Description
1982 BMW R65LS, 24000 miles, all ready to go. I imagine there may be a better one somewhere in the country but you would be hard pressed to find it, read on to see why.
The R65, pre mono lever, was maybe the best BMW made for use in the real world. It is not too big and heavy as the later bikes but has plenty of power, modern handling and brakes. This was when BMW introduced a smaller frame, lighter flywheel, electronic ignition and for post 1980 bikes 50 hp. Only 50 hp! (the same as the sports Triumph Bonneville of the 1970’s) If you need a modern 100 hp bike then look away but in real terms it has plenty of get up and go. The R65LS was the top of the range R65 and features special light weight alloy wheels with twin discs, stylish seat and a special paint finish.
Little is known about the early life of this machine, there is no known history until around 2000 when it was put into storage. It was then bought by the previous owner who overhauled the bike and used it. The most significant thing done was to replace the disc brakes and associated bits plus new Michelin Road Classic tyres and Koni shock absorbers.
In 2024 I took over the bike and have continued the restoration.
On the mechanicals side all the fluids and filters have been changed, including brake fluid. The splines between the gearbox and drive shaft have been lubricated with the special BMW grease so they should be good for another 25, 000 miles. I did manage to spill oil on the rear brake shoes so they have been renewed. Carburettors cleaned and new diaphragms fitted, wheel bearings checked, steering head bearings greased and adjusted (more on this later). Basically I went though everything from front to back to be sure it was in first class condition.
For cosmetics the most obvious thing was the silver paintwork has been professionally redone using genuine BMW paint. It looks superb (but it should, it cost a small fortune). The lower part of the tank is of course black, this is difficult to do correctly but this one is 100% correct in that the black is where it should be, it is the actual BMW black, and there is no discernable edge with the silver paint. Well, I’m impressed.
The wheels and frame have also been repainted and all the aluminium deep cleaned. All the rubber parts, handlebar rubbers and footrest rubbers are new genuine BMW. Check out the pictures. The front exhaust pipes are new, stainless, and mate with the stainless silencers.
The bike is fitted with pannier frames and there are a pair of BMW panniers in good order.
The bike has had a couple of extras. The standard horn has been replaced by a twin horn setup, (with relay). The front indicators have had white lenses fitted with LED bulbs. With the lights on they shine white but change to orange when indicating. The orange lenses come with the bike if you want to change it back to standard.
When I had finished fettling the bike I took it to a local independent BMW specialist to be checked over. He checked ignition timing, balanced the carburettors, torqued the heads and checked valve clearance and adjusted the steering head bearings, (after telling me off for having set them too tight). He test rode the bike of course and described it as ‘delightful’.
So why it for sale? A few reasons: I have too many bikes, I need the money to pay for my next project and mostly because I have a problem with my left wrist which makes using a clutch lever painful after a time so I use an automatic mostly.
The bike is in Halifax, can be seen most anytime, I think the price is quite reasonable and a fair bit less than has been spent on it. As a classic bike insurance costs are reasonable and no road tax or MOT to pay.
Graham
