R65LS

You don't hang about John. It took me about 2 weeks just to clean up my gearbox case. The guy who got your Breva is a friend of a friend. Small World.
 
Gearbox re-fitted , starter motor in and air box base back on

Wiring harness re-attached so just have to repair/replace the missing connector that the he LH switch gear plugs into (see wanted post)

IMG_0312.jpeg

IMG_0313.jpeg
 
Missing connector replaced (thanks Mikeyboy) , crankcase ventilation tubes fitted and airfilter and airbox cover back on

Refurbished the alternator , new springs and brushes and re-soldered the 3 phase connections and re-fitted

Ignition unit fitted , battery box and battery back on

IMG_0322.jpeg

IMG_0323.jpeg


IMG_0324.jpeg

IMG_0325.jpeg

IMG_0326.jpeg
 
Swinging arm re-fitted but came to a stop as I realised I've forget to buy new driveshaft bolts :-(

Another parts order for Motorworks as I need a new clutch actuator arm bush and needle roller bearing as well

IMG_0328.jpeg
 
Last edited:
A little bit more progress , rear subframe fitted along with headlight bracket , ignition switch and headlight . Electrics tested so far all work OK so my repairs seem good :-)

0ea70f8344bb5ce5154d61146e59812f.jpg

e858d807de6c1573039e48810eaced40.jpg



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Having completely neglected the R65LS project for a full month due to work , a weeks touring in Ireland , a new R12 G/S and a re-commision of an F650GS twin for my son , I finally got a couple of hours to get things going again . Last few jobs on the wiring , drive shaft refitted with new boot , final drive back on , new clutch arm pivot bearing and bush fitted . Got the foot pegs all re-fitted , rear shocks on and the mudguard back on . Off away with work again this coming week so now more progress now until next weekend

IMG_0577.jpegIMG_0578.jpegIMG_0579.jpegIMG_0580.jpeg
 
Might only be a small job but it all goes towards getting it back on the road and to it's new owner : rear light , indicators and number plate fitted . Bonus is the lights all work ( I did fit a new rear wiring loom as the old one was a bit grim)

To placate my OCD I have ordered a black number plate screw for the bottom fixing

A full day in the garage planned for tomorrow so significant progress hopefully will be seen

IMG_0597.jpeg
 
Early 0530 start - brake shoes fitted , back wheel on and brake shoes adjusted

Exhaust all re-fitted and rear toolbox back in place

Took a short break from the R65 to fit my head guards and SATNAV bracket to the R12 G/S

Time for breakfast I think and then front wheel and brakes next

IMG_0607.jpegIMG_0608.jpegIMG_0609.jpeg
 
Getting there - brake discs replaced with a good used set , front wheel and brake calipers installed along with brake lines

Handlebars , switchgear , clocks and throttle/choke cables all fitted , carburettors on

Front brake switch is only working intermittently so I've ordered a new one , rear is working fine so will be OK to do road test tomorrow ;-)

Next job is to get all the oils installed and then get the petrol tank on

Then refit the fairing , get the front indicators on and install seat

Hopoefully be in a position to give it a run out tomorrow

Next weekends job will be fitting pannier frames and crash bars

IMG_0610.jpeg
 
Called it a day , 12 hours in the garage today other than a 30 minute lunch break

All the oils other than the gearbox oil done as I ran out of gearbox oil , hopefully Amazon will deliver the litre of Liqui Moly 85w/90 GL5 early in the day tomorrow

Petrol tank fitted , petcock refurbished and an in line filter fitted

Cranked the engine over and the oil light quickly went out :-)

Fitted the black plastic number plate screw

Back at it again in the morning....IMG_0612.jpegIMG_0613.jpegIMG_0614.jpegIMG_0615.jpeg
 
A bit of a dilemma on the R65LS

I've just spent an hour or so looking at the Krauser pannier frames that came with the bike and they are quite a big job to fit and would involve removing the the rear light , indicators , number plate and rear mudguard . That in itself is not a problem the issue is that the rails foul the rear indicators and hence the Krauser racks have there own custom indicators . To fit them would mean cutting the brand new rear harness I've just fitted and soldering in these non standard indicators . Also the Krauser panniers whilst functional with all the locks working (and I have keys) , one of them has had a repair to its base with perspex and glue at some time in its past . If it was me making the decision I would not fit the frames and would leave the bike as standard but I am leaving that decision to the new owner . The bike also came with a BMW rear pannier rack set up which would bolt on slightly easier and would not require any modifications to the indicators but the Krauser panniers do not fit the BMW racks and the pannier frames themselves need shot blasting and powder coating , they are not in a state where I could rub them down and spray them with Hammerite Smooth

On a more positive note the crash bars have came up great after rubbing down and painting

IMG_0616.jpegIMG_0617.jpegIMG_0618.jpegIMG_0619.jpegIMG_0620.jpegIMG_0621.jpeg
 
John, Knowing your fastidious nature, you would not be able to look at either of the frames or those panniers without wincing. If you want/need affirmation of your choice, I'd not spoil the bike's stunning finish with either right now. If it were to be mine, I'd have the BMW frames, get them refurbed properly and use my AS Magadans for occasional use / shopping trips.
 
A bit of a dilemma on the R65LS ......................

.................... I am leaving that decision to the new owner .............
New owner !!
Really !!
I've been following this thread for ages, waiting and expecting an announcement that the bike is now up for sale.
There would then be a few decisions to be made here
- can I afford it ?
- can I not afford it ?
- can I make space in the garage ?
- I do like bikes that come with history and this bike has it in spades.
But very well done John, and very well done the new owner.
I guess I shall simply wait for the next rebuild thread.
And I have enjoyed this one immensely, thanks very much.
 
New owner !!
Really !!
I've been following this thread for ages, waiting and expecting an announcement that the bike is now up for sale.
There would then be a few decisions to be made here
- can I afford it ?
- can I not afford it ?
- can I make space in the garage ?
- I do like bikes that come with history and this bike has it in spades.
But very well done John, and very well done the new owner.
I guess I shall simply wait for the next rebuild thread.
And I have enjoyed this one immensely, thanks very much.
I don't think he is saying it's already sold, just that the new/next owner can decide about the panniers, whoever that maybe?
 
I don't think he is saying it's already sold, just that the new/next owner can decide about the panniers, whoever that maybe?
Just to be clear it is sold , I am delivering it to the new owner in a couple of weeks time , it will be the second bike he has had from me :-)

We are ditching the Krauser set up and I am going to supply the BMW frames loose so they can be shot blasted and powder coated at a later date
 
Last edited:
I've learned the hard way with the last airhead resto that you need to keep in touch to secure a JN rebuild lol. And although frequent readers won't require any reassurance, I can tell you from experience anything John touches can be bought unseen and without any haggling or tyre kicking, as I have for the second (and probably not the last) time.
 
Update on the pannier frame front - I had a chat with my pal who bought a R65LS new back in the day . He confirmed the one piece frame was the BMW one . He also advised that the Krauser panniers would actually fit onto the BMW frames but need an adapter bracket and lock plate . Turns out in the box of parts that came with the bike there were two lock plates so I was just missing the brackets . A quick browse on Motorworks and I can get the two missing brackets for around £40 delivered . So I decided to see what I could do with the frames with a few hours work - the result was pretty good , well useable , so these will get fitted next weekend along with the Krauser panniers after I have gave them a bit TLC , in fairness they are fully working including all of the locks/catches , it's just the base on one which has had a repair

Got the bike fired up , the timing adjusted and the carburettors balanced plus the gearbox oil in

I've got a bad exhaust leak from the LH cylinder , the sealing ring was badly corroded and I cleaned it all off but it's just not making a tight seal so I have ordered new nuts and new sealing rings

IMG_0624.jpeg
 
Last edited:


Back
Top Bottom