Newest R65LS Owner

[nhmaf]

IF there is no documentation to indicate that it was changed in the last couple years, treat your new 'date' to fresh fluids (engine oil, gearbox/swingarm/final drive all take 80W90 hypoid gear oil) some of the shifting issues may improve.  Plus, airheads don't shift like [other] wet-clutch bikes - trying to hurry her into the next gear without having the technique right can be a missed shift.   Be a little slower and more deliberate than with a Japanese bike.

[EGRG]

Engine Oil was changed recently but not the final drive oil.  So I will get to it promptly. Your right about the shifts, Its not so much that the oil was cold as that I was getting better at shifting by the end of the ride.

[montmil]

Engine Oil was changed recently but not the final drive oil.

Transmission gear oil does not co-mingle with the engine oil as on many bikes. Gear box takes its own lube.

The final drive and driveshaft also have their separate reservoirs and quantities.

Big fun. Use caution and do not overtighten / strip the small final drive "level" plug. I bought my 1981 R65 pre-stripped.

Monte

[nhmaf]

Hmm, for some reason my response (which was along the same vein as Monte's) is missing from this thread... oh well.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Hello Victor!

I just saw your signature in the tech section.

My Uncle raised his family in Eagle Pass.  Don't see that town mentioned very often.
We used to take vacations to Texas when I was young and getting to visit Piedras Negras and Nuevo Laredo was always a big highlight (Dad had a cousin in Laredo, as well).

In fact my Dad was born in Laredo, but grew up in San Antonio.  His Laredo-ian cousin went to college at Notre Dame and introduced Dad to my Mom after WWII, which is how I managed to grow up as a "cracker" in Indiana.

This is my Dad in San Antonio before the war:



And the Leo that I knew:



WELCOME!

[EGRG]

Great pictures.
Eagle Pass still is small city. Piedras Negras has grown much bigger.
We now have the largest Corona brewery in Mexico. I was born here and love the place. Glad to see you remember the region.

[EGRG]

I now have ridden  a little more than 1000 miles.
I had the speedometer serviced at Overseas.
Changed all oils.
Fixed little details of loose turn signals
Loose front brake light connection.
Checked head torque and valve clearance
Calibrated carbs using the homemade manometer calibration tool.
Had to service one carb with a Bing repair kit because of a major float bowl leak.
Checked timing.
Still have a couple more things to do on the bike.
Like front exhaust crossover has a broken fitting that adjusts gap between pipes. But I do not have the tool to remove the exhaust pipe nuts.
Also am waiting on the timing chain kit, as there is some noise coming from the front of the engine right where the timing chain is.

[nhmaf]

You've been busy!   Good job - it is always satisfying to be able to work on your own bike and know it inside and out!  It is even better to be able to ride it and know that you trust the mechanic who has been working on it!

[EGRG]

Ive had so much fun riding and working on the LS that it probably should be categorized as sinful. Local bike mechanics just look at the bike but have never worked on one. I have worked on diesel engines all my life but never worked on motorcycles.
I have to give credit and thanks to all members of this group. Without the wealth of information on all these posts i would never even would of attempted to buy the bike, never mind fixing it.

[montmil]

Hey, Double Aught ...

About those exhaust pipe nuts; you may need to cut off those existing nuts unless the PO did a really good job of maintaining an anti-sieze compound on the cylinder head threads.

When the nut wrench -sometimes known as a Fugawe war club- arrives, try it but if there's any strong resistance... STOP. It's very easy to destroy the threaded exhaust stub and that will lead to some big dollar repairs.



Once the clamping pressure of the nut is released, it's fairly easy to remove the frozen exhaust nut. Some penetration lube applied into the saw cut helps.

When buying new exhaust nuts, be aware that the R65 uses a smaller exhaust nut specific to the R-model.

Also, I have a timing chain replacement photo-essay in the group's Photo Gallery that may be of assistance to you.

Monte

[EGRG]

Well the parts have arrived and am struggling not to jump like Steve Martin in The Jerk when he finally got the phonebook with his name on it. I just hate hearing improper noise
.

[azcycle]

Great bike, and good progress!