Change Valve Cover

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

perhaps a clutch cable

You want to be sure and put some axle grease on both ends of the clutch cable so it does not bind as it goes through it's travel.

The top one is especially vulnerable to this, as that barrel on the end of the cable has to be able to ROTATE as you pull the clutch lever, or else the wires in the cable will eventually break one at a time until...


click for a larger picture

[Sava66]

so is this gasket adequate? is this a paper gasket? (in the pictures above?)

[Bob_Roller]

The picture you posted, is the paper gasket that goes on the valve cover .

One gasket per valve cover .

[Sava66]

One of the customers at Siebenrock today (who happens to work in the same building as me) said "That's an R65? I think it's got an R100 engine!" I was shocked. Knowing so little about the history of the bike, I said, are you 100% sure? After a few seconds he changed his mind and said "no, it just looks like it because you have those valve covers on them". Are the valve covers I have on non-standard for a 1982?

[Bob_Roller]

The R65 valve covers were bare metal from the factory, the R100 bikes had the valve covers painted, or powder coated black from the factory .

[montmil]

After a few years in the fast lane, valve covers on any Airhead can begin to look a little gnarly.

Both my R65s came with a few minor scuffs plus a big chip outta one cover's fin. Not too pretty.

After a thorough cleaning, I applied a build up of JB Weld to the scuffed areas and, with the help of some masking tape, built up the nicked area on the one fin. Careful filing and sanding yielded a like-new surface texture.

Wanting to go faster than a stock R65, and more like an R100S, I painted them a semi-flat black.  [smiley=thumbup.gif]

[Sava66]

Monte, so did you use the JB weld like bondo? Got any pics of the valve covers? What make/model of paint did you use? My goal now is to make the "BMW" letters on the engine shine again.

Why do other classic airheads have the model number on the engine (like R90) but it doesn't say R65 on my engine?

I am going to post some pictures soon on a new "detailing" topic. I think the answer to all of my (cosmetic) problems might be a dremel.

[Sava66]

I saw this new GS1200 in the BMW shop that had a blue/red gas tank paint scheme and one valve cover blue, one red. i thought it looked pretty cool.

[Julio A.]

My dad had the same paint job done on his covers. After a year or so they started to bubble.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

My dad had the same paint job done on his covers. After a year or so they started to bubble.

Did he use high temperature paint?

[tvrla]

To answer your question - yes, the gaskets are paper, very thick paper. I've super glued broken ones and they sealed up fine. Doesn't hurt to try since it's no work to replace if it leaks.

[Julio A.]

Did he use high temperature paint?

Actually, it started out as the original factory "magnesium" coating that came with the bike. Every Oilhead I have seen in this country with the coloured valve covers(1150 Rockster and GS Adventure) is suffering the same problem. And I mean Every one of those models. I have yet to see an oilhead coloured valve covers without a blemish on its finish.

Other people(like my dad) then removed the color by sandpaper then had a layer of powdercoated on. He was not the only one who did this and still, the covers slowly flaked off.

It must be the humidity here or something.

[montmil]

Monte, so did you use the JB weld like bondo? Yes Got any pics of the valve covers? Looking for 'em What make/model of paint did you use? Ace Hardware-brand semi-gloss black. Been on for a few years now. My goal now is to make the "BMW" letters on the engine shine again. They never were shiny. Brushed aluminum, they are.

Why do other classic airheads have the model number on the engine (like R90) but it doesn't say R65 on my engine? BMW's decision. The side panels often had stickers that read "R65". Many of the slash series bikes had the i'd' plates as stick-on attachment.

I am going to post some pictures soon on a new "detailing" topic. I think the answer to all of my (cosmetic) problems might be a dremel.

This is a "tuned up" valve cover on the '83 Mexico Bike with the Ace Hardware & BMW Parts paint. In reviewing your valve cover damage, it may be a better idea to source a used one off eBay.

[Sava66]

I got a pair of valve covers for 15 euro from ebay.de. I just wanted to know about the paint you used. I just need a feeler gauge and an oil catch and I'll be ready. i have everything else I need. It looks like you have some carbon fiber on your pipes too. gold? looks cool.

[montmil]

Definitely not carbon fiber. Exhaust header wrap from JEGS:

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performance+Products/555/32062/10002/-1