Buying the bike and getting it going
I found the bike on a notice board at work, it had been there for quite a while. I viewed it on dark night and although the bike looked okay it was quite dirty and run poorly. It came complete with BMW panniers and screen. I made an offer and the bike was mine.

Once home the bike refused to start and a number of items were replaced to get it in good running order, these included all of the ignition system. The bike then ran well for around a year when it was starting poorly in cold weather, with one cylinder starting before the other, eventually traced to a faulty choke, rectified with a replacement carb. I have also done some cosmetic work, respraying the sub frame and rear wheel.

The bike runs great and feels full of character after previously owning a VFR750FR. It still amazes me how good the bike was having all original paint work and being made in 1981.

Update Oct01
I have now owned the bike for nearly two years and am still smitten. The bike has run virtually without fault since the initial fixes the only problems being:

• Oil leaking from the breather pipe into the air filter. Apparently this is a common problem on R65's and was caused by worn piston rings. Not a big problem as the nicasil barrels don't wear and a set of replacement rings is quite inexpensive and both sets can be replaced in an afternoon.
• Indicators, horn and stop light not working which was traced to a fuse. No problems since replacement.

What's good

• Build quality (BMW is the best, paint work that lasts well in all weathers and good quality alloy components)
• Comfort
• Ease of maintenance (most jobs are easy)
• Free revving engine (by air head boxer standards)
• Cheap (good bikes can be bought for around £1000 or slightly less, £1500 gets a minter)
• Classic feel

What's not good

• Not a scratcher bike, handling, braking and acceleration are all mediocre (so I bought a LeMans)
• Boring image

Please send any comments  to gary.hawksworth@btinternet.com