R65LS Restoration

[r65lsk75c]

I recently acquired a '82 R65LS and am planning on, at the very least, a cosmetic restoration this summer. Since this is my first airhead, I am basically starting from scratch. Although the bike is curently red, I plan on repainting it the original Polaris (563) silver. I imagine that I will have many questions along the way but there are a couple of items that I could use some help with now. Would anyone be able to forward a picture (preferably a left close-up) of the center-stand? The peg that is used for foot pressure to raise the bike is broken and I would like to remove the stand and have an appropriately-shaped rod welded on. I have no idea what the original piece looks like.

My second question concerns the exhaust header pipes. On this bike the cross-over immediately below the head is clamped on both sides to the exhaust pipes. Is this original or was the entire exhaust pipe system originally one piece?

Any information or suggestions on my restoration project would be appreciated.

Rick T
'82 R65LS
'87 K75C
'74 Triumph Trident
'75 Norton Commando

[lkchris]

Probably you mean centerstand rather than side stand.

The peg is broken off because someone thought it was to be used for foot pressure for raising the bike. On BMW Airheads, the only use for the peg is lowering the centerstand. Put foot on left centerstand leg to raise bike. This, BTW, is clearly explained in the owners' manual.

You can look in the microfiche at http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/fiche.asp for an illustration.

The original headers are two piece, with a clamped-on crossover.

[Yockyrides]

I've got a 1983 R65 which I purchased new in 1984 and have ridden 149,000 miles. Love it still. I have the original manuals (owner and maintenance) if you need to look up anything.

[mt4jim]

I have two '82 R65LS'. One silver and one red. How I came to have TWO is a long story...Suffice it to say that I don't buy bikes, I adopt them :dunno .

I've cleaned the bike up a bit, but it's configured as I bought it a few months ago. I've got the tank cover on tempoarily to cover a dent in the tank...It's supposed to be used on a later model airhead tank. I didn't put the deer whistles on the fairing..PO did that. It's also been lowered with shorter shocks and the front forks have been raised in the triple clamps.I'm going to bring it back to stock configuration within the next few months.

I can pretty much get you any pictures you want. I'll start with the attached. I'll try and get you some more of the area you called for. If you want more...feel free to ask or contact me off list at jimbirck@bresnan.net.

[lkchris]

Those saddlebag brackets to mount the early K-bike style bags are a pretty rare item.

I'm pretty sure BMW never made such for the R-65 and these are probably the custom ones once offered by Bob's BMW.

You're bike looks exceptionally clean except for, yes, those deer whistles.

Congratulations.

[mt4jim]

Thanks...I like the bike. Thanks for the info on the bag mounts...I wondered where they came from.

Anyone want some deer whistles? :p

[lkchris]

An original R-65 Brochure online:

http://www.beemergarage.com/documents/83r65ls.pdf

[Yockyrides]

Kent, thank you for the incredible link.
Jim, your restoration looks great.

Yaakov

[lkchris]

Another interesting, if aging, R65 link:
http://www.r65.org/

[Yockyrides]

Another great link, thanks.

[dlearl476]

Thanks...I like the bike. Thanks for the info on the bag mounts...I wondered where they came from.

Anyone want some deer whistles? :p

Why anyone would want to call deer while they're riding on a motorcycle is beyond me! :D
Beautiful bike, Jim. LS's are really special to a small displacement connoisseur like myself. I've noticed in my /5 adventures that many parts are specific to R65s. Have you had any trouble maintaining them?

Here's my little beauty, the Italian variation on a theme:

[mt4jim]

YES..verrry nice Guzzi! Looks like new! I've always thought about getting one. Just haven't gotten around to it. Waaay too many bikes in my garage right now...Maybe after I sell a few.

I've just started working the LS's so don't know how hard they will be to maintain. However, while they have a lot of "unique" parts, there's enough of them around to be able to find used parts, etc.. Anyone getting one should get the Official BMW Service Manual if they can find one. Last I heard Motobins had one...That's where I got mine.

The thing I like about the LS is that it loves to rev (for an airhead, that is). I have a couple of 980cc airheads and they are a lot slower to rev and seem to be "working" a bit when they get above 5 grand..Sort of. But, the little 650 loves it in the higher RPM range and just wants to run and run.

I have to keep an eye on the tach and make sure that I don't over rev it on our Montana highways. Lots of wide open territory here with liberal speed limits. :clap

Jim

[MarkF]

Those bikes are beauties. Guzzi and the LS. Sorry, I gotta agree here. The deer whistles gotta go. My Guzzi had the same centerstand problem. When the tang broke off the leg was weakened and bent. Had to replace the whole part. Finally, I beg you to reconsider the color. Everyone knows that red bikes are faster. :thumb

[GregFeeler]

Why anyone would want to call deer while they're riding on a motorcycle is beyond me! :D
Beautiful bike, Jim. LS's are really special to a small displacement connoisseur like myself. I've noticed in my /5 adventures that many parts are specific to R65s. Have you had any trouble maintaining them?

Here's my little beauty, the Italian variation on a theme:


WOW - that so rocks! Beautiful bike!

[dlearl476]

>YES..verrry nice Guzzi! Looks like new!

It is, actually. It's an '81 V50 Monza that was found in a crate in 1999. The owner assembled it 2000 and was forced to sell it after making a crack to his 19 year old wife that "geez honey, this bike is as old as you are and it sure looks a whole lot better." At least that's the story I got! He sold it to a friend with < than a hundred miles on it, who in turn sold it to the guy I bought it from with 2300 miles. I've put 50 miles on it so far, so it's not even ready for it's first service yet.
It's by far the best handling bike I own, 60-90 mph. As soon as I get some mid-range power issues jetted out, it will be a real screamer. OTOH, it's totally "living room" quality, but I have a '66 Ducati Monza for that.

[flash412]

>... Guzzi V50 Monza... It's by far the best handling bike I own, 60-90 mph...The Wolverine (who used to own a V50 but not the Monza) said that 90 is about all it will do. That's why she sold hers. Didn't quite have what it took for her Bay Area commute.

She's got another Moto Guzzi, a LeMans V for sale (http://flash412ebay.home.comcast.net/Bikes4Sale.htm).