Sprucing up the old R65...

[wilcom]

Today - after more than 4 years - I started the old girl up and ran the motor for a couple of mins - nothing exploded or went bang - and all the new wiring for the Acewell worked too - it seems I might actually know what I'm doing lol lol lol 

Adrian.........are you on the road yet?

[Adrian]

Hi guys & thanks for the messages - it's nice to be acknowledged.
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Wilcom - the bike is very close to completion now. I'm cleaning up. The old panniers & I have to get a new foam made for the seat & have it reassembled. Then I can take it for a quick run to warm it up & set up the timing properly & tune up the carbies.
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It's taking time because of my illnesses which are much worse in the winter - so I'm not doing much right now. Plus I've run out of money again lol lol so I can take the time out of the shed to save up what I need.
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When I get home I'll put a picture or two up to show how far I've got with it.
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Here are the pics ......

[wilcom]

Hi guys & thanks for the messages - it's nice to be acknowledged.
.
Wilcom - the bike is very close to completion now. I'm cleaning up. The old panniers & I have to get a new foam made for the seat & have it reassembled. Then I can take it for a quick run to warm it up & set up the timing properly & tune up the carbies.
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Here are the pics ......

Fine looking bike Adrian..........keep us posted

[skippyc]

Looking really good. I am heading to SA via Mildura and the mighty Murray next week, no bike though.

[Adrian]

Looking really good. I am heading to SA via Mildura and the mighty Murray next week, no bike though.

Have a great time 

[Adrian]

Time to show the bike off in the sunshine - not quite finished but just a couple of small things to do to be ready for the road

[tiggum]

EXCELLENT!  Looks very nice.

[skippyc]

Can't wait to see how it runs on the road. It looks like new.
You've done a great job on it.

[ged in oz]

Congratulations Adrian. It looks fantastic. I can’t wit to hear your feedback on the 860 upgrade once it’s got some miles under it.

[Adrian]

Thanks guys - finally finished faffing with it today - ready for it's first long - ish run to get it up to temperature so I can check the timing and tune the carbies.
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Of course now I'm ready I've been promised a  few days of severe wet weather again - oh well that's life in the winter eh!
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Today I used the correct C spanner to adjust the rear shocks up to the middle position - and promptly bent it as the adjuster wouldn't move.
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I realized after a few minutes I was try to adjust the unit in the wrong direction - seniors moment  [smiley=thumbsup.gif] [smiley=thumbsup.gif]
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So bending it back into shape and all was well :-)

[Adrian]

So finally the bike is finished – the weather is okay – I’m having a period of improved health – the God of Motorcyclists is smiling upon me.
I’ve had 2 rides in the last 5 days – between crappy weather. The first a 25k run to warm up the engine so I could balance the carbs – all town riding.
The second – today – was half freeway riding – 25ks & up to 90kph followed by some hills riding – another 25ks & up to 100kph – lots of twisties and a road like a roller coaster lol lol.
The bike still feels a little rough – although much better than the first ride – and it might be pinging too – so I’ve refilled the tank with 98 octane – added to the existing half tank of 91 octane – should improve it I hope. When it was a standard R65 I always ran it on 98 & it was pretty smooth – so as I now have the 860cc conversion I might find that a better choice. For now the mix might be okay.
There is a very small flat spot between 3500 & 4000 revs – but once into the 4000+ band I was very surprised at just how much power there was available – not that I went mad but climbing the hilly bits was fun – so different to the original 650cc motor. I think I’m going to enjoy the larger capacity especially carrying a passenger.
So tomorrow will be another run around the local towns and rechecking the timing & the carb balance. Vibration is minimal and doesn’t seem to be affecting my feet or hands.
I wasn’t happy with the Acewell speedo/rev counter unit. It worked very well but was too small to see easily. So I had the original clocks restored – at amazing expense but worth it - & I am much happier with the bike looking standard.
Now spring and summer are here there will be much riding.

[wilcom]

Now spring and summer are here there will be much riding.

Adrian,,,,,,,,,,,,, I went back to your first post in this thread and it's been a 9 year labor of love. Lots of expense and loving touches went into your build, way to go!! Enjoy the riding season

[Adrian]

Adrian,,,,,,,,,,,,, I went back to your first post in this thread and it's been a 9 year labor of love. Lots of expense and loving touches went into your build, way to go!! Enjoy the riding season

Hi Wilcom - yep it took a while - not helped with about a 3 - 4 year gap in the middle when I had to move and I had no shed to work in.
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Add to that my ongoing health problems and then running out of money for a short while.
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So apart from being a little rough at the moment - it was such a pleasure riding the old girl once again - and on one of my favourite local country roads.