheel and try to move it front to back, checking for loose steering head bearings .

Check for oil leaks on the engine, with it running .

Check throttle and 'choke' controls for smooth movement .

Transmission neutral switch for fluid leakage .

Check the rubber boots on the transmission for leakage .

Check battery for condition, if it's a serviceable type, check for fluid level, corrosion .

If the shock absorbers have an adjustment lever on them, they are probably original, and should be replaced .

Final drive leakage, you mentioned fluid coming out of the breather, it could be over serviced, a common source of leakage here, is the brake cam shaft o-rings, if they are leaking, there should be oil seeping out between the wheel rim, and final drive housing, and if it is, a good chance the rear brake shoes are oil contaminated .

Check the control switches on the handle bars, the turn directional and headlight switches seem to be the ones that fail, check them for positive detents when moved, if they feel 'limp' they probably are close to needing replacement .


The fuel filler cap, if it's been over tightened, it can start spinning when turned, and not come loose .

Check the interior of the fuel tank, for rust, and condition of the liner .
 
False neutrals, can be a shifting linkage issue, or operator technique .

« Last Edit: January 31, 2010, 08:48:59 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 !!!!!

GrimReaper

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Re: r65ls what to check when buying
« Reply #3 on: January 31, 2010, 09:51:34 AM »
Good one Bob.
Also ask for service history.Mine came with it from day one

Offline montmil

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Re: r65ls what to check when buying
« Reply #4 on: January 31, 2010, 10:50:08 AM »
Bob mentioned checking front wheel movement that might indicate head stock bearing wear.

Another technique is to permit the front wheel to "fall off" to either side. If the forks bang hard against the stops, it could indicate the need to tighten up the bearings. If it does not fall away with the slightest nudge, the bearings may have been over-tightened in an effort to avoid replacing them.
   Also, with you sitting on the bike off the stands, slowly turn the handlebars and listen/feel for a "crickety" sound. Anything like that indicates shot steering bearings. These are owner-replaceable but may be difficult without proper tools.

Check the front rotor discs. If there are wavy grooves worn in the discs, it may indicate more mileage than stated. Shallow grooves may not be a deal breaker but keep in mind front rotors are not cheap.

The rear wheel bearings are often favorite targets of high-pressure car wash guns fired by unknowledgeable owners. Get the rear wheel off the ground. Grab the tire at top & bottom and attempt to rock the wheel side-to-side. Try it gripping the tire in a horizontal grip, too. Water plays havoc with the tapered roller bearings. Again, it's an owner-doable replacement but inquire here before jumping in.

$2500 is an appropriate price for an absolutely perfect condition R65 or R65LS. Negotiation time...  Make a list when you go see the bike. The owner will become anxious as you take notes. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Where are you located? What year R65LS? Details are helpful.

Monte
Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet

cobra407

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Re: r65ls what to check when buying
« Reply #5 on: January 31, 2010, 09:47:36 PM »
im in dayton ohio. the r65ls is a 1982

Offline nhmaf

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Re: r65ls what to check when buying
« Reply #6 on: February 03, 2010, 11:35:48 PM »
Any pics available from the owner, or will he let you take pics of the bike?
Also  see if the inside fairing black plastic covers (these fit around the top of the fork tubes) are there on both side - they aren't critical, but if present it helps to indicate that the bike is in "complete" condition.
Along with the suggestions above - I'd check the rear wheel rotation for worn rear drive splines - kudos to the owner if he offers to pull the wheel off for you to visually check them and the rear brake shoes.

I'd also add starting the bike up and observing that it
1) Needs the choke to start if the temp is under 70F
2) once warmed up for a minute or so, can be taken off choke and idle smoothly
3) responds well to throttle
4) Make sure none of the "bad" lights stay on (OIL light should go out immediately upon startup, GEN light anytime the revs go over ~1500 RPm or so)  Brake light shouldn't stay on - if it does you've got a bad connection/bulb.   Check the usual hi/lo beams, turn signals and horn.
Airhead #12178 ? BMWMOA #123173 ?BMWRA #33525 ?GSBMWR #563 ?1982 BMW R65LS ?1978 BMW R100/7 1998 Kawasaki Concours

cobra407

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Re: r65ls what to check when buying
« Reply #7 on: February 04, 2010, 06:23:02 PM »
thanks everyone.
this week i rode 2 r65ls's.

first one had lots of miles and had a couple oil leaks and a gas leak. rode nice but too rough condition.

second one i bought. 8700 miles. runs great! its not mint, but a little touch up paint and cleaning will go a long way. there are a couple minor dents on the gas tank. the front cowl and rear have been repainted and they could have done a better job. from 5 feet away it looks really good. mechanically it seems perfect. now were getting 6-8 in snow!

cobra407

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Re: r65ls what to check when buying
« Reply #8 on: February 04, 2010, 06:24:46 PM »
« Last Edit: February 04, 2010, 06:25:10 PM by cobra407 »

Offline nhmaf

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Re: r65ls what to check when buying
« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2010, 07:22:24 PM »
That whole bike has been repainted, but it looks like someone cared for/loved it, which is a good sign, plus the recent tuneup, etc.   Overall I'd say that you definitely made a pretty good deal if she was $2500, or even slightly more.

Enjoy! [smiley=clap.gif]
Airhead #12178 ? BMWMOA #123173 ?BMWRA #33525 ?GSBMWR #563 ?1982 BMW R65LS ?1978 BMW R100/7 1998 Kawasaki Concours