What to do with my "parts" bike...???

[Spicy_McHaggis]

Fellers,

Last weekend I bought a 1984 R65 that came with a parts bike, a 1982 R65.  Some items from the parts bike were scavenged to get the '84 running, and I am left with what you see in the pictures below.  The engine runs well, the tranny is gone (actually on the '84), and what is there is in good condition.  Frame is solid.

Part of me wants to keep it as is for parts if needed for the '84.  But that's no fun...and the project guy in me says I need to do some sort of conversion...a project...something unusual or different for an R65.

I'm thinking some sort of an Adventure touring motorcycle.  Maybe a custom high-exhaust.  Different wheels (spoked?  more standard sizes for dual-sport tires?).  A different front end maybe?

It wouldn't be driven on anything rougher than dirt roads.

I'm talking about a long term (2-4 year long) project.  Since I am currently stationed in Juneau, Alaska - parts are hard to come by, and expensive as hell to ship, so I'll spend this time doing the muscle work (sanding and painting, rebuilding what I can, etc) and planning.

So...any thoughts on what YOU would do?  I'm not much into the cafe thing.  And I know up front the limitations of the R65 as an adventure dual-sport.  I'm kinda thinking of a partial GS conversion.

What direction would you go?

Thanks!
Spicy

[nhmaf]

We have had some members of the forum (and haven't heard from in quite a long time) build up some interesting
GS-style bikes from otherwise "stock" R65s (plus many other donor parts).   One thing that has helped some people is
that there actually was an R65 GS model sold in Germany and for certain european military uses.   some folks have gotten
even more creative.   Here are a couple threads that should give you plenty of reading material and ideas/links to other sites:
http://suraklyn.com/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1173030495/6#6

very nice "dirt" oriented R65 custom build in the above thread, and
sort of a cross between a GS and a "Super-Motard" style bike, I guess, built by member Baffo over in  Europe in this one:
http://suraklyn.com/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1164012590/0#0

Enjoy

[Spicy_McHaggis]

Cool...thanks!!!

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I am really enjoying my G/S solo seat and rack conversion.


click for more pictures


Sorry I don't have pictures of the final product.  It has only been completed for a couple of weeks, and I have been goofing off...

I bought the seat/rack from S. Meyer in Germany.  It is a reproduction, and so far it is way more comfortable than the original seat that it replaced.

I also once, a long time ago, had a GS front fender that I could swap whenever the mood struck.  Unfortunately, I sold it several years ago.  It had custom made brackets to bolt directly to the lower triple clamp.

I have pretended my R65 is a G/S for a long time.  Even with the low bars...




And with that rectangular master cylinder, the brush guards will mount with much less effort than mine, with the round M/C.

[Jon_P]

being one of the resident crazies who cuts up his beloved 65 i would cheer you on to what ever you can dream up. there are countless possiblies.

to bad your so far away i would buy that from ya in a heart beat. i am looking for such a parts bike to complete my other cray frame i am building.

the only thing i would warn is be careful when installing a different front end because it does change the trail and drive line angles.

[Semper Gumby]

I vote Dual Sport.  Get a R80 GS front end with the 21 inch wheel and go from there.  Bridgestone makes some decent 50/50 tires that should work with the R65 rear end.  I would go with a little longer rear shock but that would be me.  Can't leave well enough alone.  At the moment I do not need an R65GS as I have the BSA Firebird with street/dirt tires on it.  The electronic ignition will arrive in a week or two and then we will see what happens....  

[MrRiden]

While yr ponderin' what to do with the spare I'll just point out a little club down this way that might give you some ideas. Got some parts in the back of the garage myself I keep meanin' to put together for one of their party's.
rich
http://www.scta-bni.org/

[Semper Gumby]

Hey Rich wouldn't "fastest cow" be an oxymoron?  

[Spicy_McHaggis]

Thanks for the input, fellers...!

I'm definitely going to go for a "G/S" style.  Here in Juneau I don't have easy (aka cheap) access to parts like front ends, etc...so I'll have to wait till I transfer back to the lower 48 for that.  But for now...it's a nice, easy, slow buildup.