Work continues on revamping my 79' R65. When I moved to San Francisco a little over a year and a half ago, I kept the bike garaged down here in San Diego, thanks to the generous Mike Valenti and Ben Carufel, with the idea that having a bike for SoCal visits would be nice.
When my 92' R100R was stolen (and recovered, with damages) I thought twice about leaving the poor R65 all by her lonesome for months on end.
So I'm reworking the bike and will be riding her back to San Fran this coming week.
So far I've done the following:
- Replaced the entire instrument cluster with a single, elegant, Acewell 2853. This really cleaned up the front end look, allowing that gorgeous triple-clamp to shine, and lightened the bike by 12 pounds! The Acewell provides both speedo and tach functions, and accommodates all indicator lights (except the gen light - more on that later).
- Fabricated a pair of headlight ears, from a paper towel holder. Since the whole clunky armature that holds up the turn signals, headlight and instruments was going away, I needed something in it's place and didn't want to wait weeks for the aluminum headlight ears I've been jonzing for. So I improvised. You'll be surprised by the results. Pics forthcoming.
- Relocated fuses and signal flasher relay to left side-cover. Plan to replace fuses with inline flat fuses, thanks to MonteMil for his documentation.
- Replaced plugs, cables and NKG caps with 5 ohm resistance from Euromotoelectric. Mike V. had these on hand and despite recommendations to run 0 ohm caps, they seem to be working fine. More on this later.
- Replaced & rebuilt new master-cylinder.
- Removed brake line and dual-setup junction for a single stainless to my ATE caliper. WOW! What a difference! Brake action could be improved, as it's a little stiff, but boy does she stop better. I had no idea how worn those old fuses and master cyl were. I think my cylinder piston size is for a dual disc setup, because it has a VERY stiff feel at the handle-bar. I have no plans to go dual disc on this bike, adding 10 lbs un-sprung weight, but I may change the piston and upgrade the ATE to a Brembo, though I've heard a properly setup ATE (the later model, not the earlier) is just as good. Thoughts welcome.
- Welded center stand, re-attaching deployment tang, adding material to improve stand angle. Now it's MUCH easier to get the bike both on and off the stand, and the front/rear wheel is easily elevated for service.
- Added a Givi A34 Windscreen, a perfect fit for this and most Airheads, recommended by B. Jan aka Airhead #1.
- Few other cosmetic enhancements like a galvanized steel battery box cover I fabricated.
TODO:
- Install replacement clutch I acquired from Stoners Beemer Stash for a mere $75. Plenty of life left in it and will be a big improvement over my oil soaked clutch.
- Replace Rear-Main seal, likely responsible for my soiled clutch. Will know more soon.
Install Progressive Fork Springs on the front end, also from Stoner
- Install 13" rear shocks by MDI, aka: Fuzio, a Taiwanese mfg of aftermarket shocks since the 60s. These, I'm told, are comparable in feel to the Progressive 412 and for about $100 less. I'll give a full report once I've had a chance to test them out. Pictured here: http://www.loudfastugly.com/chrmandacc/MDI/mdi.htm
- Change gear, final drive and engine oil prior to departure.
Anything else I'm missing Mike?
Pictures and details on Acewell install forthcoming. There were a few peculiarities on install not covered by threads elsewhere, though this from ADVrider was most helpful to get started:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=527749--
Justin Morrison
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