Greetings

[k_enn]

New to the board, but a long time R65 owner.  

I have a 1982 R65.  I am the first and only owner of the bike.  It is also my first and only bike.  I was a little concerned that I might be biting off more than I could chew starting on a 650cc, but I did not want to buy a small bike only to trade up after a year or so.  No regrets.  The R65 was light enough that handling it as a newbie (I don't think that word existed back then) was no problem.  

My R65 has also proven to be enough bike to do a bit of one-up touring.  I have take several trips from New Jersey to the Blue Ridge Parkway and on down to the Smokies.  Great ride.  The R65 handled well on the mountain roads, and had enough space to carry camping gear plus clothing for a week's trip.  I have also taken a trip from New Jersey to Maine, and then over to Nova Scotia, and then through New Brusnwick and parts of Quebec.  Other "tours" have include the Delaware-Maryland-Virgina (DelMarVa) penninsula, a U.S. Civil War battlefield tour trip, several Vermont/New Hampshire fall foliage trips, and a trip to Ottowa/Niagra Falls.  My R65 has never let me down on any of the trips.  

For a while, I did not ride it alot.  Now, I use it as a daily rider to commute to work whenever the weather permits.  

Lest you think I am all praise --- I actually found this board while looking to find a source for an after-market touring seat.  The stock saddle is a real butt-killer on those high mileage days.  

I thank you folks for this board.  I have already gotten a lot of information and tips on the bike that are helpful, even for an old guy like me.

k_enn

[montmil]

Welcome to the herd. Lots of good info here abouts and we're all friendly fire. You may want to try the "search" feature for touring seat info... or give it a minute or two and someone is likely to jump in.

Monte

[Ivan]

Hi Ke_nn  and welcome to the clan

I registered on this board awhile back, but have'nt been posting much. I have been a regular reader of the board though.
And check my mail daily for the latest postings.
My 1983 R65 is undergoing a complete change.
I bought a r90 tank on e-bay here in Australia (I live on the gold coast) and also discovered that there is a company here making replica fairings of the r90. so got one of those. Sent off all available paintable parts to the painters and the guy (an english guy actually) did a superb job replicating the silver smoke paint scheme including the gold pinstripes. The rest of the bike is up on chocks and I'm doing the sandblasting and painting at home of the little pieces and the frame. Thank god for the Dremmel tool and itls nifty attachments. (it was gonna cost a whole lot to have the painter do the whole bike - main cost being taking the engine out etc).
Had to fabricate new front turn signals as they are fairing mounted. Luckilly managed to get some old Suzuki metal stalks whose diameter fits the exisiting turn signals perfectly. So did a bit of work on the ends and they take the original signals just fine.. I was fortunate to have secured off e-bay a spare Headlinght/instrument mounting sub-frame.The fairing came with the front opening a bit larger than the 7" headlight so there is a bit of room which would'nt look too good sealed off with rubber or some such stuff.So I am now in the process of getting a clear perspex, slightly domed cover to fit the opening and allow the standard light behind. Unable to fit a larger headlight as the original brackets wont fit it.
Had the wheels sandblsated and painted. Am in the process of getting rid of the black engine paint which has been badly pitted. So if I can get it all off I will have the engine fully silver. Its a bugger of a job, but paint stripper seems to do the job of loosening the paint. Scraping it all off is another thing entirely. The instrument pod lower half had been damaged in some previous crash. So have a guy rebuilding that one.
I have taken pics of various stages of the restoration, and as soon as I get some time I will post a few here.

Thats all for now.

I ca'nt thank you guys enough cos I really have benefitted from all the various posts here.

Will update this info soon

Cheers

Ivan

[not-so-fast-ed]

Welcome k_enn, and welcome back Ivan.
Post pictures when you can.  We all like to see your progress and hear your stories.

 

Ed