Checking out an R65GS this tuesday!

[LasseNC]

Hey mates,

checking out this R65GS on tuesday, not familiar with these bikes yet, so I am going to post a few pictures. Would appreciate if you could give me some pointers on what to look out for. Missing/Unoriginal parts etc.

[Rucksta]

Missing side covers.
Mirrors looks later model or 'K'
Rear pegs may be stock but look like R series road bike.
Only one I ever saw had to Denfield round rear pegs same as R80G/S

Main pegs came with a rubber insert, removable, most owners did.
Gear shift lever had a rubber cover.

Hand guards are an add on but genuine accessory for the model.
Kick start lever is sticking out too far indicates damage in the mechanism.

Finish looks rough but the rubber bits all seem to be in good condition, fork gaiters dust covers, even the reset button on the odometer seems to have survived in tact.

The seat cover is worn at the front pity.
There are screw out stand off stoppers under the seat to stop this

Luguage rack is genuine and often came packaged with a panier rack, right side only no bag might pay to ask if there is one lying arround.
Otherwise it all seems to all be there.

23,000km looks rough but genuine parts through out.
Bike looks maintained but unloved.
Is it ex-military?

[LasseNC]

Yes, ex-military.

Thanks for your reply, it does give me some insight.

The thing with the kickstarter mechanism, should I be worried? Is it a thing that will make it a no-go?

[Gimmeslack]

Definitely missing rear tread

[Rabbitson]

looks like a nice little classic!

[LasseNC]

Was planning on adding an R80, 27hp will probably be too little in the long run for me.

R80 GS bikes are not really available here in Denmark, but the R65 come plenty as they served in the military.

[Rucksta]

Originally Posted by LasseNC

Yes, ex-military.

Thanks for your reply, it does give me some insight.

The thing with the kickstarter mechanism, should I be worried? Is it a thing that will make it a no-go?

Kick starter repair can be just a matter of replacing the cotter pin that attaches the lever to the shaft.

More likely it is a bent shaft or a damaged tooth on the gear and quadrant inside the gearbox. The problem is fairly typical.
Removal of the kick starter mechanism and filling the hole with a welch plug permanantly solves the problem.
Removing the lever is an easy fix.

Next time (first time) you crack the gearbox open would be the time to addrress this. Kickstarter is up to the task of starting a 650 but starts to get stressed above 750 even if used with sensitivity which this one apparently wasn't.

27hp was the restricted vesion. 45 hp is said to be achievable by derestricting. I've not done it but I've been told its jets & airflow and easily done at little or no cost.

Big bore kits in 650s have a bad reputation for noise and reliability issues. In the end a R100s engine transplant would likely be cheaper.

[LasseNC]

Originally Posted by Rucksta

Kick starter repair can be just a matter of replacing the cotter pin that attaches the lever to the shaft.

More likely it is a bent shaft or a damaged tooth on the gear and quadrant inside the gearbox. The problem is fairly typical.
Removal of the kick starter mechanism and filling the hole with a welch plug permanantly solves the problem.
Removing the lever is an easy fix.

Next time (first time) you crack the gearbox open would be the time to addrress this. Kickstarter is up to the task of starting a 650 but starts to get stressed above 750 even if used with sensitivity which this one apparently wasn't.

27hp was the restricted vesion. 45 hp is said to be achievable by derestricting. I've not done it but I've been told its jets & airflow and easily done at little or no cost.

Big bore kits in 650s have a bad reputation for noise and reliability issues. In the end a R100s engine transplant would likely be cheaper.

What I have found so far is that the 27hp ver. uses different carburettors

48hp: Bing 64/32/359 - 64/32/360 - 32mm. carburettor
27hp: Bing 64/26/317 - 64/26/318 - 26mm. carburettor

48hp: Intake - 40mm. Exhaust - 36mm.
27hp: Intake - 34mm. Exhaust - 32mm.

Some people say there is a difference in the exhaust, however I can't find that anywhere.

[England-Kev]

Nice bike, no fuel line fitted though

[LasseNC]

Originally Posted by England-Kev

Nice bike, no fuel line fitted though

A supply of fuel to the carbs you mean? It does run :)

[England-Kev]

Originally Posted by LasseNC

A supply of fuel to the carbs you mean? It does run :)

it's Ok my mistake, I was looking at the pictures on my phone, couldn't see the fuel line! I see it now on my PC.

[LasseNC]

So I went to check it out.








It started up ok, had a sticky chokespring on the righthandside. Pulled ok I guess, never tried one before. On downshifts coming up to intersections there could be some grinding of gears if I wasn't "determined" enough I think.

Fussy starterbutton, it worked, but you had to be sensitive, corroded exhaust. Cracked tires.

Initialcost was 22900,- DKK, when I asked him he said 20000,- DKK, but that is still alot for something that needs this work I think. Wont pass the inspection with those tires or that exhaust. Did 120km/h on the highway, which it could hold fine. Throttleaction was not as "loose" as I would like to.

Wadda ya think?

[gronk]

That's about $3500USD not a bad price, low miles you can get cheap parts in Europe or the UK I use Motobins.I'd offer him 17000DKK and go from there.These bikes are pretty strong, easy to work on and lots of fun buy it you'll have a blast. Half my family is Icelandic, my moms side.

[baldwithglasses]

Would it be possible to graft on the subframe and rear suspension on the regular R65 bikes?

If so, how hard would it be to import the swingarms, exhausts, and subframes to the US for those R65 pilots who would like to GS-ify their bikes?

[blaine.hale]

I see a beach bike with TONS of potential for a horrible mess. It's a great model BMW but don't get caught up in how awesome a bike it is vs. how much trouble it's going to give you with the amount of wear that I can see just in the pictures.
You'll easily double your cost in bringing that thing back up to good shape.
That's the most negative I've been about BMW, actually. They are super easy to work on and amazing bikes, but I'm weary of bikes near salt water/sand because that stuff can ruin a bike.