81 R65 Restoration

Finally finished the R65 restoration. I purchased this bike nearly 15 years ago, originally for my wife. My intention was to get it done sooner but a major house remodel and a multitude of other excuses kept it sitting in the garage. The bike was originally stored unprotected at water's edge here at the San Diego Yaght Club by the original owner so you can only imagine the corrosion and degradation from the salt air exposure. It was a mess. I did a complete ground up restoration except for the final drive, forks and transmission. Surprisingly enough the tank, seat and fender paint is original. It buffed-out beautifully. Complete top end with all new upgraded valves, seats, guides and rings. What a fun little bike! I have about 1200 miles on it since the rebuild and it's settling-in better than ever expected. I can't remember ever having this much fun - great experience and nothing short of a labor of love for all the hours invested. I'm including a photo link of most every process in hopes these photos will aid any of you thinking about doing a restoration or repair. I tried to capture most of the work in a somewhat organized tutorial format. Unfortunately I don't have a web site - that's my next big venture along with many more restorations...I hope. Love doing this. If you're interested ; after opening the link individual folders will be at the left of the blank screen for you to view. Many thanks go out to those that helped in the process; physically and spiritually - you know who you are. I'm a big believer in keeping these bikes running and on the road...nothing like 'em!

http://s428.photobucket.com/albums/qq8/gruntyman66/81 R650 Restoration/

Lovely work, Mike. I had an '83 for years in the 80s, and my wife another '83 in the mid-90s, both were black. Your machine brings back nice memories!

These are such underrated bikes - especially the giggle factor. Life cruising at 5500rpm on the freeway is certainly alien to many airheads. But they are most fun in town, tight roads, etc.

jforgo,
Couldn't agree with you more. This bike is a kick in the pants in the local canyons. Very quick and responsive and the carve factor is nothing short of exhilarating. These 650 motors really like to spin and act almost like a 2-stroke. It'll run down the interstate at 75 all day long. I think they're very under rated and I'm a bit surprised they aren't more popular. Light nimble and quick - an important part of the family with strong blood lines.

I didn't know you were an artist Mike. That is a work of art. Great job! Does the Guggenheim Foundation have your phone number? Cheers.
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Uniquely/BMWInTheCommunity/ArtoftheMotorcycle.aspx

Great job!

Should be good inspiration for me to get off my duff and do same with mine.

I like the silver Brembos. Is that how they came or a choice (I assume its paint)? I may follow suit. It sure cleans things up down there.

Annap,

Those are dual ATE's. Stock set-up that year. They were frozen solid when I started and took quite some time getting life back to them. I am impressed with these brakes! They work! Here's the rebuild...

http://s428.photobucket.com/albums/qq8/gruntyman66/81 R650 Restoration/Front Brakes 5-09/

One of the nicest resotrations I have seen. How about a link to a Photobucket extravangza?

Duh. Smart minds think alike ---- just at different times. LOL.

30064 said:

http://s428.photobucket.com/albums/qq8/gruntyman66/81 R650 Restoration/

Click to expand...

dap,

I had a link in the first post (posted above in the quote). When you click on the link you'll see a blank screen, but look to the left where I have all the individual albums for different processes. Just choose a link you want to view for pictures. I have included text below the pictures in most cases.

Mike,

Great pictorial. I wish I had documented my restorations from the beginning as well as you have. I like the detail.

I can also see that you took great pains to clean the engine cases by whatever means available. Duplication is the sincerest form of flattery. I'll be using some of your ideas.

I have been very careful with the cleaning and restoration of major engine and general components ----- including BEAD-BLASTING. Yea, according to the purists on this board, I am going straight to hell. But ---------- I'll be riding my airheads.

Duh!

BTW --- it's e-x-t-r-a-v-a-g-a-n-z-a

Paint / pin striping

Hi Mike,

You mention buffing out the paint. I would love to buff out my 85 R80RT's paint, but I don't really want to re-do the pin striping. Is there any way around it?
BTW: your paint and pin striping look fantastic!

Thanks,
Jer

Jer,
I used a very fine rubbing paste, 3m I think? Then followed with Meguiar's Polish and Meguiar's Wax. I was careful to stay away from the striping. The paint was in excellent condition when I started outside of a lot of aging film and a coat of collective dirt and grime. Only minor scratches and web swirls - you know how unforgiving black paint can be. I think the coat of dirt and grime was a dubious blessing in a way and served as a way of protecting the paint all those years. Even though the bike was uncovered in my garage, it was always protected from the harmful exposure to the CA sun.

Experiment in a small area with low reveal. You may be surprised. I would start with a very low grit (light abrasive) polish and maybe work up to a fine rubbing compound if the scratches and swirls don't dissapear. Keep an eye on your application cloth and the amount of paint being removed. Light application pressure in a circular pattern with linear buffing using a soft clean cloth.