Another New Guy......

[Tony_T]

Hi all from the Barossa Valley in South Australia. I've just joined up as I picked up my first BMW today. A '79 R65.
I've never owned a BMW of any sort before, so my apologies for all the dumb questions I'll come up with.  
The bike has been sitting for over 10 years, so it needs some love, but I gave the carbs a quick clean out today and fired it up. It runs like a hairy goat so I'll give the carbs a proper service, slip in some new plugs and see what happens after that.
Photo attached.  
P.S. it's not as good as it looks in the photo, but should be a good project and a fun ride....... I hope........  

[Barry]

Welcome Tony

Your 79 looks fairly original except for replacement rear shocks - probably a good thing. Even the centre stand is hardly worn.

Looks like it's had some new paint due to the missing coach lines and side panel decals. The original colour is silver beige or might be called champagne in some markets.

[Tony_T]

Thanks for the welcome Barry.
Yeah, I think for the price it's a decent thing. I'm actually quite excited about the idea of owning my first real road bike since 1988!    Just sitting on it today (making 'broom-broom noises   ) the handlebars felt really narrow and quite low, so maybe I need to look at something higher/wider once I get it running properly.
I've had over 50 bikes in my life, but only 5 of those were road bikes. (Although my V-Strom could have been considered a road bike   ) Maybe old age has me looking for an easier life.  

[Barry]

A V_Strom is a very nice bike and I like the efficiently designed centre stand it has.

I can see how the R65's handle bars would seem low and narrow by comparison. Some hereabouts fit the US bars and will probably chip in and tell you whats involved. I did an odd thing. With the aid of some gentle heat and a lot of care to do it accurately I bent mine a little which pulled them back towards me an inch and raised them an inch  - just enough to make me comfortable.

[montmil]

Welcome to the herd, Tony. You probably already know that there are quite a few Aussies hereabouts.

You will enjoy the Wee Beemer. Suggest you first change all fluids and the oil filter so you will have a baseline established for future maintenance. May need tires since the bike has been sitting for so long. The old adage of "a dollar for every cc of displacement" will come into play for you as we spend your money! Suggest you hold off on changing bars until you get acquainted with the R65's sporting handling. Plus, you'd need to replace all those expensive cables with longer 'uns.

BTW, loosely zip tie those easy-to-lose side panels to the chassis tube directly behind them. Oh, the tales of woe we've heard...

Monte

[Lucky_Lou]

Welcome Tony fire away with questions, mine is a 79 with "RT" bars fitted these came from Motorworks part number HAA37660 you need to replace the cables and the brake pipe to do this, if you email Motorworks they will give a list of the parts required.There is no problem with the wireing loom as there is spare length tucked away under the tank.
Lou

[Tony_T]

Thanks for the advice, fellas.
I spent a little time on it today, mainly to try and get it running well. The r/h carby had something wedged into the pilot jet! Looked like a bit of drill it, or something.    I got it out, but it runs way rich at idle on that cylinder now, so I've got a new jet coming. Along with floats, gaskets etc etc.
I'll replace all fluids, filters, battery & tyres, then ride it for a bit before spending much on cosmetics.
I'm really looking forward to the riding bit............  

[dav]

Welcome aboard mate [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif].

Barassa Valley, wine country, plenty of roads to get the cob webs out of your new steed mate.

Enjoy the site & enjoy your R65.

[suecanada]

Welcome Tony! There are no dumb questions and all ? are given considerable thought and are resolved. You will find this forum becomes a big part of your computer life if you persist in getting the bike "perfect"!! Wide range of skill set within the members so not much can stump 'em.

[Tony_T]

Wide range of skill set within the members so not much can stump 'em.

So far, I'm really enjoying the mechanical simplicity of it. I was a mechanic for 20 years and have owned 50+ bikes, but I can honestly say that (so far) it's been one of the easiest and most enjoyable bikes I've ever worked on. I've got a few old Mercedes-Benz cars as well and they can certainly be challenge from time to time.  
And yes, dav, there's definitely some lovely roads around my way that the little Beemer will be well suited to, I think.
Can't wait!  [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]

[Barry]

I've got a few old Mercedes-Benz cars as well and they can certainly be challenge from time to time.  

I've had a 1989 190E for 18 years now and had very few problems.  I like the simplicity of the Bosch Ke injection as the electronic bit only plays around the edges of what is really a mechanical injection system.