Dexter's Return

[Graeme]

Well, about five weeks ago I decided to drop the R65 LS in to get the comprsssion checked. It just didn't seem fast enough. Well, the compression was 30 & 34. New rings, head reco & honed cylinders. New back brakes & seal in the diff due to oil leaking into the drum. Additionally, one valve was about to disapear. Lucky.

$1800 later it's back this morning & even with only a few k's on it, there's a huge difference. Anyway, to justify these costs, Dexter will be sticking around for some considerable time.  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

CONGRATULATIONS!  

[msbuck]

Got 'cha a 'new' bike there, huh?  Have fun with it!

[GDeane]

The bike I just picked up tested at 70lbs per cylinder.  Valves are fine, so hoping the compression will come up if I run it a little.  The bike was not run very much; 9300 original miles.  I've been told a rebuild on these bikes usually requires rings only.  Rarely is there wear to the cylinder walls.  Any truth to this?

[Bob_Roller]

Starting with a manufacture date of 09/80, the cylinder walls are plated, the trade name is nikasil, somewhat similar to chrome .

I'm kind of surprised me to read  the cylinders were honed .

[Lucky_Lou]

Phew i thought you were going to give away the plot line on the latest Dexter season ..............we havent got it yet here.
Glad your in a long term relationship enjoy.
Lou

[Graeme]

The bike I just picked up tested at 70lbs per cylinder.  Valves are fine, so hoping the compression will come up if I run it a little.  The bike was not run very much; 9300 original miles.  I've been told a rebuild on these bikes usually requires rings only.  Rarely is there wear to the cylinder walls.  Any truth to this?

Thanks for those words all. I have to take it easy for about 1000k's so there's an incentive to spend some time on it. I took it to a shop to have done. (I accidentally dropped "the magic word" when I got the bill but they only charges 6 hours labour so I shouldn't complain.)

I've ordered some parts from Motobins to finish off some smaller jobs, myself.

As for the Nikasil by Bob; some quick research shows that the R80 GS was supplied with Nikasil from 1980 on. You would certainly think that the R65's were too.  The bike has done about 212,000 K's. Pistons still had the cross hatching in evidence. Interesting?

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Trust me, Graeme, if that is the original engine in your LS, it has Nikasil cylinders.  1981 model year (began manufacture in Sept. 1980) onward had this feature, on all airheads, AFAIK.

[Graeme]

Trust me, Graeme, if that is the original engine in your LS, it has Nikasil cylinders.  1981 model year (began manufacture in Sept. 1980) onward had this feature, on all airheads, AFAIK.

Well, I've just checked the documentation & they've charged me for it. (Honing). It might not be Nickasil coated any more then.  :-/

[Barry]

Well, I've just checked the documentation & they've charged me for it. (Honing). It might not be Nickasil coated any more then.  

I'm sure I've read someplace that Nikasil can be honed to bed in new rings.

Edit:
Yep Snowbums says it can be done lightly with a ball hone for deglazing which is not the same as honing in the traditional sense to produce a cross hatch pattern even then he doesn't seem all that keen on it. Still if it was done correctly you should have nothing to worry about.
http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/cylinders.htm

[Semper Gumby]

The bike I just picked up tested at 70lbs per cylinder.  Valves are fine, so hoping the compression will come up if I run it a little.  The bike was not run very much; 9300 original miles.  I've been told a rebuild on these bikes usually requires rings only.  Rarely is there wear to the cylinder walls.  Any truth to this?

Hi Greg,

I would either put Marvel Mystery Oil in the oil (12oz) and some in the gas tank (2oz) and run it for 500 miles.  This should clean out the motor.  If that doesn't work then get some Sea Foam and do the head cleaning procedure by taking off the air tubes so you can get to the front mouth of the carb and choke each cylinder with SeaFoam.  This will kill the bike and turn it into an insect fogger but it is needed to get the SeaFoam into the cylinder to clean out the carbon and free up the rings.  Follow the instructions on the 16oz can.  Actually I would use the air intake tubes by turning them out away from the airfilter but leave them attached to the carb.  This will make it easy to pour the SeaFoam into the motor while it is running!  It sounds crazy but mechanics I know swear by this stuff.

If that doesn't work, remove the cylinders and clean the pistons and put in new rings.

My 03/1980 motor has had two sets of rings honed twice and the cylinders are still on their original bore at 105,000 miles.  Nikasil  cylinders started on the R65 in 09/1980 (September 1980).

Good luck.

[GDeane]

Trust me, Graeme, if that is the original engine in your LS, it has Nikasil cylinders.  1981 model year (began manufacture in Sept. 1980) onward had this feature, on all airheads, AFAIK.

Well, I've just checked the documentation & they've charged me for it. (Honing). It might not be Nickasil coated any more then.  :-/

Did not mean to rain on your parade.  I have an 82 R65 and it appears I am have the same issues you were having.  I was just double checking what I'd heard.  Bottom line is you now have a great running bike and that is all that matters.  Keep smiling!

[GDeane]

Hi Greg,

I would either put Marvel Mystery Oil in the oil (12oz) and some in the gas tank (2oz) and run it for 500 miles.This should clean out the motor.If that doesn't work then get some Sea Foam and do the head cleaning procedure by taking off the air tubes so you can get to the front mouth of the carb and choke each cylinder with SeaFoam.This will kill the bike and turn it into an insect fogger but it is needed to get the SeaFoam into the cylinder to clean out the carbon and free up the rings.Follow the instructions on the 16oz can.Actually I would use the air intake tubes by turning them out away from the airfilter but leave them attached to the carb.This will make it easy to pour the SeaFoam into the motor while it is running!It sounds crazy but mechanics I know swear by this stuff.

If that doesn't work, remove the cylinders and clean the pistons and put in new rings.

My 03/1980 motor has had two sets of rings honed twice and the cylinders are still on their original bore at 105,000 miles.Nikasilcylinders started on the R65 in 09/1980 (September 1980).

Good luck.  

Thanks!  I was not sure where to begin.

Greg

[suecanada]

New back brakes & seal in the diff due to oil leaking into the drum.  

What is suspect IF there is no oil in the drum but a bit of oil spun out onto the wheel rim? Filler cap breather is properly raised!!! Oil seems to be seeping from the brake actuating arm though it is hard to pinpoint the origin of the oil. I was going to put a rubber backed washer on the actuating arm as well as that felt washer they have on there already, as I think nhmaf has done. Comments?  The O-ring internally on the arm are new and have been done several times to no real avail. Raising the filler cap breather was the best thing done to control the oil flinging. I guess I want it perfect :-/