Rob, can you please explain to me about 1st and 2nd generations (Briefly). I wish I had it home to check the numbers.
1st generation - model years 1978 - 1980 ~ points ignition, cast iron cylinders, smaller valves, flat top carburetors, round front brake fluid reservoir, hydraulic activated front brake switch - to name a few.
2nd generation - model years 1981 - 1984 ~ electronic ignition, Nikasil cylinders, larger valves, dome top carburetors, rectangular brake fluid reservoir, mechanical front brake switch.
3rd generation - model years 1985 until they quit ~ The year the twin-shock chassis went away across the full line (for the U.S.). Except for displacement, the R65, R80 and R100 standard motorcycles were identical. Benefits of these bikes - true tubeless wheels, single sided swingarm making wheel removal simple and eliminating a few weaknesses in the final drive configuration. A harder (chrome?) plating on the tranny input shaft, extending the interval of maintenance.
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Of course, all of these changes vary depending on where one lives. The US did not get the R65 until 1979.
And I think I remember reading that the R65 was still manufactured right up until the end in 1994, for certain non-US markets.
