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1965 R69s w/4100 miles

germancarguy
Posts: 60
Joined: Mon May 09, 2022 9:28 am

1965 R69s w/4100 miles

Post by germancarguy »

I am very excited to pick up a 1965 R69s w/4100 miles. It has been sitting since 1975 and was owned by a childhood friend. The bike has Craven bags with top case and a Wixom fairing. I have been riding BMW's since 1979 and currently have a 2012 GS. The plan is not to open the motor unless I find a reason to do so. And do a recommission vs. restoration and keep it as original as possible.
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1962 R69s
2013 R1200GS

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schrader7032
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Re: 1965 R69s w/4100 miles

Post by schrader7032 »

Welcome to the forum! So what kind of German cars are you into? BMW...Audi...Porsche...Mercedes? All very nice.

Hope you can bring the bike back to life. Is there a story to why it's been sitting so long? The top case is also a Wixom.

As for motor work, at 4100 miles hopefully there won't be anything that needs attention inside. It's always a roll of the dice. The slingers are likely not full at all but the first few starts could scrub off the crud from inside the engine and right into the slingers. Then again, maybe just dropping the pan and cleaning out the sludge will be all that's needed. Do you have any info on the maintenance history? Kind of oil that was being used? Some info could help decide your future restoration.

Keep us informed!! More pictures if/when you get them.
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.

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vechorik1373
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Re: 1965 R69s w/4100 miles

Post by vechorik1373 »

Wonderful find!

However, I will offer you my thoughts concerning your bike. While the oil slingers are not anywhere even close to full, you probably will have problems with oil seals when you start running the bike.

When oil seals get old, (and all of yours are OLD) they get rock hard, and loose their elasticity. So don't be surprised if it leaks oil at the rear main seal, and the cardan seal on the final drive after you start running it. Oil leaks at the cardan seal will put oil all over your rear brake shoes, and ruin them. Also, the chances of the drive shaft boot being cracked from old age is almost 100%. Stretch it with your fingers, and look for cracks. If it is cracked, replace it.
And, needless to say, put some fresh tires on it!
Vech
Technical Adviser, Former owner, Bench Mark Works
662 312 2838 cell 9 am to 4pm CST PLEASE!

germancarguy
Posts: 60
Joined: Mon May 09, 2022 9:28 am

Re: 1965 R69s w/4100 miles

Post by germancarguy »

I plan on replacing all the oil seals and rubber bits. When the flywheel is off I thought I might have it balanced along with the clutch assy. as well as replacing all the cables and fuel petcocks and lines. The wheels will come off, inspected and serviced as well as new tires tubes etc.. What do you suggest for replacement tires and what do you recommend to service the ignition and charging ?
1962 R69s
2013 R1200GS

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kingcowie
Posts: 63
Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2020 1:29 pm
Location: Wollongong

Re: 1965 R69s w/4100 miles

Post by kingcowie »

I recently got a r69s and had a couple of months of poor starting, chased down the wrong rabbit hole thinking it was carby.
Rebuilt the carbies, changed the floats,fixed a tickler.
But in the end i had a failing (but not failed) coil. Each time i checked the spark i had spark most of the time. Changed spark plugs but still no luck starting.

Finally i ordered a new coil and condenser and changed out both, set up static timing and boom first kick start.

So my advice is to inspect coil, looking for spongy and leaking resin and replace if suspect.

I have attached the photos of the failing coil and the new coil. You can see on the end of the coil where the resin has started to leak out.

I am still investigating the 12v charging systems.
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Shane
Wollongong, Australia
Tooo many projects —— oh well
53 R25/3 Project
57 R26 Project
62 R50/2 Restored
64 R50/2 Project
67 R69S Original
71 R75/5 Original
77 R100RS Project

germancarguy
Posts: 60
Joined: Mon May 09, 2022 9:28 am

Re: 1965 R69s w/4100 miles

Post by germancarguy »

After a good power-wash and close inspection, all the frame and heavy bits need to be disassembled and powder-coated. The painted parts were also in sad shape, so its a full tear down and repaint. Pin-stripping has been photographed and measured for the post paint work. The inside of the gas tank looks like new after a good cleaning, which is nice. All of the parts have gone out to their respective vendors and I have started on the wheels and running gear. All new stainless steel hardware, axles and spokes have been ordered. The engine will be resealed and the top end disassembled and refreshed at 4100 miles and the oil still very clean, I will not bother with the slingers. As for the suspension new shocks, springs, bushings and all new Timken bearings. This is going to take a while but I am enjoying the whole process and look forward finished product.
1962 R69s
2013 R1200GS

Daves79x
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Re: 1965 R69s w/4100 miles

Post by Daves79x »

Your bike, but purists frown at powder coat. Also stainless, but if you have all-original hardware, lots of guys will take that. Actually, lots of guys would like to have a 4100 mile bike to restore.

Dave
Dave

germancarguy
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Joined: Mon May 09, 2022 9:28 am

Re: 1965 R69s w/4100 miles

Post by germancarguy »

R69s-first_day.jpg
I would have gone down the restore as new path had the bike been in better cosmetic condition. It would have been even better and a lot less costly to bring it back as a survivor. But the intent is to refurbish it as a cosmetically clean rider that I don't have to fret about getting it wet or dirty. I was amazed at the toll time, moisture and mouse urine took on this nice old machine. Not to mention the amount of rust in all the timken bearings. I have been down the purist approved route before and found I did not ride it, I am retired and try to ride 200-300 miles a week on my 2013 GS and hope to add this bike to the rotation.
1962 R69s
2013 R1200GS

Daves79x
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Re: 1965 R69s w/4100 miles

Post by Daves79x »

Yes, sitting for years in a unfriendly environment is murder on these things. Totally agree about riding these bikes. I did two pretty original restorations and still actually ride the bikes. The re-plated original hardware is holding up just fine. That said, if you are going the stainless route, I'd love to buy your old hardware.

This will be a really great bike to ride when you're done, no matter what route you take!

Dave
Dave

Douglass
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Re: 1965 R69s w/4100 miles

Post by Douglass »

The fairing appears to me to be a Heinrich fairing. Is it aluminum?
Douglass

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