Indeed. I guess that makes me a classic. My first new bike was a 1981 R65.
I have fond memories of that bike... sort of like Wile E. Coyote in the Roadrunner cartoons, I did things with it that I just didn't know I wasn't supposed to be able to. I guess I was lucky that the clouds under my feet never dissipated, revealing the thin air I was on!
I presenly have a R65 1981 with a Rabid Transit fairing, heated grips and a Russel Day Long seat. Road it from Atlanta to Washington DC last year.Very nice! I have a friend in Grants Pass, OR, who has been using a similarly set up R65 as his only transportation since the mid-80s. I guess I need to get him to sign up!
Not my only bike but I love riding it. Its like a pocket rocket. Also own a R75/5 LWB 1973, R90/6 1975, and a R1100RTL 1996, my newest bike. Says something about me. When I moved her 15 years ago I had 2 R60/2's one with a SC. Sold them both. I wish now I had kepy one. Maybe someday I buy a R69S. Got a string on a 1954 R68 I'm trying to talk the owner out of. 8)
It is so good to see the forum back on-line. As an admin of web systems myself I knew that there was a problem with the version on the old system, but my emails of warning were never responded to. I am hoping that the old data was backed up someplace so we can have the 'wisdom' that so many contributed to the cause.
Thanks to the new web admin for working on the site.
I am posting to say that while my daily rider is a R60/2 I have a 1980 R65 that was my first modern BMW (modern is defined as having a button (electric start!)) and after some time being abused by a friend, I am in the process of getting it back on the road. I have gotten 1981 Nikisil jugs and matching pistons for it, but can't seem to make the time to finish it. I have one side mounted, so I am close to being done.
Once it runs OK, I need to replace the drive shaft spring and do the fork seals and new tires.
There is something special about that bike and I look forward to riding it to work and on short trips.
Ron Angert VBMWMO #6949
Newport VA USA
Rider of Old Bikes
'68 R60 - '80 R65 - '81 R100/Terraplane
In 1978 the Factory hired a film crew to make a movie in Southern California about a guy in a 3 Series and his adventures. I got to film a scene with Art Scholl whoi did air shows and stunts for the movies. I got picked to ride the R65 as I could fit the leathers the factory sent and wanted in the movie.
Long story short, I had checked the tank earlier that day. Apparently someone drained a gallon or more, to run a generator, we found out later.
My instructions were to ride R65 as fast as it would go as Art lowered the Pitts (to almost a stall) about 20-25 feet behind me. We rehearsed it twice and went for the shot.
As I heard him behind me, the bike's main tank went dry, but instead of reaching for the petcock, I leaned to the right and swerved out of Art's way. He hit the gas and went straight up. The prop manager got a severe lecture. We got te bike refilled and made the shot twice with no further problems.
I have pictures of Art and I "flying" across the desert lake bed at El Mirage, California. I only saw the segment once. That was at the BMW Dealer Meeting in 1980 in Palm Springs, Cal.
Nick
RD Arizona and Nevada
1954 R68/1951 Steib S500R
I guess I was lucky that the clouds under my feet never dissipated, revealing the thin air I was on!
