New Convert

[Fraggle]

Hi,

I've just outed a Triumph '77 TR7V (fed up with the physical & emotional strain of riding one - summed best when the Mrs went all emotional because the hands on the watch she got me for a 25th anniversary fell off with the vibration...) and used the money on a 1981 R65 - long story as to why that...

I've only been out a couple of times one her (I'm talking about the bike not the Mrs) (the bike has been christened "Jordan" by my son, because she's getting on a bit, is orange and has a couple of big knockers sticking out - UK residents will get that...)

Whilst initial impressions are fairly favorable, I hadn't expected it to be such a slug. It's just like riding a Honda 250N super dream, lovely and smooth, revs easily but just doesn't go anywhere , it's almost like the clutch is slipping (it's not.)

I'm not expecting it to be a fireblade, but it really struggles to hold anything more than 65-70 and if you can get it to 70 (after wringing it's neck and holding it to the red line in the gears) the  slightest rise will knock 20 mph off it & I'll be down in 3rd to keep her going. Induction roar is horrible & very intrusive. She seems really happy at 45-50 & will stay there all day

It has Boyer Bransden ignition (sticker under the seat) fitted by previous owner.

Are they really this gutless? fundamentally she seems OK - very smooth, doesn't smoke at all, as only done 21K miles, and ticks over steadily at about 1000 rpm, changes gear nicely with no clonks, rattles or fuss (the odd false neutral when you try and hustle the box)

What should I check? or is this normal? The comparison with the triumph is startling - I'd have expected it to hold a cruise at something better than 50 and produce more torque than it does - it also seems to require great fists of throttle to do anything.

[Bob_Roller]

Hi Fraggle, welcome to the forum .

The first thing I noticed in your post, is that the bike has an aftermarket electronic ignition .

Starting with the '81 model year, all BMW bikes had a factory electronic ignition .

What's the last 7 characters of the bikes VIN ?

I suspect that you may have  an earlier year bike than an '81 .

On level ground, the bike should easily accelerate to 80-85 mph (120-130 km/hr) .

I believe you have a few common issues to get sorted out .

First area I would look at, would be carburetion .

If the bike has been sitting unused for an extended period of time, you may want to disassemble the carbs and do a thorough cleaning and inspection, for age hardened rubber parts .

[nhmaf]

Yes, the symptoms you describe are common to several common problems related to lack of maintenance.   These bikes will do the ton or a tad over, and will pretty happily cruise all day, 1-up, at 80 MPH all day long, even with hills and small mountains - leastwise of the size you are going to find in the UK.

Like Bob says - please give us the year and/or VIN of your bike so we can tell the year as there were various changes and slight differences between the 1978-1985 model run.   It does sound like the first order of business is making sure that the carbs are in proper order - initial symptoms tend to indicate plugged jets and leaking carb diaphragms.

along with the aftermarket ignition, please tell us any other non-standard mods to the bike such as non standard air-box/"pod filters" etc. that you are aware of.
Mike

[montmil]

Besides a complete going through of the Bings, check the valve clearances. Also, the timing may be off so I'd suggest checking that, too.

Do submit the VIN number as I have an '81 R65 and the stock ignition is an electronic bean can. No points, so no need to convert to an aftermarket electronic ignition like the Boyer on my 1978 R100S.

As noted above, most likely gummed up carburetors. Do you have the "flat top" Bings or the "domed" tops?

Welcome aboard. Post up a photo when you can.

[Lucky_Lou]

Welcome Fraggle (Rock ?).... fraid our American cousins wont get the "Jordan" Jibe....funny.
My 79 was tested in the interest of science to check the final drive rpm ratio and topped out at just over 105 they are not called Cows  [smiley=cowsleep.gif] for there blistering acceleration but if you use the gears and stay in the higher bands they go quick enough.
Which part of the UK are you from? we have a cluster of owners here in Yorkshire.
As already suggested.Timing valve clearance and carbs... any debris in the carb bowls?
Lou

[nhmaf]

I only know a little bit about the page 3 girls, and the end of a long run in one of your major Murdock-owned newspapers.   Certainly an odd tradition that would never have lived past the 1960s over here!

Is she one of them?

[Lucky_Lou]

I only know a little bit about the page 3 girls, and the end of a long run in one of your major Murdock-owned newspapers.   Certainly an odd tradition that would never have lived past the 1960s over here!

Is she one of them?

Yes and does anything possible to stay in the news she has a disgraceful lifestyle IMHO.
 Murdock (an Aussie) has just thrown his editors to the wolves in the phone hacking case here yet he walks scot free? Rebbecca Brooks and Andrew Coulson Murdocks #2,s are both in court, hopefully the American lawyers will wake up to News Internationals tricks and bury him in the land of litigation.
Lou

[steve hawkins]

Are you sure its not one of them special german restricted R45's ...With a cylinder missing......

I have had mine up and over the ton in its cafer racer guise, and mine is loosely based on a 79........You got to hold it in gear and top the kast change up from 4 th to 5th is suprisingly late.

But mine will hold 80 all day even in its current bobber config.

Cheers

Rev light

[Lucky_Lou]

Are you sure its not one of them special german restricted R45's ...With a cylinder missing......Cheers

Rev light

Could be it has been restricted to 30hp they put discs in the air intakes i believe.
Lou

[Bob_Roller]

I believe the lower power 650's, had 26 mm carbs .

Easy enough to check, the numbers are stamped into the vertical flange on the front of the carb .

[montmil]

Can we just get back to Page Three now?

[Fraggle]

sorry - been away for a while.

Done a couple of hundred miles on her now including a trip around the M25 - it's doing a nadge over 5000rpm at 70 is that about right - can't see it doing a ton unles you go through the red line....

The clutch snatches a bit, presumably some kind of spine lubrication required (if the 22K mileage is genuine I suspect it's never been done) The haynes book of lies says I have to take the gearbox out once a year to do that - really? There's also a reference to a special grease gun to lubricate the swinging arm bearings - can anyone tell me what I need for that?

I'm having agrravation with my glasses at the moment - I can't get me head close enough to the numbers for the reading glasses to work & I managed to drop my phone when trying to take a picture and break it - all very "Carry on Motorcycling" I know....

Will post back soo

[Barry]

The haynes book of lies says I have to take the gearbox out once a year to do that - really?

If you remove the swinging arm bearing pins you can pull the gearbox back an inch or so to get access to the spline.  And once every 5 years is often enough for me.  Below a very good article on how to do it complete with pics.

There's also a reference to a special grease gun to lubricate the swinging arm bearings - can anyone tell me what I need for that?

Don't need a special gun just a conical tip that screws on the end of your gun. It will fit and seal in the matching conical end of the bearing pin. You might find the grease has gone hard in the bearings which will make it very difficult to pump grease in. It might also be the bearings are sealed.  Take a look when you do the spline lube.

[nhmaf]

No need to grease the transmission/clutch splines every year, but if there is no record of it having been done, you should do it.  I have a write up in the FAQ section with pictures (also shows what happens when the splines fail).

If properly tuned up, these bikes will do just over a ton at the 7200 mark, probably about 105.   I try to keep my driving record clean, but I do know that I've had her up at 95, a year or two back and she still had a fair bit left.

[Ed Miller]

105 is about all mine will do.  It's hard to find a road to safely find out, though.