I'm new I just look old

[Bob_W]

I rode an R65 for about 200,000 miles before anybody got around to telling me it was not a highway machine.
My wife, Gale, decided she wanted a sidecar to ride and the old 65 came out of a 10 year storage. It's in the back of the truck now and I hope to start restoration soon.
I have read many posts on the forum, and joined some time back, but I don't remember.
I am currently located on the GA coast, but also have a home near Cherohala in Tenn.
Bob

[Bob_Roller]

Welcome Bob .

What year bike do you have ?

[Ed Miller]

I love hearing about the high mileage bikes!  

[scottyintex]

Hey .....welcome to the clan. I put a sidecar on my R65 about 4 years back and love it..... send some pictures as you restore it.

[Bob_W]

It's an 86. Scotty I'll probably ask a lot of questions as I try to mount the hack
Thanks

Bob

[montmil]

Welcome, "New looking old guy" Bob. [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]

Lots of good things happening on this site so jump in and share your experiences and knowledge. Anyone with 200K miles on an R65 is someone I'd really listen to.

Don't be a stranger. Post up some photos of your scoot.

Monte

[nhmaf]

Bob W - if your R65 is a 1986 model it must be the monolever frame bike (same as the R80 that year) correct?

Oh, and welcome aboard!

[Bob_W]

Yes it is a monoshock and that may be a problem with a hack I realize.

[nhmaf]

It can be done - Dauntless Motors sells sidecar subframes for monolever airheads and I've seen them with sidecars mounted.   They are less than ideal as the side-loading the sidecar exerts on the axles causes greater wear on the wheel bearings on the monolever bikes.  The monolever bikes also use ball bearings in the rear axle instead of the tapered roller bearings that the  -> 1984 bikes used, the roller bearings are much better at handling the sideloading forces (and also support the wheel hub from both sides).   But, if you are willing to just check your wheels & bearings more frequently and expect to replace the wheel bearings every other tire change or so, it is otherwise feasible to do with the monolever airheads, or even the mono-oilheads.   The fellas at Dauntless are quite experienced with this - there are also some guys in PA that are quite knowledgeable in these areas.

[suecanada]

It sounds fabulous that your wife Gale wants to ride in a sidecar!! You are q very lucky man! I will be following your progress with the hack. Any idea which one you will use or does Dauntless Motors limit the choice?

I'd be interested in a sidecar someday or sooner that would serve as my luggage carrier and pop-up tent platform! I have no one who wants to go with me sadly. Do you figure on taking a sidecar riding course?

[Bob_W]

Sue
She won't ever ride in it, she wants to drive it. It would enable us to carry more stuff while traveling-kitchen sink? She doesn't feel comfortable trying to hold up even the 65 fully loaded on off camber parking spots.
Thanks for sidecar information and thanks for welcome.
Monday brings a high of 68 and back into the 70's for the rest of the week, so the restoration project will begin.
Bob

[Bob_Roller]

Before you start the restoration, what do you think the approximate cost will be ?

I've been working on a couple of LS's, and my esimates weren't even close to being realistic, I stopped keeping track of the costs .

[suecanada]

So Bob,if Gale wants to drive it, be sure she takes a course as they can be tricky I hear. I figure I should take the proper course. Maybe it helps not to have ridden a bicycle or motorcycle??? Body english sounds to be impt. as is a properly loaded sidecar which I wonder: if it is laden down heavily is that better?

[Justin B.]

Bob W, check out one of the older dual-shock bikes as I think the seat-height is a bit lower...