Custom restoration - R65LS

[Tony Smith]

The colour is Henna Red, the original colour of this bike, a 1982 R65LS. I checked the details and got the paint code and had the painter get the exact paint.

Can I be rude and ask which painter? The reason is that my wife has been a long term fan of Hell/Henna Red in BMW colour but we have been unable to find the paint code anywhere.


If you have the paint code handy still, can you post it please.  There is a 1974 Kombi at a Gold Coast Restorer that she would like to paint Hell Red.

[peteremc]

No problems, Tony.

I went to Lyons St Paint & Panel, just off Scott St. Paul's the man to talk to. They were recommended to me and I previously had a set of panniers and front guard for my Road King painted by them. Not only was it a great quality paint job, they matched a 2000 model Harley pearl paint near perfectly. I am extremely happy with the care they've taken with my bits & pieces in a shop which I'm sure would be more interested in a string of well paid insurance jobs on cars. One part in particular was re-done this time because they were not happy with the first result. I'm happy with that. When I approached Paul to do this job they also had some Ducati parts in there to paint, so seems like he doesn't mind doing bike bits. You may wait a few days longer because it depends on spray booth time, but the prices are very reasonable also - I've looked for other quotes and they don't compete

The paint on my frame is BMW Henna Red (hennarot) and the paint code is 052. I'd love to see photos of a 74 Kombi in Henna red! I have a bit of a Kombi fetish. Owned one many years ago and never owned another one, but also never got it out of my system.

[peteremc]

Well, despite all my good intentions to post regular updates, I've barely been able to scavenge enough time to get the work done on this bike.

Right here I post my apologies to the purists and fans of stock R65 and especially the LS, but you will be happy to know that I have saved all the stock bits from this LS for someone else to use to restore their bike.

I did set out with an idea in mind and I couldn't be happier with where it's all gone.

I will post a series of posts, because there are photos with each stage.

I did nothing with the motor/gearbox except replace pushrod tube rubbers and rear main seal. All else was OK

So, following on from previous posts – many moons ago – the rear went in no problems in the end and I had the bike off the floor. My back gave a cheer and I had a beer (or 12) to celebrate.

[peteremc]

On the other side, the final drive is satin black

[peteremc]

The wheels are painted in 2-pack satin black

[peteremc]

The front end was a bit more work than expected because I had to seek all sorts of forum assistance and do a full refurbishment of the forks, but I finally had it sorted. I also paid a truckload of money for a set of Tarozzi clip-ons and replacement brake rotors (old ones were below spec) both of which I’m very happy with in the end. I did learn a fair bit.

[peteremc]

Finally, I had an opportunity to do a mock-up in the garage. I had shaped a seat from foam because I shortened the sub-frame by about 3 inches and needed something to fit it, but the seat I ended up using came from a mad German from Miami, Florida because I could buy it, landed at my place for about half the price I was quoted locally to fibreglass my mould. I have since found out that I was probably talking to the wrong people. Damn! Still, it looks great on the bike.

[peteremc]

From here it was send parts off to the painter and he did a sterling job. Here’s a sample.

[peteremc]

Meantime, Made up a battery box to relocate it up under the seat. Very happy with the way this turned out. You can also see the seat mounts made from strip aluminium and suspension bushes that I had to make up. Just 4 screws through the seat and all mounted. Took me a long time to get the seat aligned in all planes (level front to back and side to side, correct distance from the tank and the correct height) but worked a treat in the end.

[peteremc]

...and from underneath

[peteremc]

Then I have the parts back from the painter and I have something close to the end product.  The front guard/fender (depends where you live) is the original item, cut to the same length fore and aft of the mounts. The controls are all the original with a new master cylinder fitted. The headlight and mounts are after-market items.

Now I’m getting exhaust sorted this week – thanks for some communication with Montmil – and the seat is having upholstery fitted and should be ready at the end of the week and all lights and gauges will hopefully be hooked up this week and I hope I’ll have a functioning bike!

[peteremc]

This is, of course, a very abbreviated account of many moths of work. A couple of things I didn't mention:
All the lights (various) and gauges (Acewell) are after market, as minimal as possible.
The rear sets are Raask which I picked up a a bargain. Took a bit of adapting to the rear brake, particularly to activate the brake light switch properly, but got it sorted should work fine.
The starter cover came from a new company BetterBoxerCo. in New Zealand. This is a superior product (no sponsorship or anything, just someone making a great product)
Enjoy!

[wilcom]

I love your color scheme, The "in your face" red frame with the conservative dark grey is pure art! Nice job Sir.

[peteremc]

Thank you sir. That's high praise indeed. Appreciated

[Tony Smith]

I'll second that if I may. Very well done sir.

I am envious.