Total Noob

[bananapanties]

I think it's pretty classy.

Yeah, I'm not sure what I'll do about props...I've always been something of a Mercedes fan myself, so the whole BMW thing is kinda...ewie.  My husband thinks I should get the props tattoo already...jeez....

Se we'll see.

[Melena]

Very purdy indeed!  Sweet.   8-)

There may really be more miles on it than the odometer tells, though.  These are known for the odos not working.  I know mine is reading only about 1/2 the miles and has been doing that since I got it.  That certainly doesn't mean it's not worth getting though.  Just make sure to check all fluids and maybe do a service on it so you know where you're starting.

Let us know how your MSF course goes.  I know I didn't pass the first time (missed by 1 point), and I was glad to be able to go through the rider part again as I learned a whole lot more.   I've been riding for 5 years now and I love it.

Have fun!

[Ed Miller]

Yup, looks good !
If it weren't for the yellowing rondels, most folks would never know the age of the bike !    Maybe you'll just polish it up and put some shiny crisp new propellers on it
and ride it that way for a while !

Like pearls and a black dress, it is a classic look that never goes out of style.

I saw those roundels!  I just KNEW that was the proper color!  Man, I screwed up.

At least I saved my yellow ones and stuck them to the cover of my log book.  Now I have to live with the blue and whatever ones that the modern BMWs have.  

Oh, and welcome aboard with yet another '81 R65!

[not-so-fast-ed]

Welcome aboard Annie.
Nice classic looking bike!
If you bought it from your stepdad you at least have a good idea what's been done to the bike & what it may still need.  Big plus!
Great idea to take the MSF course.  It was very helpful to me as a (more mature) returnee to two wheels.
Keep us posted.
Best,
(yet another)  Ed

[Allred]

Kudos from another black & pinstripes R65 owner!  I have enjoyed mine very much, only difference I see in yours compared to my Chica-tita, is you have the side cases.  I already have those on my "touring" beemer, so I can leave the R65 un-encumbered for pure motorcycling day rides.  

[bananapanties]

Thanks a lot, guys and gals!  Now I know I'm doing the right thing.

Us NorCal folks should get together sometime....when I have some more experience under my belt.

I appreciate all the support and responses.

Annie

[Melena]

NorCal?  You from Northern California?  Cool!   8-)   I live in Sonoma County.  Where are you located?  R65 Guy lives in SF, I think.  Not too many from around here, but it would be fun to gather somewhere some Sunday.  

[bananapanties]

Melena--Modesto.  I've never killed anybody, of which I'm neither proud nor ashamed.  We go through your town on our way to my husband's family's place up the coast.  Maybe Yosemite or up the coast sometime?

Annie

[suecanada]

Welcome aboard Annie!!! You will certainly come to love all your new brothers and sisters here I am sure as they are a grand bunch!!

So if you and Melena get together with the western R65 riders you just may challenge  us eastern forum members to "the most R65.org members in one place" We met for the first time last summer in Ferguson NC and waved our new flag that Aïda had made for us!!  What was it...8 or 9 of us at the Gathering of the Clans Airhead rally? We actually gained a member or two while there!!

Now with Ed our new member who is also a MSF coach and you Annie as our 5th or 6th woman (where's Arla) onboard, we are "cookin' with gas"!

[Altritter]

nhmaf wrote: << If it weren't for the yellowing rondels, most folks would never know the age of the bike ! >>

What impressed me even more than the tank roundels (couldn't see the rear seat cowling roundel because of camera angle) were the coppertone side case roundels. My black 1981's roundels are a nice beige color, nowhere near as dark as yours. Also, the bike did not have cases on it when I purchased it, so I bought mounting frames and Touring Cases from Bob's. I'm envious; I greatly prefer the roundels on your cases over the block-letter "BMW" on each of mine.

Thanks for sharing the photos. I feel a bit guilty that I haven't yet set up my computer to post an avatar and photos, despite my having participated in this group for a considerable period. (Early winter of 2007, I think.)

I'm struck by the number of Avus Black 1981s owned by members of this forum. I haven't been keeping count, but I sense that Avus might be the predominant color for that year, at least in our group. I venture a SWAG (Aussie members—that term has a different meaning from yours.   ) that we must have a half dozen or more Avus 1981s among our membership.

[aussie]

Hi Annie

Seems only fair to welcome you as you did the same to me! I too have a 'classic black' bike with white pinstripes. What type of panniers are they? Are they Krausers? I have the BMW ones. I'm thinking about breaking down and posting a picture of mine even before I have the fairing mounted. Should have really done it today, but had to go into work - story of my life....

That snorkel that I'm rigging up so that I can ride across the pond however is almost 25% complete  ....

Take care
aus

[msbuck]

Better late than never!   [size=18]ANNIE![/size]

Glad to see another female here on the forum.  Gotta keep the perspective right for all these macho mentalities around here.     Really, this is a great group of guys and gals and I think you'll enjoy all the great info and banter that happens here.  

I have a black 1984 R65 and they are definite lookers!  You can do all kinds of things to make it your own and you'll probably change it up as time goes along as well.  I've gone from cafe racer type to naked, to somewhere in between.  I've loved all the different set-ups and just settle on what works for me at the time.  

It'd be great for you west coast folks to have a gathering and then we can send the flag along to get more signatures!  You probably have a longer riding season than many of us, although I can usually ride just about all year long here in the south.  

Welcome and have fun!