One of those "is it worth it?" threads

[Ned]

Saw an ad on CL for a 1982 R65. Asking price is $2,000.

Emailed the owner and was told has about 56k miles on it. Says brake fluid resorvoir leaks a bit - which does not seem like a major concern even to mechanically challenged me - but also mentions gas tank has rust "but is very solid".

Have not seen the motorcycle in person.

Is tank repair difficult and/or expensive? Would that put you off buying the bike?

Would appreciate any advice.

Thank you.

Ned

[Bob_Roller]

The brake fluid leak is probably a corroded master cylinder bore and a bad cup seal on the master cylinder piston .

A new master cylinder assembly is around $250-275, if it can't be salvaged

As long as the rust hasn't gone all the way through the metal, it's repairable .

It's a bit of a drawn out process, but not technically challenging .

[montmil]

...but also mentions gas tank has rust "but is very solid" ...Is tank repair difficult and/or expensive? Ned

The R65 tank has a welded seam along a bottom flange on both sides. Condensation can collect in this low area and will not pass through the fuel tap. It just sits there unless the owner drains and flushes the fuel tank maybe once a year.

If the prior owners have been rather casual about preventative maintenance, rust will eat up the seam area and begin to show up on the exterior as small bumps in the paint. Not good. Rust has eaten through the metal and the paint is all that's keeping fuel in the tank. This tank is likely a goner.

Tank repair can be very expensive and there's no guarantee that rust won't show up in another location. Good, used tanks are available through various sources. A paint job will likely be required in either case.

The 2K price is about normal for a fairly solid R65 of 1982 vintage. Cash talks. I'd also look at rear wheel bearings, steering head bearings, carb condition, tires... It's really easy to have to pony up another $1000 in parts. We like to do stuff ourselves; being airheads and all.

Monte

[Ned]

Thank you for the information. Very useful.

Ned

[soc7260]

Hi,

My first proper post so please excuse me if it is more long winded than is customary.

I got my 81 R65 for about $1100 but it was in pretty poor shape. Regarding the master cylinder, mine leaked like an alcoholic with a prostrate problem when I got it first, the master cylinder repair kit from motor works sorted it out no problem. About $50 I should think. Check the underside of the cylinder to get the diameter to purchase the correct kit. If that doesn’t work I’d try and source a second hand cylinder from a write off.

My tanks was similarly rusty, what I did was put a about 2 cups of very small diameter ball bearings in it, l sealed it up and then put it on a rotating lathe for about 4 -5 hours at fairly low RPM. Then pour out the ball bearings and rinse with petrol. Allow to dry. I then used petseal to seal the tank and have had no problems with it at all since.  It is a good idea to change all the fuel lines and put a new karcoma tap in there while you are at it, old fuel lines disintegrate after a long enough period. I also use an inline fuel filter from moto-bins to keep the crud out. Alternatively a second hand tank can be found easily enough on e-bay.

Is it worth it? Well I would go back to the guy and say that anyone who buys the bike is going to have to spend at least a few hundred bucks to make it a practical ride.
Consider the forks, shocks etc. (mine was like riding a farm gate when I got her) and I would definitely take a good look at the electrics before I parted with any cash though, they were a nightmare on mine and expensive to sort out. Bear in mind that a bike that has been laid up for a very long time will quite probably need a number of seals replacing also.
See if he will reflect these potential costs in the price.

Good luck,

Simon