newbie.

[geekmong]

hi all, off to collect my 82' model r65ls tomorrow (wednesday) a present for my 46th birthday, hope its as good as advertised. My first Bmw in 29 years of riding, can't wait to join the experience.

[Ed Miller]

Good luck!  Return with pictures!

[nhmaf]

/Happy Birthday to a fellow Virgo - my 47th birthday is coming up in 13 days.

I think/hope that you will enjoy your present!

[2dogs1cat]

Welcome...lots of knowledgeable members with interesting posts.

Lots of pictures and ride reports please.

:^)

[montmil]

Birthday presents to self are always just right. Especially when it's a new to you BMW.

Post up some pics or we'll think you're riding a moped. Happy birthday, Adrian.

Monte

[geekmong]

Well thanks for all the replies and good wishes, rode my new bike (to me)  65 mile s home, totally different to all my other in-line fours. Got  caught out a little by the brakes, or rather lack of them, compared to my Hornet but too be expected. Have ordered a manual and will be giving both front and rear brakes a good fettling over the next week or so. In great condition though and pulled well in all 5 gears.  I am impressed by the sheer functional ability of it, can't wait to get my hands dirty. Will be reading the brake bleeding forums with interest. Again many thanks to you all. Ride safe.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Don't ever expect much from the rear brake.  Just keep your front in top shape and you will do alright - as long as you remember which bike you are riding!

[trolle]

Don't ever expect much from the rear brake

What? A rear brake? Is that something we should have? Where is it?

greetings from a beautiful summer morning in the north

[Semper Gumby]

What?  Still no pictures??

 :-/

[geekmong]

hi Bill, i will take some pix tomorrow, and upload them for you to look at and cast your approval ( i hope ). Been for another ride today and loved it, have decided not to bother with the rear brake and just buy a thicker soles for my boots........

[Bob_Roller]

Adrian, welcome to the loonie bin !!

A bit of a note on the rear brake, the LS version of the R65, takes a different rear brake shoe than the standard R65, the brake drum is a bit larger diameter on the LS .

Standard R65 brake shoes won't work on an LS bike .

Possibility of a previous owner replaced them and didn't know this .

[geekmong]

hi, have adjusted the rear brake, now works a lot better. Have not bled the front yet but took the fluid cap off to check the brake fluid and it is very brown so will flush the system and have a go at bleeding. As it is a twin disc is there any preference to which side to bleed first. I have also got a syringe and clear tube for reverse bleeding if required. The pads are fine. One point i noticed this morning, when i checked the gearbox level, by allowing any excess to leak out a good 2 tablespoons came out. The bike was level on stand. Is this normal because i can;t figure how the previous owner got it in unless the bike was leaning to the right?All other oils(levels) were fine and dandy. will try to upload a pic. when i can reduce it.

[Barry]

when i checked the gearbox level, by allowing any excess to leak out a good 2 tablespoons came out. The bike was level on stand. Is this normal ....will try to upload a pic. when i can reduce it.  

It's not that unusual for oil to migrate from an overfilled drive shaft to the gearbox. I wouldn't worry. Check the breather hole in the speedo cable bolt is clear and when you change the drive shaft oil do it by volume rather than trying to measure the level. The recommended volume is 150 cc but some put in a little less at 120 cc which won't cause a problem. Not a bad idea to measure how much comes out when you do the change.

Lots of free programmes around to re-size images. Google Picasa, paint.net or if you have Microsoft office installed Picture Manager will do it.

[montmil]

... As it is a twin disc is there any preference to which side to bleed first.

Old timers will tell you that it is common practice is to bleed the brakes beginning with the furthest from the master cylinder. May not make a huge difference due to the close proximity of the two front discs, but...

Monte

[Justin B.]

Contrary to popular opinion the rear drum brake is more than adequate and will easily lock up the rear wheel when adjusted and not oiled.  BMW bowed to pressure from the MC press and used a rear disc for a couple of years on the RS and RT but went back to the drum until the end of the Airheads.