Hi Guys, long time reader and I'd thought it was about time i share what I've been working on for the last few months.
The story:
I purchased the bike about 4 months ago now from an old guy who rode it around Scotland & the UK then shipped it all the way back home to New Zealand. He was a retired engineer and had a full workshop in his garage which he used to replace the whole engine in the R65 with a fresh one from the UK. Unfortunately for him his movement in his legs started to deteriorate and before long, it was too hard for him to ride. He decided to put it up for sale on a local auction site which is where I snapped it up for a very good price. It included buckets of parts and the previous spare engine which was still in good nic.
I have spent the last 3 months riding the bike as is and enjoying the beautiful summer NZ has to offer while pondering what road to go down in terms of style...cafe...brat...hmm.
Top of Piha hill - West Auckland.
I work in a custom bike shop part time while at University and see alot of amazing bikes coming through like Vincents, Triumphs, BSA, Nortons, MV Augusta's, Ducati's. We are really lucky that some of the largest motorcycle collectors in NZ use us for work on their treasures and some of the bikes would be the only example in NZ if not Australasia.
Another positive of working at the bike shop is the knowledge the guys have and the tools etc available which is really priceless.
Here is the bike when i first got it. For you guys who don't know much about BMW'S, the R65 is one of the less sought after models of airheads due to them being only 650cc, many people finding them underpowered which mean they are alot cheaper than than the R80. Of course it only being a 650, it wouldn't compete with a R100 etc but it still goes well and puts a smile on my face around the corners, due to the frame being smaller, they do handle very well compared to their bigger brothers.
The LS is different to the standard R65 with a 'Katana' styled front fairing and twin Brembo brakes at the front.
Along with us being a workshop, we also have a big stock of aftermarket parts including Motogadget speedos 8)
With the speedo in my hot little hands, the stripdown of the front began..
New Tommaselli headlight ears
Here is what she looks like to date. I have fabricated up a mount for the speedo out of some alloy plate which will be shaped and finished this week.
So this week I will wire up the speedo etc and get it all functional.
As I'm a poor student, the build will be pretty slow but will keep you all updated!
The story:
I purchased the bike about 4 months ago now from an old guy who rode it around Scotland & the UK then shipped it all the way back home to New Zealand. He was a retired engineer and had a full workshop in his garage which he used to replace the whole engine in the R65 with a fresh one from the UK. Unfortunately for him his movement in his legs started to deteriorate and before long, it was too hard for him to ride. He decided to put it up for sale on a local auction site which is where I snapped it up for a very good price. It included buckets of parts and the previous spare engine which was still in good nic.
I have spent the last 3 months riding the bike as is and enjoying the beautiful summer NZ has to offer while pondering what road to go down in terms of style...cafe...brat...hmm.
Top of Piha hill - West Auckland.
I work in a custom bike shop part time while at University and see alot of amazing bikes coming through like Vincents, Triumphs, BSA, Nortons, MV Augusta's, Ducati's. We are really lucky that some of the largest motorcycle collectors in NZ use us for work on their treasures and some of the bikes would be the only example in NZ if not Australasia.
Another positive of working at the bike shop is the knowledge the guys have and the tools etc available which is really priceless.
Here is the bike when i first got it. For you guys who don't know much about BMW'S, the R65 is one of the less sought after models of airheads due to them being only 650cc, many people finding them underpowered which mean they are alot cheaper than than the R80. Of course it only being a 650, it wouldn't compete with a R100 etc but it still goes well and puts a smile on my face around the corners, due to the frame being smaller, they do handle very well compared to their bigger brothers.
The LS is different to the standard R65 with a 'Katana' styled front fairing and twin Brembo brakes at the front.
Along with us being a workshop, we also have a big stock of aftermarket parts including Motogadget speedos 8)
With the speedo in my hot little hands, the stripdown of the front began..
New Tommaselli headlight ears
Here is what she looks like to date. I have fabricated up a mount for the speedo out of some alloy plate which will be shaped and finished this week.
So this week I will wire up the speedo etc and get it all functional.
As I'm a poor student, the build will be pretty slow but will keep you all updated!
