Brakes and Forks

[benlawlor85]

Hello again.

1st:-
after (just) passing MOT the other day i was out riding around last night and thought damn this front end is stuff... every pot hole i could feel.
Found out that the forks were sticking. after some WD-40 sprayed around the seals it loosened up. I am going to replace the oil this evening as im sure it hasn't been done for ages. Should new springs ect be on my to do list? a friend said that they are probably ruined because they would not have been in any oil while the bike was laid up.

2nd:-
The bike initially failed because the 2nd caliper (LH) was rubbing the wheel spokes(cast wheel but im assuming they are still called spokes) so i shifted the whole wheel over a little. there is very little clearance on either side though. And the other unusual thing is that the bike has two s/s braided hoses from the master cylinder one to each caliper. Im planning on stripping down the calipers at the weekend as the pads are still rubbing the discs.
My question is should i just ditch the 2nd disc and caliper and have the bike with the stock single caliper or is it worth spending the time to get it set up right?

Loads more little problems i'm having like the ignition switch connector so badly corroded i didn't have much choice other than cut it off! but ill get a standard waterproof connector to replace it.

On the plus side she sounds great and is running pretty good. and is starting with no choke at all! :-)

sorry for the long post.

Ben

[Bob_Roller]

Your front forks are probably in need of a complete dis-assembly and cleaning plus all of the rubber parts in need of replacement .

If the bike hasn't accumulated a lot of usage, the springs should be in good shape .

The usual brake line set-up for a twin disc, is a single line coming out of the master cylinder, then it goes to a splitter behind the headlight, then an individual line to each caliper .

The left caliper and rotor are the standard, the right ones are the additional parts .

Normally the left caliper is bolted directly to the lower fork leg .

The right caliper has flanged bushings between the caliper and the fork leg, to get it centered over the rotor .

[benlawlor85]

Hi Bob,
i am going to look into it more tonight and tomorrow, but the front brake set-up is defiantly not standard, or the usual dual disc conversion. My main problem now is that since my R1100GS is off the road the R65 has to get me to and from work. so cant do anything too major.

I will make a list of the parts needed for the forks and then check back with you guys.

Thanks for the help

Ben

[benlawlor85]

I took the calipers off the bike yesterday and i have two 48 mm Calipers on the bike. I am yet to check the master cylinder to see what size this is but im assuming it wouldn't have been upgraded.

Also there are no shims etc on either caliper for spacing but if there were it would just make them even closer to the wheel.

Still not sure what to do.? Do i revert back to a single caliper?
Any help advice etc would be great.

Cheers
Ben

[benlawlor85]

just checked and i have a 16mm master cylinder! which is obv not standard. anyway have parts coming to change her back to single 48mm calliper. though not a 13/14mm master cylinder.
I can always overhaul the other calliper in due course and have twin callipers if needed...

any ideas on what braking will be like?

i have been so used to the tele-lever front end and great brakes and ABS on my 1100GS

[wilcom]

change her back to single 48mm calliper. though not a 13/14mm master cylinder.

You might want to check on that. I installed my 16mm ( OEM for my year with dual disc) MC prior to getting the other rotor on and found that it took both hands on the lever  to get the damn thing stopped! It went from "Won't stop" to "lock up" in a heart beat

There are some good articles on the net about Caliper/MC ratios ( could be snowbum's site) check them out b4 advancing to the "greasy stage"

 My 79 R65 with single rotor ATE brake caliper would not stop the machine with a 16mm MC.

[benlawlor85]

Oh not good.
i will look into this, i just assumed that 16mm wud mean more fluid going through so better stopping!
anyone else have any thoughts?

Ben

[benlawlor85]

Read the article and a few others looks like i either need a 12mm MC or to keep the current set-up! will see!

[montmil]

Hey, Ben

I forget the model year R65 you have. Please consider posting that info in your sig line or avatar or... It's a big help in getting good responses from forum members.

Remember that these are O-L-D motorcycles. Comparing most anything on a vintage R65 to a current BMW GS hotrod will only cause you to spend unnecessary cash in an attempt to make a silk purse out of a cow.

Enjoy the bike for what it is; a classic BMW from the way back days. Ride it, don't hide it.

Monte

[benlawlor85]

My R65 is a mono, 87 not that the year makes any difference on the monos as far as im aware. and my GS aint current its a '96. but i take what you mean.

anyway im going to wait and see what parts i get from James Sherlocks today and take it from there.