My second BMW is a 1982 R65LS

[Dave 2]

Hello Everyone,
 I'm a newbie, and this is my second try at a message...I lost my first one last evening when I tried to attach a photo of my bike.  So I guess I won't try that again on this post. Hopefully I will figure that out.  Anyway I bought the bike last July. The guy I bought it from had it outdoors, unused, under a tarp for the past three years. The oxidation on the engine and other aluminium is not a pretty sight. The frame and bodywork all look like they need repainting. He said it ran fine the last time he used it but that the battery was discharging. I thought I would take it all apart get the frame and body work painted and have it on the road this Spring. NOT! I didn't even touch it.  How come life gets filled up with so many priorities when you want it to become simpler? Three weeks ago I swallowed my pride, put it on my pickup and took it down to Street Cycles in Falmouth, ME. They have been going over it and so far the only significant problem is the bearing for the steering head was shot, and the gas tank was seeping fuel, so that is being sent out to be sealed. They have removed and plugged the evaporator system, and replaced the front tire. I asked them to check out the charging system, but last time I spoke with them, I forgot to ask what they found with this.

I have a question about aftermarket shocks. I'm thinking about Ikons or Works Performance. Does anyone have some experience with either of these or are there other brands that I might consider?

Finally I find it odd that the R65 is usually considered "underpowered". My first BMW that I bought new was a 1971 R60/5 (short wheel base) It had 40 hp as compared to the R65's 50 hp. I took my R60/5 across the country and up and down the west coast as well as new England. It purred all day between 80 and 85 mph. It so not fast from a start, but to me that is not the point. The point is enjoying the wonderful pull of the twin cylinders and the rock steady (usually) ride. Comments? Thanks Dave 2

[Altritter]

Welcome to The Madness, Dave 2! You've come to the right place for both straight information and fun. It's a great group—by far, my favorite bike forum because of the talent and expertise, without the arrogance and clannishness that one often finds elsewhere.

[I can't believe I'm the first responder to your message. I recognize that a number of our frequent posters are going to the national Rally, but I didn't think all of us who can't make  the trip are sleeping in this late. You can expect a lot more to respond; stay tuned.]

Opinions on shocks vary nearly as much as those about tires (the latter have been banished to the "rants" forum), so you'll hear many honest personal preferences. I'm relatively new to the group, having returned to riding after several decades, so take my opinions with a lot of salt. Ikons are the Koni design (Koni got out of the motorcycle shock business, and an Australian company bought the rights to manufacture them. I have Konis on my 1981 standard R65 (you'll find there's almost no such thing as a "standard" R65, even within the same model year), and I like them a lot.

I'm thinking about replacing the Konis, but only because I'm working to lower my bike to accommodate my short inseam. Some of our riders who happen to be small of stature have switched to Hagons (British) and like them. The Ikons receive good marks, also. About the only shocks that are universally dissed are BMW's OEM shocks; everyone seems to hate them. (I wouldn't know from experience, so that's strictly hearsay.)

I think you'll find that what the R65 might lack on the top end, it more than repays in quickness, agility, comfort, and just plain fun.

I'm sure you'll be hearing from others. Again, welcome to the fun house!

John

[montmil]

Welcome, Davex2, to both you and your soon-to-be resurrected R65LS. This is a great place for information, tech help. hand-holding mechanical support and all things related to our favorite scooters... the R65 family.

Here's another source for shocks. Some brands, as Ikon, can be rather pricey. The R65 takes a 13-inch shock but do confirm the LS needs as I'm unsure on that. http://www.progressivesuspension.com/

To post photos, and we truly love pics around here, you'll need to hook on with an outfit like Photobucket to post and share your photos. http://photobucket.com/
There's a preferred image size for posting pics but I can't recall right now. Someone will jump in today and assist us... 'cause that's how we be 'round here!

Most of us yank the air-injection system. The bike runs just fine without the concerns of leaky vent hoses spewing oil film about.  

Here's another site that has way more information about Airheads than you'll likely need but it is a good tech assist. Cure for insomnia, too.
http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/

Stop by often. Keep us up to speed on the LS' exit from rehab.

Monte

PS: John, I was proofreading my post and sipping coffee... so I was a bit behind you hitting "send". Central Time here...

[Altritter]

Monte: <you'll need to hook on with an outfit like Photobucket to post and share your photos.>

[I think] There might be an alternative for members with a Mac and a .me account. (I hate that narcissistic url; it used to be ".mac".   )  Put your photos into an iPhoto album, upload to a "mobileme" gallery, set preferences to share that album, then go to our gallery and hook in the album. I'm going to try it when I have a few spare minutes. Stay tuned.

[Justin B.]

I guess I just dreamed that I added a photo gallery to this forum.  Oh well, maybe I'll do that someday...

[Altritter]

Justin, I know you did, for I've been on it. What's messing with our minds is getting our stuff onto your gallery. When they covered the subject of transferring digital photos to a shared site, I must have been having a beer or in the restroom, completing the beer cycle.  

[montmil]

Me? I was having a beer IN the restroom. [smiley=beerchug.gif] 

[Justin B.]

Just register and upload your stuff then sort it into the albums you create...

[Dave 2]

Justin, Thanks for the info about the Coppermine Photo gallery. I registered but being the nummy that I am I didn't realise that I had to upload my photos before I created an alblum. By the way, How do I get the simely faces onto my e-mails? When I click on one I just get a web-link displayed on the e-mail?
And while I'm in the question mode, how do you add the info about your bikes that show up under your name at the bottom of your messages? Thanks, Dave 2

[aussie]

I guess I just dreamed that I added a photo gallery to this forum.  Oh well, maybe I'll do that someday...

 [smiley=ROTFLMAO.gif]

Too funny.

Oh and by the way Davex2 - welcome to the madhouse! I'm looking forward to the piccies.

[Justin B.]

Dave,

The smilies are links to files on this server so if you try to use them in an e-mail it sounds reasonable they might appear as a link.

You can create a custom "signature" in your profile.  Just edit it (can't remember which tab) and you should be able to figure out which tab the signature is under.  

Regards,

[Lucky_Lou]

The posting of photos has a file limit of 500kb i post links to photo bucket, or take the photo on my phone and email it to myself which automaticaly resizes it save it to my pictures then post it from there i dare say theres a better way but being a numpty it will take me forever to figure it out
ps welcome to the forum
these look like good value
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-BMW-R45-65-65LS-Chrome-Black-Shock-Absorbers_W0QQitemZ320329850014QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item4a95259c9e&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1689%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
Lou

[nhmaf]

FYI - I put some Progressive brand shocks on my R65LS and am quite satisfied with them.  They aren't rebuildable like the KONI/IKONs, but did cost less, and seem to work pretty well (plus they were black, not chrome, as there is no chrome on the R65LS).  I think that they are a little bit more stiff than the equivalent IKONs, but again, the IKONs could also be had with different springs.

I ordered my shocks through Bobs BMW, I think.  Just be sure that you get the R65 specific shocks (~13 inch) as opposed to the ~14inch shocks for the R80/R100 frames.

[Dave 2]

Hi nhmaf, thanks for the info. I ended up ordering a pair of Ikons today from Street Cycles for the R65LS. I hope they will have my gas tank back and I'll be able to pick it up this weekend. The Maine Weather since the beginning of June has been nothing but rain and July has not been a big improverment so I have not missed too much prime riding time. Has this been the same for you in New Hampshire? Dave 2

[nhmaf]

It has been pretty wet here too - haven't ridden nearly as much as I normally do but that doesn't mean that I haven't been ridin!

At least going down to the national rally and back got me 2100 more smiling riding miles for this season on top of the paltry amount I've done so far.  

Maybe we can meet up someplace for a lobstah if you need an excuse to ride ! I've lived in new england all of my life and the ONLY month in which I have NEVER seen it snow here has been the month of July (Seriously!)