Aegis Chris R65 Rebuild

[clonmore1]

Hi Tony,

No paint used, that's the "natural" look after 32 years out in the elements.

All my ally parts (not engine block yet) have been aqua blasted by a specialist who loves working on old airheads as he says the quality is very good.

Here is an image of the rear hub and powdercoated drive shaft

[Tony Smith]

Hi Tony,

No paint used, that's the "natural" look after 32 years out in the elements.

I am seriously impressed! below is a link to the R65 I am rebuilding, it was in reasonable condition when I bought it in 1994 (although with a dropped valve) - 19 years under my house covered in some old sheets have not been kind to it (I live on a beach). I had previously said I'd not put photos up as I am a little embarrassed at the "roughness" of mine compared to the beautiful job others (such as yourself) are doing. My only defence is that I never set out for it to be pretty, it just has to work and be mechanically reliable while I do a "proper" rebuild on my R100RS. The ultimate future for the R65 is to be either sold or turned into an R65G/S using a Japanese front end and an early model G/S swing-arm. So with a final plea to go gently on such things as slapping Killrust paint over surface rusted steel.....Also, as you can see the alloy has suffered terribly - the rocker cover and final drive I painted with Phosphoric acid which has removed the nasty white powder corrosion, but left those components much darker than they were ever intended to be.


https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/104425121947497605748/albums/5884461154586224881

[montmil]

Can't seem to see your snaps, Tony.

Anyone else having the same problem?
Google says:

404. That’s an error.
The requested URL was not found on this server. That’s all we know.

[Lucky_Lou]

Can't seem to see your snaps, Tony.

Anyone else having the same problem?
Google says:

404. That’s an error.
The requested URL was not found on this server. That’s all we know.

Ditto.................
Final drive looks wrong Chris... are you building a Helicopter  [smiley=lolk.gif]
Lou

[Tony Smith]

Can't seem to see your snaps, Tony.

Anyone else having the same problem?
Google says:

404. That’s an error.
The requested URL was not found on this server. That’s all we know.

The link was too long, if you type 881 on to the end of it, it works.
 
anyway, here's a better link http://tinyurl.com/kvfjfum

[clonmore1]

"Final drive looks wrong Chris... are you building a Helicopter"  Smiley
Lou

Sorry Lou, yeah, I'm working on restoring an old Jet Ranger...

[clonmore1]

Hi Tony,

You sure have a job on there!!!!!

Mine doesn't have the salt issue you have, but the bike had never been cleaned for years and was put away filthy and then left for about 9 years under a plastic tarp in a damp leaking shed.

I think the jury is out on aqua blasting due to residue, but I love the finish as it is almost back to new. Not sure how long the finish will last, but I'm using AFC as a protector.

Looking forward to seeing yours when finished

[Tony Smith]

Hi Tony,

You sure have a job on there!!!!!

You are so right. I will put some new shots up over the weekend. I have finished sanding and repainting the pannier frames and crashbars and I recovered the seat last weekend. There are some things I now regret, such as not completely stripping the frame and having it acid dipped and then either repainted or powder-coated. I keep telling myself that it doesn't have to look pretty - just work!
 
I did however spend the first money on "luxury" items for it this week - a brand new pair of Ikon shocks and a combination 12volt/USB charge outlet to be discretely place somewhere on the handlebars.
 
One thing that fascinated me is that I'd never really taken any notice of the actual year model.. when I bought it back in 1994 it was sufficient for my purposes that it had the same "bits" as my wife's R65/80 and that they could be robbed to repair her bike (I'd just managed to prang it). It therefore came as a shock when I unlimbered the drill to take the compliance plate off the frame when I was going mad with the black killrust, to discover that it is a Sept 1985 manufacture. My R65 must have been one of the very last twin shock models as I seem to recall that the R65 went to a common frame and monolever with the R80 and R100 in 1985.

[AJB]

Looking good Chris (and Tony)!
Where did you get the aqua blasting done?  It's a process that, I have to admit, I wasn't familiar with until I saw this thread - but it seems to give an excellent finish.  Are there any disadvantages?

[clonmore1]

Hi AJB,

I will get the contact details for the guy that did the work (details are on my work phone which is, er at work and not where I am at present...), he is based just across from Squires Café (http://www.squires-cafe.co.uk/) in some farm buildings. He has an amazing selection of classic BMW cars and a real Aladdin's cave of bikes and bits, I would love to wander around for an hour or so!!!

From what I have been told, the residue from the blast media can become lodged in oilways etc leading to serious issues later, so through cleaning is essential.

Here's another shot showing forkleg vs old disc

[clonmore1]

Engine has now been dismantled and all Alu bits/cases are off to the aqua blast man.

Engine should be completed prior to Xmas.

The ignition system is being upgraded (I will post pictures when I have them).

Should have engine back in frame ready for final build through January/Feb with MOT for March. Because I am using a professional BMW specialist, I am having to spread the cost over the winter

I am thinking of S/S fasteners since seeing an R100 in black with them fitted, it looked lovely!

The missus as yet seems to be taking little notice as the cost rises, I suspect pain is just around the corner, I will attempt to post if my fingers are still working after the beating

[steve hawkins]

Just tell her that it will all be wasted unless you see it through to the end.

Once committed, the only way out is to see it through.

Looking good.

Rev. Light

[clonmore1]

Thanks Steve

I did a lot of DIY today, all those little jobs that have hung around for a while, need to pay the next instalment

[MR.E]

Ey up Chris

Projects looking clean!!
Where you based?
I'm in Leeds and always keen to meet local 'Airheads' most of my mates are superbikers and don't get the r65!!

All the best

Elliott

[clonmore1]

Hi Mr E

I live in the Holme Valley just south of Huddersfield, be good to link up once I have the old girl up and on the road again.

We have some very nice roads near to us including part of the route for the 2014 Tour de England (or whatever they are calling it), so all the roads are being done up nice and proper!!!

Cheers

Chris