New member!!!!

[Whiskeyracer]

Just picked up an 83 r65!!! Waiting to pick up frame and motor (couldn't fit it in the jeep). Really excited for this, first street bike I've ever owned. Browsed the forum a bit and am really excited for this learning experience (never dug into a rebuild). Thank you in advance for all the insight!!

[Whiskeyracer]

A little history on how I got this beauty. My boss acquired this bike for free from his tae kwon do master who had bought it for his father as a retirement gift. His father rode it for 5 or so years and they garaged it. The owner then offered my boss the oppurtunity to "take it off his hands" if he could drive 300 miles to pick it up. It took my boss 1.5 years and multiple tries to get it before he finally got the chance. When he arrived he had to dig through some piles of timber and pull it out. He checked through grabbed the key put some fresh gas in and it fired up after 6 years sitting. Right as he let the clutch go the front brake completely locked up. He tailored it back up and tinckered on it for about 3 years (while cruising on a beautiful 1200). I told him I was looking into riding and he said I could have it under the same cercumstance he got it. Sooo here I stand with the most exciting project I've ever had put in my hands. Sorry for the long story but I love it.

[montmil]

Welcome aboard, Whiskeyracer. Appears you have your work cut out for you.  

Scanning your photos, I noticed the final drive is not from an '83 but from an earlier bike; perhaps a first or second year bike. Your R65 should have cast-in-place horizontal "ribs or fins" running in a line through the back wheel's axle position.

Keep us posted on your progress.

[Whiskeyracer]

What would the reasoning be behind the final drive? It's definitely an 83 I have the original book that came with the bike at first purchase.

[montmil]

What would the reasoning be behind the final drive? It's definitely an 83 I have the original book that came with the bike at first purchase.

May be a couple reasons.

If the 'smooth' final drive is original to the bike, it could be that the factory was using up earlier components prior to bringing a new design onto the assembly line. Your bike being an '83 seems to not fit this scenario.

The final drive case could be a replacement installed by a PO. The posted photo of the case is too dark to make out the condition of the splines. What shape are they in?

Here's a link to a good BMW website that you can trace the production month and year for your bike. You'll need the VIN number. BMW often sold last year models as a current year model to deplete inventory.

There's another VIN Number site but I can't seem to locate that one. Perhaps another member may assist on this.

Found it! http://realoem.com/bmw/enUS/select?product=M&archive=1&series=248&body=ohne&model=R65&market=USA

[thrang]

Welcome aboard Whiskeyracer. Looks like you'll have a couple of fun filled months in the shed putting the lady back together. As a first time go at a restoration project the R65 is a fairly straight forwards bike (don't you just love 70's tech) and most parts can still be sourced with out having to start rooting through the breakers yards.

[Whiskeyracer]

Definitely have my hand full!!! Broke open the brake master cylinder today to clean it up cause it was sludgy and the piston is frozen solid in the shaft.

[montmil]

Maybe keep a fire extinguisher handy cuz your credit card may burst into flame quite soon.  

[Whiskeyracer]

Fire extinguisher is a good idea. It's looking like around 500 for just the front brake system repair.