New Member; East Tennessee

[TnMtns]

I purchased my first BMW last week.  It's a 1983 r65 with 44,000 miles that's in good shape.  I'm the third owner and although I didn't know them both prior owners lived within 20 miles of me.  The tires were 8 and 6 years old.  I don't like riding on tires that are more than 5 years old so some Bridgestone Spitfires are on the way.  Most of my riding is in the mountains of East Tennessee and Western North Carolina (Dragon's Tail; Cherohala Skyway, Foothills Parkway, etc) so my tires always wear out quickly.

Drop me a line if you're planning to Slay the Dragon and I'll meet you at Deal's Gap.

Best,
Jim

[montmil]

The photograph of your new R65 looks as if it was lifted from a BMW sales brochure. Very nice, indeed. You'll have to grace us with some more snaps so we can enjoy the fairing , bags and bike.

Welcome to our R65 asylum, of which their is no escaping. Your choice of tires is a good one for the classic Airhead. Spits on all three of my Airheads.

[TnMtns]

Thanks Monte,
Some mornings there are 100+ photographers in that location.  I'll post some detail pics when I've got her cleaned up a bit more.  She's obviously been a bit neglected that last couple of years.  She's idling at 3,300 when warmed up.  I'm hoping a can of SeaFoam takes care of that.  The shocks need adjusting or replaced.  (Is there a thread on this topic?)  There's an electrical problem that comes and goes.  I thought the rear left turn light was burned out but then it will work... then not.  She had to be jump started when I bought her ($100 off for the purchase of a new battery) but since then she's started right up.

After I get these basics taken care of I'll be looking to make some improvements.  

Jim

[montmil]

... She's idling at 3,300 when warmed up.  I'm hoping a can of SeaFoam takes care of that.  The shocks need adjusting or replaced.  (Is there a thread on this topic?)  There's an electrical problem that comes and goes.  I thought the rear left turn light was burned out but then it will work... then not... Jim

The bings can be tuned up after a l-o-n-g ride to get the engine up to normal operating temperature. Attempting to tune n' synch the carbs on a cold engine can result in, well, an overly high idle speed. try tweaking the idle air mixture screws after the engine is toasty. Bet you can get those revs down to the preferred  900-1100 range. Any lower in the rev range and your alternator will stop offering up a charge to the battery. City driving / stop n' go is an Airhead battery killer.

Start tracing wire connections. You're riding a 33 year-old wiring harness. Good electrical circuits, just as with coffee and divorces, begin with good grounds.

[thrang]

Hello from England!

Nice looking R65!

As Monte said, the come and go eleccy problem sounds like a loom problem. Dry solder/corrosion inside the joints of the block connectors can be a problem if the loom has not been looked after. If the come and go problem is on the indicator circuit then have a look at the wiring where it runs into the T piece going off to the indicator units as you can get a vibe induced abrasion there.

Looking forwards to more piccys.

[clonmore1]

Hi TnMtns,

Welcome, you a DeRoyal boy harking from Knoxville?

[TnMtns]

I appreciate the tips and help!  

Chris,
I'm not a DeRoyal boy.  My father's family is from Chattanooga.  Moore Road Interstate Exit leads to the site of the old home place.  I'm been in Knoxville since 1971.  Lots of wonderful places in the world, but I have yet to visit any where else I'd rather live year round.

Pics to follow... probably tomorrow.

Best,
Jim

[Justin B.]

I, too, would like some more pics of the fairing!

Suraklyn and I rode The Dragon a few years ago - me on my R1150RT-P and he on his R1200 ST.  I think it would be fun to go back at it on something light like an R65 but not sure I have enough time...

Here's Phat-Boy on the Land-Barge...