Another introduction

[motoboy66]

Morning/afternoon/evening..

Just wanted to say a big hello to you chaps. I've been working on a total basket case 81 R65 for four years and finally got her on the road. Most of the reason for the long time scale was the money involved and having to do everything in my domestic garage that didn't so much as have a light let alone plug sockets.

Engine looked like it had been dragged out of the swamp and had one seized and badly scored cylinder and the rest of the parts were showing 100000 miles pretty badly.

It's in the style of a cafe/rat racer and it was a deliberate attempt not to make it too shiny. Couple of preliminary photos attached and she will likely evolve from this point. Just glad she's now on the road.

I've garnered information from a few pretty well known BMW sources on the web when i've been left scratching my head including here but never got around to actually signing up anywhere. So thanks to all who have posted useful information. Hoping I can offer my own insight where appropriate!

And If you think the bike looks s**t - fair comment. I'll be happy to pick holes in your bikes styling too  

[montmil]

Welcome aboard, Craig. We're all pretty much friendly fire here abouts so no need to step off on the wrong foot. It's a big church as Aussie Tony says.

Thanks for the photos. Helps keep the members calm. We love photos!

[marcmax]

Welcome Craig. +1 to what Monte said about friendly folks here. Some of us (myself included) are partial to the cafe/brat look. Others prefer the more traditional style. One thing we all have in common is a fondness for these little rubber cows. Plus the fact that you are resurrecting one from a well use state gives you a step up in my book.

Keep the photos coming!

[AJB]

If you've brought it back from the brink, then I think you're allowed to put your own twist on things!

Welcome on board - whereabouts in the country are you?

[thrang]

Welcome to the home of the ever so slightly insane Craig, and thanks for the photo's we residents get a little restless when we don't get regular photos.
As to your bike, I'm very much in camp of better to see her running and on the road than languishing in that 'swamp' or where ever she came from. It's your bike and if you like how she looks then who cares what anyone else thinks.
In my case it would be hypocritical if I did, because although mine is pretty near a factory spec LS today, when I think about how she has looked at various points during the near 30 years I've owned her, who am I to criticise.  

[motoboy66]

Ah well I appreciate the positive comments and overall friendliness!

My ex-wife has been kind enough to find a couple of photos of how it was when i first picked it up - unfortunately no engine close up. I suspect this was pretty close to never being on the road again - the previous owner had it in boxes for six years prior to my purchase (and subsequent horror on finding most of box contents rotten beyond saving). Now if I can just get the damn idle mixture right..

[motoboy66]

Oh AJB, Based in deepest South West London on the Surrrey border.

[wilcom]

I suspect this was pretty close to never being on the road again  

That one was a goner...... You deserve a 20 minute standing ovation.  

[thrang]

Christ, well done for pulling her back from that condition because most would have just walked away and sent her to the great scrapper in the sky.

[motoboy66]

Thanks, its great when people can appreciate just how much work goes into this kind of thing. I thought I would be able to chuck it together and sort it while i ride it but it turned into a nut and bolt restoration from the crankshaft up.

Did I mention the dismantler had removed the block from the frame by sawing through the mounting studs due to being seized solid inside the block? That took me months alone and many near attempts of giving up entirely before working out how to get the damn things out!

I probably deserve to join your ranks of insanity just for attempting to get it on the road again!.

I love a bike with a bit of soul. And this thing has loads, I'm loving it already.

[thrang]

Keep us updated on how your bike is doing Craig and if you have any problems or issues don't be worried about asking for information, because the wealth and depth of knowledge that some of the members have is astonishing and I doubt there's a problem with an R65 that someone has not run into and solved. As someone once said there is no such thing a stupid question, just stupid people who wont ask questions.

[motoboy66]

For those interested I have started a thread in the restoration logs with a couple of choice photos and will post more as and when the baby isn't screaming at me.