New member Scotland, UK

[R65North]

Hi Guys,

Good to be here among fellow addicts  

Here's my favourite bike that I've been improving over the last couple of years.

66K miles, early model wearing later panels I sourced from here, there and everywhere to replace the trashed originals.

Just had the heads in the shop for new exhaust valve guides and hardened seats and put new rings and pushrod seals on while I was at it. Just running in at the moment....

Cheers
Dave

[nhmaf]

Welcome aboard !

Looks like a nice clean machine!

[Barry]

Welcome Dave,

So you managed to fit the later seat unit and tail piece to the early model. Looks very smart.

Any problems or did it fit right on and did you also need to change the under seat  tool box.

[montmil]

Not positive, but think you may be the R65 forum's representative from Scotland.

Glad to have you with us.

[R65North]

Thanks for the welcome Guys.

Hi Barry, how are you? I fitted the Michelin tyres - compared to the Metzler an absolute dream to fit; easy for the home mechanic, as it should be.

Yes, the later cowl goes on with no modification. The under seat storage box above the battery no longer fits but of course you gain a similar volume storage box under the tail.

I still have the original seat and panels and when I am feeling rich will have them resprayed - maybe! in the meantime the red looks good and they are all original paint which I like. The whole lot cost around £150 which is not bad - I was lucky to get a cheap tank as this is usually the bulk of the cost.

Cheers
Dave

[Barry]

I'm fine thanks Dave and I remember your restoration thread on BM Bikes. Wow that's quite a transformation.  And you fitted Michelin M45's. Mine are still in black bags in the garage waiting for some warmer weather to make the fitting easier but it sounds like they are going to be no problem.

[R65North]

Thanks Barry, yes, it's been quite a project but a satisfying one. Still work to do, need to decide if the rattle when going on/off the throttle at around 4K revs is the timing chain/cogs/tensioner so getting hold of a strobe to see if there's a wobbly timing mark. Would rather not go in to the timing chest unless I have to!
Cheers
Dave

[Lucky_Lou]

Welcome ..... that seat does look well with the Clam Shell air filter cover why they ditched it for a plastic box is beyond me.
Lou

[Tony Smith]

Welcome ..... that seat does look well with the Clam Shell air filter cover why they ditched it for a plastic box is beyond me.
Lou

I reckon that 2 minutes to change an air filter instead of half an hour might have something to do with it.  

[Lucky_Lou]

Welcome ..... that seat does look well with the Clam Shell air filter cover why they ditched it for a plastic box is beyond me.
Lou

I reckon that 2 minutes to change an air filter instead of half an hour might have something to do with it.  

Try changing one on a "K".....................mare, on the r65 clamshell 2 jubilee clips on the connecting pipe 1 screw no big deal.
Lou

[R65North]

Thanks Lou, yeah I remember something about the plastic box being quieter but dunno if that's true. I definitely prefer the clamshells and the early Brown vinyl seat is an acquired taste! in the end it just came down to what original painted bits I could get at reasonable cost: some tanks are silly prices.

[Lucky_Lou]

Thanks Lou, yeah I remember something about the plastic box being quoted but dunno if that's true. I definitely prefer the clamshells and the early Brown vinyl seat is an acquired taste! in the end it just came down to what original painted bits I could get at reasonable cost: some tanks are silly prices.

A work of art ......
Lou

[R65North]

Very nice Lou.   The OEM champagne colour is the only one that really goes with the brown seat. My bike was originally mettalic red not a good mix to my eye.

[Lucky_Lou]

The bike was originally "Bronco Brown" a colour I could not live with but as I was doing a down to the metal rebuild I had a choice, the colour "Champagne" was only marketed in the USA this side of the pond it was known as "Silver Beige" with an "Olive" pinstripe. All the colour codes are available.
Lou

[clonmore1]

Having seen Lou's bike in the flesh so to speak, the colour works very well and the sound! My son said Lou's bike sounds like a "proper" bike.

I liked his K too, but Gertie is where it's at!