How I joined Beemerhood!

[Jimmer]

I have always admired BMW motorcycles.  I am a private pilot and it seems many fellow ( motorcycling ) pilots tend to prefer this marque!
I answered an ad on craigslist from a frustrated cyclist that owned a 1979 R65 basket case.  He was interested in trading it for any two wheeled motorized vehicle that ran. I had  ( and please forgive me ) a 1981 Yamaha 750 Seca that met his requirements,  I had planned on selling it this spring anyway.  I figured I could give restoring an old Beemer a shot.   It must be worth more than what I had, alive or dead!  I called him and he insisted we make the trade ( before I could change my mind ) and he would deliver the bike to me ASAP. He drove over an hour to git-r-done the same day.  ( This bike was not 100% complete and was on it's way to becoming a modified cafe racer ).  I always liked the cafe racer look.
     I was all excited to start the restoration on my new project, when I
went to my local BMW dealer, Country Rode BMW in Fairport, N.Y., with pictures of my project in hand, when they dropped the bad news on me.  They advised me that financially this may not be the best idea.
I would be best advised  to purchase a complete and running bike rather than take a chance on this project.  I disagreed at this point.
     Thus I began the dismantling the bike when I found excessive oxidation in the right cylinder, I knew they were right.  The price of parts, along with machine work was way over budget.
     I was offered a very fine example of virtually the same bike,
( complete, running, and in far better shape ) for just over the cost of repairing what I had.  It was a no brainer and I looked to E-bay to dispose of my project at the same time financing the new wheels.  I am looking forward to taking delivery of my ( new to me) 1981 R65 as soon as the weather breaks up here in Upstate N.Y.
Jimmer

[MrRiden]

Pilot eh? Upstate? SWF perhaps? In a previous life I used FWN and 4N1 as a base but enough of that. Welcome to BMW's and the finest of the marque, the R65. You'll never justify the money spent on an old bike so quit trying to. It's a passion thing and I think most of us are in it for the jollies. Oh, you can mitigate the cost but you'll never come out ahead, in dollars. You will gain an extraordinary amount of enjoyment and maybe even make some worthwhile new acquaintances. The thing about this brand is the disproportionate number of people in aviation who own them as compared to other bikes. The motor perhaps? Anyway welcome aboard! You'll enjoy it more than a touch and go at 12n! We like pictures, please post a few when the snow melts.
rich

[nhmaf]

Welcome aboard !

Now please place your seatbacks and tray tables into the full upright and locked position to prepare for take-off !

Hey - we like all bikes here- I had an '82 Maxim and my brother had an '82 Seca back in the day.

[steve hawkins]

When you start parting out the basket case, keep a few things for the other bike.  Keep the best stuff for spares

The throttle - the twin pull throttle on a 1979 bike is far better that the single pull splitter arrangement on the post 81 bike. Any other good interchangeable spares - you never know when you will need them.

The engine/gearbox/clutch/flywheel are not interchangeable, but wheels, carbs,exhaust and most chassis part are.  You never know when you will need them.

Having said that the 81 bike will make a fine Cafe Racer.

Have a look at mine if you have not already seen it.

And a link for my little adventure:

http://www.randybozarth.com/gallery/stevehawkins/

[not-so-fast-ed]

Welcome aboard, Jimmer.  My formative years were spent in the Utica/Rome area.  I remember snow as just a very trying season.  It hit 70 here today and I was involved in fulfilling responsibilities to friends in need of mechanical help.  Saw a dozen bikers through the course of the day, but only one BMW.  It wasn't even an airhead.

Send pictures when you can and don't be afraid to ask questions.  We have some of the most knowledgeable and creative Airheads around.  Just look what Steve has done with his hacksaw.  ;~)
There are many, many more of us with tons of experience to take advantage of.  (Of course I'm still behind the power curve, myself)

Best,
Ed

[Jimmer]

Then beemer has landed!  It was too dark to take photos by the time I got her home, so I'll have to owe you one.  Thanks for all of your responses and I look forward to getting to know you folks!
Jimmer

[suecanada]

The feeling is mutual Jimmer!!! Welcome.

[aussie]

Better late than never - welcome aboard Jimmer. I think that it's fair to day if you want any info on making a cafe - Steve is the Man to go to.  

[Jimmer]

Here she is!  It was too windy today to set her out on the centerstand.
Steve, your cafe is beautiful,  but I don't have the heart to modify this one as is is a very nice original.  The bike I parted on e-bay would have been a better candidate as it lacked many parts and would have been more suited.  I still have not had the opportunity to ride this as the weather has not cooperated in Upstate N.Y. since I brought her home. ( Too rainy, Too Windy )!  I transported it in a fully enclosed u-haul to keep the salt from the road off her.  For the aviators in the group, I fly out of KPEO and would love to correspond with you and possibly set up an event.  We offer a great pancake breakfast every Fourth of July!  ( Penn Yan N.Y. in the Finger Lakes ).
Thanks again!
Jimmer

[aussie]

Oh - hey! NICE looking bike. What's that do-hicky on the side panel above the R65?

[Jimmer]

Thanks for the compliment, The doohickey is artwork that was painted on by the previous owners.  It is a tropical palm tree/summery beachy thing featuring a few seagulls.  My thoughts are they are either "parrot heads" or need a reminder of warmer seasons during our harsh winters here. The only parts that I kept from my earlier basket case R65 are the sidecovers that are at currently at a body shop getting new black paint. I am hoping the R65 decals are still available.
Jimmer

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Yes, the decals are still available.


Do you know about the various online parts microfiche that is available for our bikes?

I like RealOEM.  

Use this link - http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do?vin=6380675&kind=P&arch=0

type in your 7-digit VIN where it says Search.  Then save that link in your favorites, and it will always go to your bike.

Strange - some of the catagories are coming up in German.  It didn't use to do that!
If you go in from the home page, the R65s are hidden in the "Motorcycle" "Archive", as opposed to "Current".

[Ed Miller]

Just memorize your VIN like I did, type that in, and it will go right to your stuff.  I do that with the ETK program too.

[Justin B.]

Which ETK are you running?

[Ed Miller]

It says version 1.1.  It's several years old.  It's the same one of which I sent out multiple copies a few years ago; I think you got one.