Hello, from Bali

[balibeemer]

Hello fellow AirheadsI live on the island of Bali, and for the past 12 years have been riding a fully resored R 25/2 (1952) with a Steib LS200 sidecar LH side mounting. Got rid of the outfit in January and managed to pick up a 1986 (April) R 65 - and I love this "new bike". It was owned by a local gentleman before me and I had to helicoil the left hand plug thread as it was held in with teflon tape and epoxy glue. Then the same applied to the right hand cylinder mounting bolts. I am now in the process of doing a full re-wire on the bike and have just spent close to 1000 euros on replacement parts  - ordered from Germany as there are NO Beemer dealers here. I will post some pics of the completed job. Fortunatey, I have managed to get hold of the official BMW "ETK" cd's which is a very comprehensive parts manual so if anyone wants info, e mail me.

[SCJJR65]

Welcome aboard, BaliBeemer!  Hope you enjoy visiting our little community of R65 nuts!  We're glad to have you here.  It's wonderful to hear about experiences of BMW owners from exotic locales like Bali.

Man, it's a shame that you had to sell your /2 rig to get your R65.   I've been wanting to get something like a /2 to have in the stable and care for, and take out for spins on warm weekend afternoons or summer evenings to get ice cream!   I always wanted to find a 1966 R27 single (the last year it was made, I believe) as in the pic below, and restore it to showroom condition.  I've even toyed with the idea of converting my 1984 R65 to a sidecar rig, which is probably a more realistic goal for me at this point.  But you never know!  

Keep us post with your "rehab" of your bike.  (And we love to look at pics, so try and take some of your repairs as you make them and share them with us.  There are several folks who know a great deal about the mechanics of the R65 that are regulars here, so if you have a question or get stumped during your restoration process, let us know, OK?  

[balibeemer]

The R 25/2 with a sidecar was a very interesting (slow) ride but here in Bali, the other 2 wheeler riders( I won't call them bikers), are total maniacs and I did actually overtake a few cars occasionally (normally parked or broken down). AND, I made about a $5k profit after selling the R 25 and buying the R 65. Anyway, the transaction also allowed me to join this forum!

[jinx]

I've had the exquisit pleasure of visiting Bali for an extended 2 week stay and I can only say that it can be one of the more peaceful places on the planet.  Welcome to the forum and ask questions, if you are going to need any advice, this would be the place to get it.
I can't imagine keeping things from rusting in the humid environment of SE Asia, but your r65 should offer you solid "transport" from one end of the isle to the other,  from Uluwatu to Ubud would be an afternoon of pure joy of riding pleasure.  Ugh, now I want to go there and sit on the beach.

be well-
jinx

[not-so-fast-ed]

Welcome aboard Balibeemer.  I too have had the pleasure of owning an R25.  I rode mine all over Germany in the early/mid 60's, while I was in the Air Force.  My current ride is a May 1986 R65 and it is quite an improvement.
Enjoy and send pictures.  
This conglomeration of "Airheads" can answer most of your questions about the R65.  They've been a tremendous help to me since I acquired my "Mono" the first part of December.
Best,
Ed  
 

[mikeyd3]

Hey Balibeemer~ that is one ofthe prettiest sidecars Ive ever seen. best of luck with your new bike. Welcome aboard! Mike

[Bob_Roller]

Welcome aboard !

Post some pictures of your rides, as the island of Bali has to be quite spectactular, a tropical paradise .

I especially like to see natural greenery, as here in the desert areas of the southwestern US, all we have is varying shades of brown .

I've seen a few single cylinder BMW bikes in showroom condition up for auction on eBay, sellers location is Jakarta .