R65 Racer

[MR.E]

Now then

As most will have seen i've decided to build an R65 racer.
Hopefully i'll document the build here, not really a photo person but i'll try sort some.

This is the Donor bike as i got it
http://i.ebayimg.com/t/BMW-R65-Motorbike-T-Reg-1978-/00/s/NzUwWDEwMDA=/z/VVoAAOxynhFRDog2/$T2eC16hHJF8E9nnC9dFyBRDog1ioyw~~60_12.JPG
I'll be stripping it for the engine, gearbox and carbs.


Below is the base of the R65.

I'll update as i go

Elliott

[chrisr65ls]

Like the upside-down forks.

[MR.E]

Cheers, should make it nice and rigid in the corners.

Started stripping it last night.
I'm only after the engine and gearbox eventually so most things are been put to one side whilst the other frame's been built & the engine tuned, i'll eventually return everything to stock but missing the engine & box.

I started looking over the electrics last night, i won't be running any lights (though i am toying with a brake light), looks like about 10 cables will let me run the bike & charge it.

I'm toying with a vapor speedo and rev counter for the build too, unless anyone can recommend others.

Thanks

[MR.E]

most of the running gear has arrived for the bike.
I've pieced it all together & i'm very happy with it, con not wait to get it round a track!!

when the tyres and rear shock arrive this week i'll be able to have a better idea of how it'll sit on the floor.
With it been a centre mono shock swingarm, i've to make and weld a bracket to mount the top of the shock but be able to take the stresses from the rear wheel too.

Elliott

[MR.E]

It seems the project will be a little trickier than I let myself think!
The wheel is out by roughly 40mm, so I need to move the swingarm 20mm to the right to combat it, it means the propshaft will be running on an angle but the propshaft company I visited seem to think they can build what's needed!

The other problem I'm left with is fabricating the shock mount, and setting it at the right angle/ distance for control & cornering!!

I'll post pics of how I get on

[nhmaf]

This is no simple sand/repaint job that you've jumped fully into the deep end of!   I'm impressed, but I'm wondering if you have to have the swingarm outboard by another 3/4 inch how well the balance/cornering will be?

Have you shortened the front forks (I'm trying to figure out where they came from?).  It seems like the rake/trail are going to be considerably different, too.

Interesting to watch it come together!
 [smiley=lurker.gif]

[MR.E]

Cheers, it's now at the stage of in for a penny.......!!

The front forks came from a Yamaha R1, they'll reduce the trail a little hopefully increasing the ability to throw it into corners, though to be fair the R65 was OK in that dept..

Although, i've opted for a 35.5cm rear suspension unit, until i know how it rides i'll build the mount to have adjustable eyelets, which will also allow me to alter the trail of the bike.

The swingarm will be centred in the bike, but the right mount for the original swingarm need cutting out and sliding in the frame, this will leave the original mount contactin about 5mm of the frame so i'm going to have to gusset it for strength.

I'm having the propshaft made today, well 3 of them, last thing i want is to be let down by one at a race weekend.
the tyres arrived yesterday, hopefully this weekend the bike will sit on tyres, but i doubt the rear shock will be fully inplace.

Thanks

[violetpop]

wow! I like it!

[littledave]

hi Elliott
i like your vision !
do the triple trees from the r1 fit straight onto the r65 frame?

[MR.E]

Cheers guys
The R1 triples fit perfect, even the length of the steerer tube is fine.

I had to turn 2mm off the bearing as the r1 ones are massive but the r65 are just out.

The biggest problem I've had is to centre the rear wheel, had to cut the frame and weld a new pivot point in.
The rear swingarm is going to need a fair bit milling from the forward end to allow the propshaft in and the freedom to turn.

I've attached a pic of the bike with its rough height.
The rear shock is on and the subframe is built, but I think I've done something wrong (I'll post pics later).

[littledave]

hi Mr E  has there been progress with your racer recently
i'm very interested in your build

[livingdeadhead]

at least the running gear will be able to handle the power!  

[MR.E]

Now then

Sorry for the delay in adding to the website, balancing work, a 12 week old & the wife hasn't left alot of time for building the bike.

But, the engines rebuilt, with new rings, conrod bearings, everything it needed (maybe needed i did it anyway).
I've built a subframe though it sits tall its very comfy.
I've used S1000rr rearsets and am looking forward to riding it.
I'm just starting the build on the exhaust, optimised for 4500 revs.

I've decided to run the bike stock this year and do the planned engine mods this winter, at least that'll give me a good base for the improvements and let me iron out any frame niggles!!

[montmil]

Looking quite interesting.

It may be the camera angle, but the quartering side view appears to show the entire engine above the axles. With full fuel and geared-up rider, the CG will be pretty high. May fall into corners quickly but you also might have a small concern with getting the bike back up and out of the turn.

And as you mentioned, it does, "sit tall."

Keep after it, Elliott. It's definitely going to be exotic!

[MR.E]

yeah i'm nervous as to how it's gonna ride, but if it handles like a crap i've a nice ornament for the corner of the shed!!

All the best