old bike new owner 81 R65RS

[tagordon]

Got it home tonight after work.
When finalizing the deal PO discovered he did not have key for tank cap, fork lock & seat. Ignition switch key only. Since he had previously told me that all locks were same & he saw I was very disappointed. He gave me back $100.00. He also gave me a box with assorted goodies. The original fairing that all the paint has peeled off, oil filter & Oring, right side mirror that has lost its left handed nut.
spare fuel filters, nuts & bolts for fairing & black tank cover with roundels.
I also discovered that there is a air pump under seat. No roundel on rear fender.
Rode 5 miles home. did not idle well. Stuck @ 2-3000 rpm when @ stop.
Some smoke coming from right valve cover. That reminds me there are two
cover gaskets in the box of stuff.
Tomorrow after work will start the detailed inspection & svc/maint.
BTW - can post be edited after posting?
Thanks for the welcome I recieved following my manditory first post.
Thanks for the advise/recommendations offered.
Thanks for having this great resource available for newbeemers like me.
Oh & BTW Thanks in advance for the polite way in which I know my ignorant inquiries will be responded to.
In closing I just want to say - Thanks.

Troy

[tagordon]

Do not pay any attention to the spots on the ground.
I did that with WD40 cleaning gunk off before taking pic.

Troy

[nothing]

Hi there! I'm in SLC, too. I saw that bike on Craigslist, almost posted it here yesterday, but it was already gone. Good to see who it went to.

Unless the rear cowl and exhaust were replaced, I don't think that is an LS. There is no such thing as a R65RS. I'm a newb myself, so I certainly could be wrong (but I don't think so).

I'm currently working on getting my R65 (former basketcase frankenbeemer with a 74 R90/6 frame, but mostly 81 R65) road worthy. I bought it last spring and have had to do way more work to it than I expected. I've installed a new rear main seal (the bike didn't have one! Damnedest thing I ever saw), lubed the splines at the same time, installed a HeliCoil in a crankcase stud hole, replaced the carb floats and needle valves, installed neoprene float bowl gaskets, flushed the tank, adjusted valves, replaced the ignition switch, replaced the throttle cables, replaced all fuel lines, replaced the battery, replaced and rewired the oil pressure switch, rigged up a rear brake light switch and wiring (the bracket is missing from the frame so I had to be creative), bled the front brakes (they still need work, the master cylinder leaks and the discs are grabby), rebuilt the petcock, bought and installed the absent crossover tubes (I have now removed and installed the exhaust 4 times), replaced and liberally anti-seized the exhaust finned nuts, bought and painted some side covers, replaced the crankcase breather, replaced many bulbs, and many other things I just can't remember now - not in that order. How's that for a long sentence?

After 3 trips to the DMV, being told something different each time, I finally got it registered just today (never buy anything without getting a title!) I should have gotten this all done last summer, but I got busy with several 60+ hour per week gigs in a row right after I bought it and never had the time. Finally I'm on the road!  

Someday I'll start my own thread about my bike and probably copy and paste much of this post, but that will be another day.

The best sites for information are this one, the Boxerworks forum, Snowbum's site, and Duane Ausherman's site. I use Max BMW's fiche for all my part number needs, and occasionally order parts from them. Visit Motorcycle Repair & Rendezvous in Midvale and chat with the boys there, they can get you all the parts you need in under two days and their prices are very reasonable (take your part numbers with you that you got from Max's fiche, it makes things go smoother). I'm not a fan of Accolade (formerly BMW of Salt Lake). Never order from Chicago BMW, the slight discount isn't worth the wait, you won't get your parts for months.

I'll be glad to lend you any tools you need.

Let's go for a ride!

[thrang]

Looks like you're well on your way.
So long as you've a bit of common sense and a half decent set of tools you'll love working on the R65... well so long as the PO's haven't done something really stupid.

[drewboid]

Great machine.  As to the locks - a good locksmith can pick the fork lock to remove it (the seat lock can be removed with a screwdriver) and re-key them both to match your ignition key for a lot less than the $100 you got back.  (at least the seat and fork locks, gas cap may be more difficult)  I have one key that fits all three of my machines and they are 18 years apart.  BTW - a volvo key will fit with a little filing if your locksmith has trouble matching the blank.  

First set the timing then service the carbs and rebalance them - the $5.00 carb balancer (6' of plastic tube with ATF as a liquid) works fine.  That should help with the idle problem.  

Read up about the $2,000 O ring before changing the oil filter.  Depending upon your year - the filter goes in first then the metal ring (shim) with the rough edges facing toward the bike then the white O ring and finally the cover without the gasket!  

the right hand mirror has a right hand thread!  Left mirror may have a left thread but that was usually when the perch was threaded.  My R65 has a through hole for both mirrors and both mirrors have right hand threads.  YMMV

Lastly - join one of the vintage groups like the Airheads or Vintage BMW Motorcycle owners - there are some great and very knowledgable people out there.