My Introduction

[StanG]

Hello fellow R65 riders.  My name is Stan Cole, I live outside Baton Rouge, Louisiana and I am an R65 newbie.  A while back, I was in an IHOP parking lot with some fellow riders.  A stranger saw I was riding a BMW (R1200GS) and asked if I might be interested in a 1982 BMW R65 with 35k miles, which had not been started in over 5 years but was running before it was parked.  I already owned two bikes which my wife thinks is two too many.  I knew my wife didn't know one bike from the other but she can count, but for $500 I couldn't pass on the R65.  I told myself that I would buy the bike, get it running and sale it.  Well now that it is running I have learned how much fun it is to ride and I can't sale it.  I am in the process of making the following modifications; Progressive shocks and fork springs, Galfer or EBC HH bake pads (single Brembo front disc brake), and Metzeler Lasertec tires.  I hope the HH brake pads will significantly improve braking performance if not I would like to convert to dual front brakes but don't know where to find the parts, BWM-US did not have a conversion kit.  I am also thinking about sending the seat to Sargent for custom padding (other seat suppliers you would recommend?).  The stock seat is in good shape but I find it uncomfortable.  I would appreciate any input you have on these modifications and others you recommend.

This site has been a great source of information.  Newbie's like me are fortunate you folks are willing to share your knowledge and experiences.  I hope to have the opportunity to meet some of you in the future, maybe at the 2009 BMW-MOA rally in July.

This is my first attempt at a post and I tried to attach a picture.   I hope I didn't crash the site.

Regards,

[nhmaf]

Welcome aboard, StanG !

It is always good to hear of someone who has saved an R65 from the scrap-heap !  you even have a vintage Quicksilver fairing on her, too!

We're a fairly helpful bunch - or at least we try to be.  Other BMW owners consider us a bit of a weird cult, but I don't see why !

The progressive shocks and fork springs will definitely make any improvement on the ride & handling and make your R65 less prone to squatting
when you don't want it to.    If you don't have disk brake mounting holes on your right hand fork slider, it is certainly possible to locate right hand side fork leg from
an LS model (or any 81-84 R65 that had the second disk as an optional accessory) to fit one.   You may also find that if you get the brake pads sorted out, and possibly change the front brake line to a stainless steel braided line that you will get a significant increase in front end "bite" without adding another rotor.

Metz Lasertecs are the defacto standard for many airheads, but I've recently switched to Bridgestone BT45 tires on my R65LS and I'm really liking these over the Metzlers.
They are smooth, seem less squirrely on scarified pavement and are more confidence inspiring & sticky in the twisty backroads.  I don't know how well they'll last mileage-wise, compared to the Metz tires yet, but if you favor some twistier riding, I'd consider them as a very viable option.


Many of us are planning to go to the rally in July this year - look for our R65.ORG flag and a bunch of smiling faces !

[StanG]

nhmaf,

Thanks for the tip on the Bridgestone tires.  My right side fork slider does have the bolt holes to accomodate another disc.  I believe I would need the following parts:  disc, caliber, pads, splitter, 15 or 16mm piston   I am not sure how the right side disc is mounted and if other parts are required.  I assume the disc, caliber, and pads could be purchase from Cycle Brakes not sure where to purchase the splitter and piston.  Do you know where I can purchase a braided line for the front brake?

StanG

[Justin B.]

Check motobins.com for stainless lines at great prices.  I have a set from them on my '95 RT.

[aussie]

Welcome aboard Stan. For $500 I don't see how you could go wrong - I just don't know how people can be so lucky to be in the right place at the right time. Sheesh.

Let us know how the custom padding goes - and what they did - maybe a photo post the padding? I've picked up a new cover and have been toying with the idea of putting a gel insert into the seat ....or maybe just on top with a sheepskin over that. I likes me comfort and I seem to have a rather bony rear end that just ain't condusive to long trips without a number of stops.

Cheers
Tim

[trolle]

Welcome to the group. Some people are just lucky, it is a beatiful machine you have got there.

On the subject of dual frontbrakes: There are those who claim that the added braking power is too small to justify the added unsprung weight. Maybe you should try the steelbraided lines at first and see if that isn't sufficient. On the other hand, the dual setup is much more aestethically satisfying.

greetings from a stormy and cold north

[balibeemer]

Welcome! and congratulations on the R65. Just beware of strange senses of humor that pop up on this forum!

[drewboid]

Great bike!
Collecting BMWs does seem to be habit forming - maybe they just like to huddle together in the same garage. What is your third bike?
As to a second disk - my fiance finds that it makes a great difference in stopping ability. She has small hands and not a lot of strength and it has really made a difference for her. You may not need to change the master cylinder if you go to a second disk. Some find that the standard 12mm cylinder is adequate particularly with SS lines. If not you can always change the master cylinder later. Be aware that the carrier for the disk is not the same dimention as the typical airhead carrier of similar vintage. Right and left sides are identical. A splitter may not be necessary - if you want to you can connect a hose from the bleed hole on one side to the second caliper. It will take a little longer to bleed the brakes but you will have less hose.  Lots of variations on the theme.  YMMV

[nhmaf]

+1 with drew's suggestions.  I find that with the 15mm m/c on my LS and with stainless braided lines, I don't have a very progressive front brake - over the range of a fraction of an inch it goes from a gentle brushing of the rotor to pretty solidly locked up.   I think that stoppies are a definite possibility with her now - and I am not keen on doing those, especially on an antique airhead.   A smaller bore master cylinder may give you more workable lever travel for a more progressive feel even with 2 rotors and SS braided lines.   The standard rubber hose lines have some more "give" to them, so the smaller bore may or may not push enough juice to give you a solid lockup before the lever bottoms out - you can experiement and as drew mentions, always upgrade to a larger m/c if needed.

I think that the splitters are still available through motobins and capitalcycle.  On my LS it fits on a metal bracket under and behind the headlight,  You can probably modify or fabricate something fairly easily to hold it - only needs 1 bolt, really.    I'd try the SS braided line on the 1 rotor first and see how you like it - the nice thing about these older airheads is that they certainly are easier to customize !

Bob's BMW in Maryland can also order/build SS replacement lines for your bike.  They may not be as good about doing a custom line that doesn't match one of the factory/std dimensions, so if you go with them, you'll have to be working with a configuration that basically matches a factory-offered brake system configuration.   Some larger automotive supply centers can fabricate SS brake lines too, though you'll have to specify things carefully for them to build what you want.

[not-so-fast-ed]

Welcome aboard, Stan.

Lovely bike, and with all the accessories!  
The accessories alone are worth many times what you paid for the bike.

I'm another one with the Bridgestones, but I really don't have anything to compare them with.  I replaced the dry rotted tires mine came with the first month I had it.  I like them, and they do their job.

My single caliper Brembo improved after rebuilding it and flushing & bleeding the system afterwords.  It seems adequate now.

Drew,  That was a clever slice "what is your third bike?".  Stan, ignore him.  Just a little (very little) Airhead humor.

 

Enjoy the "Little Cow" Stan,

Ed

[Ed Miller]

Another good looking $500 R65!  Well, better looking than mine actually.  

Airhead Salvage may have the parts to go to dual disk; all the '81s had it and the LSs.  I don't know if you have Brembos or ATEs there.

Welcome aboard!

[StanG]

Ed, I didn't catch the humor about my third bike, I just assumed Drew didn't know that a Fatboy was a Harley.  The Harley was my first purchase and seemed adequate until I went on a ride with some BMW riders to Big Bend National park.  I got tried of worrying about dragging the floor boards so I purchased the 1200GS.  I was planning on making the 2009 MOA rally my first long ride on the R65 but maybe the group would rather see the Fatboy??  My son has taken possession of the Fatboy and loves it.

The conversion from Harley to BMW continues to provide tons of fodder for the 13 or so folks that I have been riding with since I took up the hobby in 2003.  Initially the breakdown was 9 Harleys, 3 BMWs, 1 Goldwing.  The current count is 6 Harleys, 5 BMWs, 1 Goldwing, 1Triumph.  I anticipate more will come over from the dark side with time.

Again I want to thank the gang for the feedback I have received on brakes and other issues.  I am thinking about an HID conversion kit but will post a thread on the Tech forum.

I will go ahead and apologize for the numerous spelling and grammar errors I will make in the future.  English was never a strength that is why I became an engineer.

[drewboid]

Stan, my apologies, I got so hung up looking at the picture I didn't read the tag line. Put my foot in my mouth - it was not meant as Harley bashing.

I've never tried the HID lighting but an added set of driving or fog lights will go a long way in making you more visible. Air horns also help to wake up sleeping cagers.

[not-so-fast-ed]

Sure, Drew....


Try a search on HID.  We've had some experience with the conversion on the forum.

Best,
Ed

[StanG]

Drew, no apologies would be required even if you intented to bash Harleys.  Bashing the other brands is all part of the fun.