New member

[bud53phx]

Hi! Am acquiring a 1982 R65LS later this week, having taken it for a test ride over the weekend. Impressed by the power (friends told me R65s are "stressed," so perhaps I had low expectations) and handling. Front end dive when applying the brakes and seeming lack of brakes bothered me at first until the seller told me to be firmer. Any quirks that I need to be aware of? Any upgrades, improvements that I need to consider? I have owned numerous bikes over the past decade (from Triumph Sprint ST to Harley V-Rod); just sold a 1985 K100RS and still have a 1994 R100RT. The R65 just struck me as interesting and potentially fun on back roads. Look forward responses.

[Lucky_Lou]

Welcome ....were is "CT" ? forgive my ignorance, beware of the side stand and center stand they can be dodgy and you dont want your new ride embarrasing you when parking..............
Lou

[Bob_Roller]

I'll go out on a balsa wood limb and say it's an abbreviation for the state of Connecticut in the northeastern US .

You're going to have a lot of enjoyment  with your R65, just takes a bit getting used to after other BMW bikes of larger displacement .

Give us the history on the bike and we can giove you a general consensus on where to start working on the bike .

As usual, welcome to the 'chaos' and ask any questions that you may have about the bike, we have a lot of experience with this' forgotten' bike !!!!!

[montmil]

1982, eh? Splits my brace of R65s right down the middle. Be sure and post up some photos, Wilkie. We keep it pretty simple here... usually

Play with some fork oil weights. The BMW spec is 7.5 wt and I've always found that to be too light. Is this an upgrade?

The "seeming lack of brakes" is a fairly common observation regarding the Weemer's rear drum. There's a big ol' oil seal around the final drive splines that can -when worn out- allow the gear oil to slick up the drum and shoes. Big fun, that. Plan your braking well in advance. Plus those pesky O-rings on the brake cam shaft... You'll get used to relying on the front disc a bit more.
   These are all fairly old scooters. We have to adapt to their idiosyncrasies.

Maybe take a peek under the fuel tank and see what type of ignition coil you have. Plenty of the untrustworthy Crack-O-Matics still out there.

I'd suggest changing all lubricants, check valve lash and give the sparkle plugs a look. If you have metal spark plug caps, there's a nice upgrade you could make.

While the carbs are playing nice, leave 'em be. Fuel filter is a nice thing to have.

Ride it. Enjoy it. Repeat.

Welcome to the herd, asylum, family... whatever. You get to choose!

Monte

[bud53phx]

Yes, CT is Connecticut. I have a website RIDE-CT.com, which has motorcycle news for CT... Used to live in the Valley of the Sun (1979-2002) and know Tempe well having spent countless hours at Gammage Auditorium, Depot Cantina and Sun Devil Stadium. Used to work for The Arizona Republic and Fox 10... Don't know much about the bike. Has about 35,000 miles. Cosmetically it's in pretty good shape. Seemed to run smoothly. Only rode it for 10 or so miles on twisty, hilly backroads.

[nhmaf]

It is JUST THE RIGHT bike for some of those old back country cowpaths that they call "roads" in Connecticut - particularly in the northwest quarter of the state!
 

[bud53phx]

OK, R65LS is in the garage and, after sitting D.M.V. for an hour and 45 minutes this morning, is registered. Rode about 30 miles and it's beginning to become comfortable. What were once "issues" are now quirks. Tightened up the rear shocks a couple of clicks. The choke seems sticky (or something) as it holds the idle at about 2,500 rpms when closed. If I open it about three-quarters, it backs off the idle to the point where the bike sputters. Throttle isn't sticking. I'm pleasantly surprised by the bike's pep and handling. The R100RT may begin collecting a little dust because of it. Need to find a right side cover.

[suecanada]

Just a comment on your friend's comment about R65s being "stressed". I have always been under the impression that it is the opposite. Overengineered....the baby beemer with the big boy's components/specs keeping the engine rather understressed. Only scaled down to a 650's bore and stroke...otherwise most things the same. I may be totally wrong here.

[Lucky_Lou]

I agree with Sue about over engineering, you have many of the same components as the larger BM,s so gearboxes ect should have alot more life and a shorter stroke engine aint no bad thing.
As for over revving at idle check the rubber connectors from the carbs to the cylinder heads any air leaks will cause high idle.
Lou