Advice/Expertise Needed! 1981 R65 purchase looming

[falconati]

Hi gang,

I found a really clean 1981 R65 for sale, and I want it.  It's clean and only has 30k miles on it.  What should I be asking about this airhead?  Any pitfalls, major issues?  I think it would be a really cool bike to own, I just don't want to get hosed with a bike with a bunch of issues - I don't have the time or patience to do a lot of maintenance.

Any help, thoughts, or advice would be appreciated!

Jeff

[Rincewind]

I love those old airhead R-bikes.  There is one that has been passing my house recently.  

 

Google found this informative thread.  

[MisterSmooth]

Google found this informative thread.  

Wow.  That's such an informative thread that it pretty much kills this one!    Could there be anything that even the EOE can add to this?  Nice find, Rincewind.  

[cbsnbiker]

Here are a few thoughts.

First off, a major resource is the Airheads list: Airheads@micapeak.com

Airheads are fun motorcycles. I own one. They were very good bikes in the day. Today they're decades old -- still good, but not modern.

The R65 is a bit of an oddity in the Airhead lineup. It's a short-stroke version of the Airhead engine, and it has its own frame and other parts. Not all airhead parts fit the R65, making finding parts for it a bit more difficult than for most airheads of that vintage (but still easier than for most Japanese bikes of that vintage)

It's not very high HP -- maybe 45? But it's a pleasant bike.

The Airheads people can tell you all the things to look out for on airheads in general, and the R65 in particular.

One that comes to mind (for airheads in general of that vintage) is that the valve seats weren't built for unleaded gas. Most have been converted. If those haven't been, you'll face that at some point. You'll know if the valves keep closing up in between services (the service interval is 5K miles).

[falconati]

Wow, thanks gang.  Lots of info.  As much as my heart wants it, I feel like I should wait until I have enough space to work on bikes (I live in an apartment)

[cbsnbiker]

Wow, thanks gang.  Lots of info.  As much as my heart wants it, I feel like I should wait until I have enough space to work on bikes (I live in an apartment)

Airheads regularly have get-togethers where they work on each other's bikes. Maybe there's a club in your area.

On another note, is Madison as motorcycle-friendly a city as I remember? My last visit on the bike was in '99, and I was very impressed.

[falconati]

It's fine - it's even more bike-friendly.  Great riding in the area, but lots of junky pavement and magical gravel in corners.  I've learned to slow down.

[Cheddarhead]

I've learned to slow down.

Somehow, I'm having a hard time believing that...

When you trade the MV for an FJR I'll "know" that you have indeed sipped from the forbidden jug of kool-aid!

[falconati]

I'm looking at a Stelvio, not an FJR!  

[jsanford]

Wow, thanks gang.  Lots of info.  As much as my heart wants it, I feel like I should wait until I have enough space to work on bikes (I live in an apartment)

Meh--someone I know had one while in an apartment, and went to a lot of Airhead tech days and managed just fine.

Besides, you might want to stay in the apartment...I got a garage, and somehow there are four motorcycles in it, and they all tend to need an oil change at the same time.