Re Engine R65

[twandre]

My new 82 R65 is a great ride, very nimble. However, the engine is a true paint shaker!!
I was wondering if there is a different engine that would bolt in with minimal changeover?
Thom

[Bob_Roller]

Thom

Your description of 'paint shaker' about the R65 engine, is a little out of the ordinary.

Could you explain it a bit more ?

It's a twin cylinder engine, so it is going to have a higher vibration level, than say a four cylinder engine.

About the only common complaint that I have heard about the R65, was a 'buzzy vibration' band around 42-4500 rpm.

After 80,000 miles, I can't even detect it on my bike.

 Might be the carbs out of balance ?

Engine mount nuts loose ?

[twandre]

This bike has 14K. The vibration starts about 4000. It's nowhere near as smooth as my 100RT.
The R 65 has a reputation for this. I wish to change this.

[Justin B.]

If your engine is in perfect tune then I suppose your options are to ride faster (out of the buzz band),  replace the steel motor mount spacers with hard rubber (helps a little), replace with R100 engine, or get used to it!  If you replace the engine your cornering angle will be less as the bigger engines are about 1.5" wider.

[flongr65]

I have an 81 R65 with 23,000 miles and an 87 R80. On the Highway I suppose the R80 is a better ride, but the R 65 runs just as smooth (I'm accustomed to the vibration in the 4000 to 4500 RPM area) and is far more fun to ride on the twisties and mountain roads around Salt Lake City. If I had to choose between the two I'd take the R65 with my Euro bars, bar end mirrors and "S" style fairing. It's just more fun for my style of riding.

I'd check to see if your carbs, etc. are tuned properly. When I first brought my bike out to SLC, elevation 5000+, from the East coast, the bike ran like crap, but with the carbs re-tuned it runs smoothly.

[dewjantim]

Yeah, I would get those carbs synced and adjusted, I am amazed how much better airheads run when carbs are right.....Dew.

[Ed Miller]

I've heard of people fine tuning their cable adjustment at the rpms they want to ride, adjusting for smoothness.  Obviously you could only turn the adjuster on the left carb.  I don't do it that way as the off-idle smoothness is important for navigating my driveway and I don't really notice higher rpm vibrations anyway, but it's a thought.  

It may not be the safest method unless you know some long straight roads with little or no traffic.

[Semper Gumby]

Hi Twandre,

You might try a Lufty anti-vibration kit (expensive) or I have heard that you can use some /2 rubber bits but I don't know the part numbers.  You would need 4 plus 8 washers to back them up and two nylock nuts.  Either kit is installed on the engine mount underneath the cylinders.  The aft mount remains tight.  This should get rid of the 4500 RPM buzz unless there are other issues.

The even more expensive option would be to swap in a R80 or R100 short block motor.  Which year these are I do not know.  There is an apples to oranges issue with the flywheel and clutch.  Remember these longer stroke motors are geared a little taller than the R65.  If you change the rear end to mach the motor then your speedo will be off.

If it drives you that much crazy you are better off going out and buying a R80 or R100.  Really.  The only R65 converted that I know of was in Chattanooga (Frankenbeemer).  But he hasn't posted here in a long time.  Probably two bulliten boards ago....