An R 65 Newbie

[Peter_Baker]

Hi all,

At 50 years young, I just purchased my first road bike, a lovely old 1983 R 65.  Unfortunately, it didn't come with the owners manual but then again it did cost the princely sum of $500.00 . If anyone can help with what regular maintenance my old girl requires, it would be greatly appreciated.

Pete

[montmil]

Hello, Pete! Welcome to your best source for all things R65. You're joining a whole lotta other Aussies on this site.

You picked a fine motorcycle for your first ride. Of course, you'll be spoiled for any other bike. Hope you'll consider a rider safety course similar to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation programs offered here in the Colonies. Get started on the right foot and all.

There are two good service manuals available; the Clymer and Haynes publications. Both have the service schedules for your bike and will be an excellent addition to your toolbox. Of course, you'll have a wealth of information available right here, too.

And once again, welcome. [smiley=beer.gif] Cheers, Mate!

Monte

[Peter_Baker]

Thanks Monte for your prompt reply and welcome. Yes, we have a "stay upright" course here and as it has been many years since riding road bikes I have booked in for the 2 day course.

I have a mate who has the Clymer manual which he is donating to me and I'm sure that will be a handy asset.

I look forward to reading thru this awesome site and hopefully gain some knowledge and insight to this great little bike.

Cheers,
Pete

[dav]

Welcome Pete ...cant believe you paid just 500 bucks for your beast!!! mate what a find you are a lucky man indeed....ha btw looks like you paid more for your helmet then your R65 ....

Welcome again mate....cheers

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Unfortunately, it didn't come with the owners manual but then again it did cost the princely sum of $500.00  

Well like we say here in Texas, even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every now and again.  What a great find!  Congratulations on your new bike and welcome to the farm.  There's lots of good stuff here and a wealth of information.  Like Monte (I've got a chicken named after me) Mil says the manuals will be an invaluable resource.

Do you have a provenance for the bike or any of the service records?  If not, it's best to start with fresh fluid changes throughout and get familiar with the little guy.  How many miles/kms on the bike? You can do just about everything necessary to keep it running young.

[Peter_Baker]

ha btw looks like you paid more for your helmet then your R65

Hi dav... fellow Sydney-sider and R65 rider. The bike was a bargain and yep, the helmet cost a lot more than the bike. Went to the MCAS at Auburn, tried every helmet and that was the only one that felt perfect.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Pete

[Peter_Baker]

Do you have a provenance for the bike or any of the service records?If not, it's best to start with fresh fluid changes throughout and get familiar with the little guy.How many miles/kms on the bike? You can do just about everything necessary to keep it running young.  

A mate of mine bought it in 1989 as a one owner. He used it regularly until 2003. It was serviced annually by a shop in Sydney called Motocyclia and meticulously maintained mechanically since then. It runs like a clock, with a 133,000 k's (80,000miles) just a little untidy otherwise. I'm hoping to give it a tidy up and use it for weekend rides with my wife and friends.

No doubt, I will have a few questions to put forward here. I hope you guys don't mind.

[Bob_Roller]

When you do a currency conversion, it's $420US, what a steal !!!!!!!!!!

At least you've got a good maintenance history of what's been done to the bike, that's half the battle .

It's not a 'barn find', you did yourself real good this time .

[Lucky_Lou]

The bike looks a steal at that price....but i hope you haggled abit just for the sake of it. Welcome to the site got your PM will sort something soon.
Lou

[Ed Miller]

Hi Luckypete,

Mine was 500 dollars too, but wasn't in that good of shape.  Still isn't, for that matter.

You should be able to get a factory owner's manual from a BMW dealer, they're very handy.

Have fun,

[markniemer]

I can relate.  After many years off motorized 2 wheels (1974 Yamaha RD350 in college, sort of tricked out and with the soul of a cat in terms of quickness) and many miles on a bicycle, I purchased a 1981 R65 with 8650 miles.  I also got a Vetter fairing (sans installation instructions) that I was able to get attached, replaced a faulty odometer that was not recording miles, and recently updated all the gaskets.  The most perplexing thing was the lack of acceleration at highway speeds.  Ultimately, the carbs were OK but the rubberized trumpet on the air intake for the right cylinder was folded closed on itself.  After trimming the flexible rubber away and rebalancing the carbs, she can really fly.  Great to be back on a bike.  Getting a little cold in the upper midwest so I will probably give it a rest for the winter.  I love the precise handling and the low center of gravity.

MarkN