New member to the ranks

[MitchellR]

Hi guys,
I'm a new member to this site but I've been lurking and learning here for quite a while.  I bought my R65 in June 2011.  It's an 85 twin shock model and it was a little rough around the edges when I got it.  Apart from leaky carbs though, I've had no mechanical problems with it at all.  I learnt my oil change technique (and a lot about the right oil to use, but let's not go there) from you all here on this forum. My friends with their new big bore cruisers don't get it but I have a love/hate relationship with the old girl - after a day of riding twisties I'm quite in love, but after long highway runs not so much. Still, she's a keeper. Not much to look at but all mine.

[tvrla]

Welcome aboard  MER65! Looks like you got a nice one!

You might want to source a taller final drive for those longer journeys. I've heard the 32/10 (3.20) final drive is a good all-around ratio for these bikes. If you change the drive, remember you'll also need to change the speedometer or it'll be way off!

[Burt]

Not much to look at but all mine.

That's the spirit.  Could be an '84?

[montmil]

Glad to have you aboard, MER65. Join in the conversations. There are several Aussies here.

[MitchellR]

Burt, build date of January '85, they went to mono shocks later that year I think.
Wirespokes, I did consider a taller final drive at one stage but various discussions on this forum got me thinking I might be over-capitalising, and over-thinking it.  It will run all day at (or slightly above) the highway speed limit between 5000-5500rpm, which makes overtaking an exercise in forward planning but otherwise keeps my licence intact.
Montmil, for sure I'll join in the conversations.  It was you bunch that convinced me I should buy an R65 in the first place.

[montmil]

...
Montmil, for sure I'll join in the conversations.  It was you bunch that convinced me I should buy an R65 in the first place.

Chaos, panic and disorder... My work is finally paying off. [smiley=whistling.gif]

[EGRG]

Welcome aboard!! As with all machines one must get to know the strengths and limitations. Adapt and enjoy.
I agree with wirespokes. Check your final drive ratio. My Ls had a 32/9 3.55 ratio that felt a little revved ad 70 mph.
I since changed the final drive to a 37/11 3.36 and could not be happier. Speedometer is 4 mph off but not really a problem as i round it out to 5 mph. Much of the discomfort of riding the R65 at highway speeds is the wind, but a good mesh jacket and full face helmet will help a great deal.
Anybody can own a new bike and have it serviced at the dealer.
Airhead riders are a breed apart. Theres nothing as hearing the little boxer rumbling as it speeds down going into a town. Besides most of the time I end up helping the cruiser chaps when their bikes fail. My LS keeps a "Rolling and a Tumbling". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuXcGHjBeac
Well the LS does the rolling, I got to do the tumbling.  :-?

Just remember that if the leak stops.... it's time to add more oil.

[tvrla]

Yeah, my LS had the 3.56 initially, which I changed to a 3.36. It's still a little low, but much better.

[Burt]

Build date of January '85 is the same as mine.  Quite possibly they came out on the same boat from Deutschland.  I purchased mine from Wackers and still remember being proud as punch starting it outside the shop.  

[MitchellR]

Just remember that if the leak stops.... it's time to add more oil.

Double Zero, funny you should say that.  I always check the oil levels before a ride. It hardly uses any oil and doesn't smoke at all but there is always a very small oil leak. i.e about 1/2 teaspoon of oil underneath it in the morning after a ride.  Seems to me that it's nothing too serious but what's "normal"?   One day I'll get around to putting in new gaskets and seals all around.  My dad always told me mechanical problems rarely fix themselves. Should I move this up on the priority list?

[montmil]

... there is always a very small oil leak. i.e about 1/2 teaspoon of oil underneath it in the morning after a ride.  Seems to me that it's nothing too serious but what's "normal"?

Things to eye-ball regarding your small oil spotting:

Neutral switch - Screws into the bottom of the transmission. A notorious leaker as the OEM is made from plastic and aluminum. Motobins sells an Italian all-metal repop that I use.

Oil Pressure Switch - Left-side crankcase. Leaking? Easy replacement.

Push Rod Tube Seals - About a 3 spanner chore if you're tool handy. Heads and piston/cylinders must be removed, several new gaskets, a few liters of beer...

Park the bike on the centerstand. A leak may actually disappear!

[Matt Chapter]

Neutral switch - Screws into the bottom of the transmission. A notorious leaker as the OEM is made from plastic and aluminum. Motobins sells an Italian all-metal repop that I use.

True story.  I did the fluid change as usual around 45000 miles, developed a leak or two.  Had the R65 in for fork seals later, had the mechanic glance at it, he suggested new crush washers.  Just did the 50000 fluid swap, new crush washers, cured a couple leaks, but the big one appears to still be there, and to be the neutral switch.

Gear oil is some slippery s*&^!  I've almost knocked myself, the bike, and the wife's car over getting out of the garage when my foot gets in it.