Restoration completed - FINALLY

[Ivan]

Hi fellas
I actually joined this group about a year back, but haven't been very active. I have read the forums occassionally to keep in touch, but haven't done any posting.
To recap - I am from the Gold coast here in sunny australia.
Bought a 1983 R65 in Oct 2008 with a view to getting it up to scratch.
I actually started dismantling the bike in Nov 2008. Tank and guards were sent off for painting. The Transmission and suspension were dealt with by a guy on the coast who specializes in older bikes.
There were a whole lot of things I wanted to do on the bike.
So here's whats been done.
Bought a R80 tank off e-bay. Guy in Melbourne. Cost me 390/- A$.
The tank lining was coming off, so had it cleaned and relined - 250/-A$
Got myself an R90S fairing (to go with the tank). It came with some very basic fasteners. I scoured the net to see if there was anything there to adapt the fairing to the R65. Not much luck. So started from basics. I have taken quite a few pictures. May seem excessive, but I thought there may be others who could benefit.
Fitting the tank wasn't too much of a hassle. What was a hassle was cleaning the engine cases of all that black paint. Made more difficult as the engine was still in the frame. Anyway, did what I could. Thank God for Dremel and their wire brushes. Those wire brushes do'nt last too long and are about 11 dollars each. Picked up a whole lot in Japan at the 100 Yen store for 1 dollar each.

You can see the pics at

http://www.flickr.com/photos/marconioz

The bike is now awaiting a battery. The old one is being charged, and if the charge holds I will use that.Otherwise I will have to invest in a new battery.

Will keep you posted as soon as I press that Starter button

Cheers

Ivan

[dav]

Mate what can one say, stunning [smiley=thumbsup.gif], you have done a wonderful job.

Now get that battery in & ride ride ride.......

[Barry]

Nice job, I love the tank.  Always thought our tanks (except for the late ones) were the poor relation style wise compared to other airheads.

[Ivan]

Thanks Guys

Barry, my thoughts were the same re the tank.

A few more details. The seat was fine, but was showing its age. So when I visited the Bike show here on the coast, I ordered a sheepskin seat cover. Not only does it give the bike a great look, it covers up that lil gap between the new tank and the seat. I had to shave a bit of the fur off at the rear end to fasten the Tail cowling. I've lined the tool box with self adhesive foam rubber (Clarks rubber here in Australia have it.They also have the thin beading you can use to waterproof the Indicator lenses) to prevent rattling of contents. The Indicator switch was'nt doing the job, so dismantled and cleaned it, bent a couple of pieces back into shape and it now snicks into the detents.
The Foot brake pedal is Zinc coated steel and was already rusting. So there is is this great stuff that converts rust back to metal and and to top it off, when you apply it, it turns a nice hard black.
Replaced all bolts and nuts with Stainless. Except, on the advice of the guy selling the fastners, the Suspension and brake bolts. They are plated High tensile. The original Hydraulic front brake cable was shot. Had a new one made up for me here on the coast, Stainless steel braid included for 65 bucks. Got in new flasher lenses from the US. 8/bucks each. Also Fork leg reflectors. they are still available from MAX BMW in New York.

Will post some more pics taken while the work was in progress.

Till then Cheers

Ivan

[scottyintex]

Wow that is one beautiful cycle!!!!! You did a great job.........love the paint. Ya have to be proud of that.......ya did good!

[SCJJR65]

Wow, Ivan!    That is one SWEET looking R65!!!!  Well done!!   [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Justin B.]

Fantastic!!!  Kudos on your tank installation!  The "Smoke Silver" effect has always been one of my favorites - someday I'll get really boread and do one!  

[Semper Gumby]

Nice bike!

Wow!

[Mike V]

Ivan,
Spectacular work. I have a deep appreciation for your efforts as I am in the final stretch of an extended restoration myself on a 81 R65. Only waiting for heads and jugs to return. I would love to chat with you in regards to details sometime soon. Well done, impeccable work. You are to be commended for your quality of work.

Ride proud, ride safe.

Mike V. / San Diego
mvtv@cox.net

[montmil]

...I had to shave a bit of the fur off at the rear end ... Till then Cheers  Ivan

10x on all the comments regarding your sharp scooter.

But I gotta tell you, Ivan, I actually snorted coffee out my nose when I read your line. [smiley=ROTFLMAO.gif]
May be an Aussie thing but 'round these parts, it has an entirely different connotation. Nicely played!

Monte

[Ivan]

Thanks guys
Really appreciate that. I had put the project on the back burner for so long, never thought I would finally get it finished..

Hey Mike would love to exchange notes. Couldn't find any pictures at your link though.

This week-end will be putting in the battery and seeing if all that work was worth it. As soon as I bought the bike I had the complete transmission taken care of - all bearings etc. Front and shocks were serviced and the rears replaced with Konis. The Engine seems to be OK. Was going to change the exhaust system till I discovered beneath all the crud, it was a genuine staintune exhaust after all. So a lot of elbow grease brought them up nice and shiny. The carbs had the servicing kit installed (needles n jets) and balanced.

Will put up some more before/after pics this week-end.

Hey Monte, Like the way you Texans think.

Happy riding

Ivan

[azcycle]

Beautiful work, Ivan.

[Mike V]

Hey Mike would love to exchange notes. Couldn't find any pictures at your link though.

Ivan,
If you click on my Photobucket link in my signature at the bottom of my message, my individual folders are at the left of the Photobucket window. Just click on any of the individual folders. I need to develop a web site...another tentative project! Let me know if you continue to have trouble I can send you individual links for specific operations.

Still waiting to hear from Ted for my heads and Jugs...can't seem to get a hold of him. I sent them off right after Thanksgiving.

Again...beautiful bike Ivan!

[not-so-fast-ed]

Outstanding, Ivan!  Lovely scooter.

Your picture of the headlight chrome ring could have been taken of my bike when I got it.  My those Germans are proud of their parts, very expensive!

 

Best,
Ed

[Ivan]

Hi guys

Bike still hasn't been started. Not had the time. I also discovered, on close inspection that I have mounted the fairing a bit to far out in front. So I removed the clamps and made some new ones and the lower mounting points are now just behind the fork tubes.  (pictures will follow shortly). The paint on the clamps is drying and I'll probably fixt that tomorrow and start the bike. Have charged the battery and it seems to have a no-load volatage of about 13.4V, which is fine, except I gotta see what happens as soon as she is loaded. Thing about to morrow is - Sunday, so I won't be able to get another battery if this doesn't work.

Mike,
Managed to see your pics. They have been beautifully and methodically laid out ( did u work for Clymers maybe ?) And the bike seems to be coming along great.  I wish I had seen the pics when I was working  on mine. Especially the Brakes. Would have saved me a bit of time.

Hi Ed
Interesting story about that headlight rim. It could be bought here, but I was quoted 300 bucks. Finally I got it by getting a pal of mine in Philly to buy it on e-bay. I got the entire Headlight, rim, shell, glass, bulb AND the mounting yoke "Panel" for 40 Bucks.

Well, keeping my fingers crossed,

Catch ya guys tomorrow- hope fully with good news.

Cheers
ivan