Custom restoration - R65LS

[peteremc]

So, I thought I would introduce this project before leaning on the contributors for what might be lots of information in coming months!

This story begins back in 1984 when I bought a near-new R65LS. Pretty sure it was an '83 model, but it was very low kilometres and a very good price. Fell in love with the looks, handling, low maintenance, etc. Sold it in 1986, to move to a remote area in Australia - no sealed roads I'm afraid. This was the first of a string of airheads in later years including a couple of R80s (interspersed with a number of other brands and styles of bikes) but nothing else seemed to measure up.

Fast forward to about 2005 and skip the adventures and assuming family responsibilities in between, and an '82 R65LS came up for sale locally. Very low kilometres and very good price, so I had to have it. Ran like a dream for several years, rode it a lot, but it eventually assumed it's place as one of the bikes in a stable which grew to 4 bikes at one stage. I'm a bike tart, as long as it has 2 wheels I'm interested, but I still have my preferences.

Then came an unfortunate driveway incident which tipped it on it's side. I still have that nightmare because I was driving the vehicle and as I was reversing down the driveway (where, earlier in the day I had parked the bike) and from the driver's seat I couldn't see the bike until I just caught it toppling over in the passenger rear view mirror. Only suffered panel damage, but a couple of gouges in the fairing kinda spoiled the looks. Not sure why, but it then spent a couple of years at the back of the garage, unridden and unregistered, while I played with other, more shiny toys.

Late last year I decided to do something with it and always had a custom in mind. As soon as I started my research, I realised I must’ve been the only person on earth who was oblivious to the craze of doing café-racer-scrambler-bratbike restorations on these things. I discovered a world of parts and nice bits for the 80’s air head. This suits me fine. I’ve always wanted another café racer (my very first bike was a Ducati 350 and later progressed to a 450 Desmo – damn, why did I sell that bike?).

So, the 1982 R65LS is in bits – see attached photo.

To the point of this first post. I have the motor on the bench and the cases have generally cleaned up very nicely, but the fins have years of build up between them. I've searched the forum and can't find anything specific, so if anyone has a good method for cleaning up between the fins I'd really appreciate it.

More photos and updates will follow. I promise.

[montmil]

Your photo reminds me of the plastic model kits I lusted after as a wee bairn. Gonna need a big tube of Testor's glue for that 1:1 scale model.

Unless you plan to remove the heads and cylinders for something like aqua blasting, you may be limited to many hours and tubs of good ol' elbow grease.

I might try some cleaning solution/s and a few different sizes of brass bore brushes. Shooting supply shops would be a source.

[peteremc]

Your photo reminds me of the plastic model kits I lusted after as a wee bairn. Gonna need a big tube of Testor's glue for that 1:1 scale model.

Unless you plan to remove the heads and cylinders for something like aqua blasting, you may be limited to many hours and tubs of good ol' elbow grease.

I might try some cleaning solution/s and a few different sizes of brass bore brushes. Shooting supply shops would be a source.

Yes, most of us remember those models! Great fun when you're a young fella. This is probably the man-sized version.

Not going to dismantle the motor, so elbow grease it is. I actually tried a brass brush on a rotary tool and I did this in a discreet spot but it appeared to leave the cases a darker colour. Maybe from the mix of metals (brass on alloy)? Any one have any ideas? It worked OK and I'm wondering if I should proceed.

[D Mann]

Check Snowbums article, but there is no easy street for cleaning aluminum   http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/alcorr.htm

[Luca]

Your LS didn't by chance have the BMW digital clock in the dashboard, did it?

[Red_Hen]

That's about how mine looked [ch128076]
Labor of love I tell you!

Mine had an ash tray on the dash [ch128077] But replaced it with a voltmeter [ch9889][ch65039]

Still dialing her in and I've had her @7-8 years already.

So there is hope!  Good luck mate!

[peteremc]

Your LS didn't by chance have the BMW digital clock in the dashboard, did it?

No Luca, it didn't. I've never seen that on an LS

[peteremc]

Check Snowbums article, but there is no easy street for cleaning aluminum   http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/alcorr.htm

Thanks for the tip. Some time ago I read the rather lengthy, sometimes eclectic, but often invaluable information from Snowbum, so looks like I'll be revisiting.

[peteremc]

I just realised I should've put the original post over in the restoration logs area and continued from there, so if you want to see more along the way that's where the rest of this story will be.

[suecanada]

I've had some semblance of luck using a paint stir stick wrapped with some emory paper or a scrubby pad that is worn so it fits between the cylinder fins. The paint stir stick fits. Good luck! Don't forget to ride it even though it'll get all dirty again....I have been accused of being somewhat anal when it comes to cleaning the bike but not anymore!!

[suecanada]

Learning to relax on cleaning ...... except those white wheels!!! Even there I relax a bit when on a long distance trip and some rear drive oil mixes with brake dust on the white rim!

I have settled on the fact that either the O-rings just don't really work that well on the brake actuating arm  :-/OR the new arm with only 2 square o-ring slots at either end of the arm will finally solve my dirt complex. As stated in another thread all those other shallow grooves (3-4) are just machined-in to help distribute oil to the rear drive.

[peteremc]

I've had some semblance of luck using a paint stir stick wrapped with some emory paper or a scrubby pad that is worn so it fits between the cylinder fins. The paint stir stick fits. Good luck! Don't forget to ride it even though it'll get all dirty again....I have been accused of being somewhat anal when it comes to cleaning the bike but not anymore!!

Now that's the sort of "this is simple but worked for me" (but I would never have thought of it) type of tip I was after, thanks Sue Sounds good.

[luxlogs]

Any Progress??

[skibum69]

I was thinking a Dremel tool with the plastic brushes might work but haven't tried it yet.

[nhmaf]

I generally used the green scotchbrite (green, non metal) scrubbing pads along with generous amounts of WD40 or brake cleaner (or sometimes WD40 followed by the brake cleaner)