R65 Green Laner.

[lewisjohn]

I bought a 1980 R65 around 2 years ago,I was pondering which way to go with it, keep it standard and use it as a winter hack or do something else. I was chatting with Mikeyboy when he mentioned a set of F650 forks and yokes plus a brand new set of wheels with TKC 80 tyres which he had intended on using on a project. Couple of days later I was at his workshop picking them up.
When I bought the bike ,it came with a few spares, cylinder heads, and a kickstart endcover for the gearbox. I have now rebuilt the gearbox and fitted the kickstart endcover. Future plans include, hi level 2-1 exhaust system, pannier rails, heated grips, bespoke wiring, spotlights and a nice paint job.

 

[Mad Hatter]

I’m in, this’ll be good

 

[King Rat]

Watching avidly.

 

[peepingtom]

any updates John

 

[lewisjohn]

Engine is now rebuilt, I’m waiting for a little more powdercoating on the front cover etc, The frame has had a couple of mods done, KTM footrests and a rear luggage rack, it’ll have a 2-1 hi level system so I’ve removed the rear silencer mounts to tidy up the rear of the frame.

 

[Mad Hatter]

I like this a lot lot! Keep the photo’s coming

 

[lewisjohn]

Frame going for powder coating this Friday, I’ve removed swingarm bearings and headstock bearings, I’m going to put plugs in all the bearing positions and old bolts in all the threads. I have a colour scheme in mind for the whole bike,( see photo ) I have two final drives so I’m weighing up which to use, standard 31/9 or a 32/11, any thoughts?.

 

[lewisjohn]

And so the assembly begins, I picked up the frame this afternoon, new headstock bearings on order from Motorworks, driveshaft assembly tomorrow,hopefully back on its wheels next week.

 

[Mad Hatter]

Like the colours. Keep the photo’s coming.

 

[lewisjohn]

Bit more progress, drive shaft fitted, new swingarm bearings fitted with new oil seals. Headstock bearings fitted, the steering stem locknut was missing, it’s an M25 x 1 mm pitch nut, I searched online for a second hand one with no luck, only nuts I could find were M25 x 1.25 pitch. I eventuallly found one and ordered it, it went against the grain because it was coming from China. Brand new YSS shocks, not sure how they will perform,but the build quality looks excellent.No more work for two weeks as we are flying to Corfu Sunday morning.

 

[jonnie comet]

For me - Those colours are going to really work, or really not work. I'm 50/50.

Must be great to have the skills to do work like this, to know literally every nut and bolt on a bike.

Great stuff...

 

[lewisjohn]

Cheers Jonnie, I enjoy building my bikes as much as riding them. I have a varied collection of bikes,and enjoy tinkering with them all , but my favourite thing is complete rebuilds with modifications as I go along.

 

[lewisjohn]

First day back after two weeks in Corfu, started the assembly, the further I get into the build the happier I am with the choice of colours of the frame.hopefully the engine will go in next week.

 

[lewisjohn]

Engine is in, more powder coated parts arriving this week, starter motor cover and front cam chain cover. New clutch on order then the gearbox is going in.

 

[Mad Hatter]

Engine is in, more powder coated parts arriving this week, starter motor cover and front cam chain cover. New clutch on order then the gearbox is going in. View attachment 287620View attachment 287621

That’s looking great, keep the photo’s coming. I like the look of the twinshock

 

[lewisjohn]

Starter motor cover fitted along with the front cam chain cover, it was very satisfying cleaning the edges of the fins and BMW badge.

 

[jasp]

Nice work. Did you paint the rocker covers or powder coat them?

 

[lewisjohn]

Nice work. Did you paint the rocker covers or powder coat them?

Powdercoat satin black.

 

[jasp]

Thanks,I need to do my R100rs ones, did you mask the tips or clean them after?

 

[lewisjohn]

Thanks,I need to do my R100rs ones, did you mask the tips or clean them after?

I cleaned them after powdercoating