Hi GuysMechanic in London?

[Gallinazorey]

Hi Guys, new kid on the block here. I just bought my first ever 1979 BMW R65 (my first motorcycle ever as a matter of fact) and its a dream come true. This questions has probably been posted 100x before but I cannot find it:

Does anybody know of a good Boxer mechanic in London? I understand they are hard to find. Not that I need it now but I would like to know for when I do.

Thanks guys

Eric

[Spinachpie]

Hi Eric,

Congrats on your purchase. Can't say I know any mechanics in London, but forums are a great place to start networking. How is the bike running? Does it need a mechanic now?

Cheers,
Jeff

[Gallinazorey]

Hi Jeff,

Indeed, I am thrilled to have found this forrum!   It needs no mechanic now. As a matter of fact I bought it from an eldery gentleman who is getting rid of some of his collection bikes because he is getting old. He has a spectacular 1929 BMW bike! The one I bought looks bery good but I am preparing for the furure. I dont want to take it to any old mechanic.
Do you guys ever do short trips?

Eric

[Spinachpie]

wow! Get on that cherry and ride ride ride! You even have dual discs on there! Cool bike good sir.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

That is a beautiful bike, indeed!

Motobins offers a forum that is U.K. based: http://www.motobins.com/yabbse/index.php
They are quite friendly toward R65s.


I think that the most successful owners of these machines (airhead BMW's in general) are the ones that are ready and willing to do their own work - even if that means learning...
I bought my R65 new back in the day with the plan to keep it a long time and learn as I go.  I never dreamed there would be a day when BMW dealer service departments would turn their backs on us, but they do.

What you want, is called (at least here in the States) an "airhead friendly" dealer.


Yes, some people take long trips on their R65.  I think most of it comes down to the condition of the seat on the bike, and the seat on your body.  They both get old.  As a person with a skinny (51 Y.O.) bum, I think not-so-skinny might be an advantage, in this respect!


Welcome!

[Bob_Roller]

Sweet looking bike !!!!

These bikes are for the most part 'user friendly' when it comes to performing maintenance on them.

If you can locate a local club or forum for 'airhead' bikes, probably your best source of information on gaining some mechanical experience.  

We have a few members here that have gone on extensive trips with their R65's, but the seat is a big deciding factor, as the stock seats were not that comfortable for long trips, even when they were new.

[steve hawkins]

Looks like a bike I saw on ebay recently!

I am a uk resident, I have a couple of bmw mechanics but they are out of london.

Defazio in Frome and Andrew Sexton in Warwickshire.

I would say, though, that for normal servicing, have a go yourself.

Get a Haines manual and give it a go.

They are not difficult.

As mentioned above, look to Motobins forum for more local info.

Also look to Motorworks, Motorbins and James Sherlock for mail order spares and service kits.

Nice bike, my 1979 R65 was that colour once...

Steve H

[Ash]

Was watching that bike on eBay before someone put on offer in and it disappeared!

Nevermind though - managed to find my own.

Seems OK - picked it up and rode it 80 miles home last night (also live in London!) - would like it checked out though, any recommendations of anyone local to London who knows about these...

Cheers, Ash

[seniorchiefSS]

I see both of you scored standard r65's with dual disc's up front. mine is a 81 with dual brembo's but the frame number is a ls. in the states i haven't seen a lot with dual's other than  the ls models. are yours brembo or ate brakes? nice bikes either way.

[Gallinazorey]

Hi Ash,

yes I admit it! it was me who bought the bike from ebay. As in your case, the owner clearly stated "I am advertising the bike elsewere so I keep the right to remove it any time..." that did it for me. When people say that it usually is better to arrange it behind the scenes before someone else does, as you did yourself and rightly so! Congratulations on your purhcase. Seeing we both live in London how about we take them for a spin some time? I am leaving tomorrow for holidays for a month but drop me a PM and we can meet  . I will check this site from time to time though  

Thanks for all the tips on working on it myself. I have bought a manual and will certainly start trying the easy stuff. Problem is I usually have two left hands for this stuff but will keep you posted!

[Ash]

Sounds like a plan - enjoy your holidays!  8-)

[thrang]

Hiya  from the Lake District Eric.

You might try giving Motorworks (http://www.motorworks.co.uk) in Huddersfield a ring. They are generally helpful so long as you ask while ordering some parts.

Another place to try is your local MAG ( http://www.mag-uk.org  Motorcycle Action Group) meeting, there are a few groups round London and someone should be able to help you out or point you in the right direction. Also the BMW owners club have a London section (http://www.bmw-club.org.uk/home.html)

But why not have a go yourself? The routine servicing is very straight forwards. And if an idiot like me can keep a boxer on the road, then anyone can because I was a mechanical fu*kwit when I got my first R65.

Cheers
Tony

[BooG]

This info is from Aug 05 BMW club journal, but might be worth a look: Jap and german. 102 Druid ST, London SE1 2HQ. 020 7237 2299. The other London based info is for ; "Neil" based in SW London. 020 8546 2600. Good luck!
I got my R65 about 3 years ago and knew nothing about what I was buying. Liked the look of it. I have been doing all my own servicing, and haven't encountered anything that has been beyond me yet. The manuals, forums, and Snowbums site usually have all the info you need. Let me know if any of those guys are operating. I'm London based as well.

[BooG]

As well...
BMW (Bob Porecha)
UK’s longest established Independent BMW Twins. Spares, repairs, service and restoration
0208 659 8860 / 0208 659 9198 (fax)
bob@porecha.fslife.co.uk