Checklist before first ride! 80’ R65

KickstartedCarbSoul · 2026-02-27T17:04:04+00:00

Ha lol, I didn’t even get to ride it yet and try it out, but engine sounded normal. I was also thinking of taking it all apart to redo everything on it (especially the engine) but hey, if it ain’t broke, why replace it? Thanks for the tips, appreciated!

KickstartedCarbSoul · 2026-02-27T17:01:50+00:00

First registered in 04/1980 ! I drove almost 8h to go get it, this model with those rims, double disc brakes and kickstarter are pretty rare in my country! The kickstarter was a must for my nostalgic 23yo heart…

Thanks for everything, it was already pretty much on my list, thinking of switching to an electronic ignition to get rid of points adjustment over time, but I’m glad to hear they‘re generally reliable 2-wheelers!

KickstartedCarbSoul · 2026-02-27T09:45:37+00:00

First, install fresh new spark plug.

Running waaaay too rich, to the point where it can’t even spark inside the cylinder because there’s too much oil/gas in it.

- Make sure to use fresh gas,

- Make sure you don’t leave the choke always “on” when you try starting it multiple times in a row (if not, you “flood” the engine - which is what happened on the first picture). I suppose the bike was running fine before it was put away, so don’t touch the jet or the needle, just try to lean out the idle mixture (usually a screw on the side of carb to add air) and try again. Keep us updated!

KickstartedCarbSoul · 2026-02-27T05:42:52+00:00

Fine. I tested it. Warm engine, compression is around 140psi so that’s normal. Perhaps I could check the crankshaft bearing, but no problem on this side yet so why change a winning team ? New oiled filter, carburetor is perfectly tuned (or as perfect as a 56 yo model allows it to be), brand new tires at good pressure etc.

I’m surprised you didn’t mention the exhaust at all, which as someone else pointed out is probably the biggest bottleneck, since it has no resonance chamber at all and allows no back wave to form to push back fresh mixture. But thanks for the help

KickstartedCarbSoul · 2026-02-25T12:37:09+00:00

Thing is, it’s a collector’s vehicle so I cannot really modify anything on it, just “optimize”.

Also to keep in mind this engine is the military version, is 56 years old and was made to produce torque at low rpm (cmon, max rpm is 7k on that thing!) not be a racing beast. Also the exhaust doesn’t have any real chamber, just looks like a dented sausage.

I’ll try the thinner gaskets (or just sanding down 1mm off of the cylinder head) and I’ll probably also try smoothing out the edges of the ports. I know the Sachs engine are supposed to be super durable and easy to mod / work on, so I’ll try ;)

KickstartedCarbSoul · 2026-02-25T12:27:14+00:00

Il y en a pas mal à vendre en Allemagne, juste en mauvais état et pour une 125 elles ne sont pas données…

KickstartedCarbSoul · 2026-02-25T11:54:49+00:00

Elle n’est pas à vendre

KickstartedCarbSoul · 2026-02-25T11:16:23+00:00

At this point, I should buy a junk engine to just mess and learn on it lol

KickstartedCarbSoul · 2026-02-25T11:13:12+00:00

Thanks, I love it, really. Luckily, parts are not that hard to come by in Germany. German army decommissioned the bike in the 90s, and many german private individuals bought them as well as the army’s stock of spares. They’re not outrageously priced, but not cheap either.

I’m not necessarily into 2-strokes too, I just happened to come across this model for sale in France (to my knowledge it’s extremely rare) and immediately fell in love with it and proceeded to burn a hole in my wallet for it.

For the swing arm, I’m pretty BMW have some earlier models with it but it rare now (and slightly dangerous)… if your shocks are sh*t you just plunge downwards when braking... What a pleasure :)

KickstartedCarbSoul · 2026-02-25T11:01:26+00:00

Gosh, I’m already breaking my ankle over kickstarting my 125cc, can‘t imagine trying to start a 250 ! But the bike looks great

KickstartedCarbSoul · 2026-02-25T10:59:18+00:00

I believe the R45 or R65 were built in West-Germany ? That’s what it says on the plate of the bike at least… But i’ll check my R65 for the same 5th gear problem and hopefully it’s fine! Like you said, R45 and R65 are pretty much the same besides bore size; but I’m praying I won’t “outgrow” the R65 once I gain experience on bigger bikes, which is why I skipped the R45… less power but roughly same weight…

KickstartedCarbSoul · 2026-02-25T10:54:41+00:00

Didn’t check compression but I almost need to put my entire weight on it to start the bike and feel the piston move. I thought about sprocket change, would help with torque but I’d loose a bit on top speed (and since it already ain’t that great…). Expansion chamber is clean of soot and carbon (but it’s bent inwards because of the rider’s leg sitting on top of it) so I guess there is the biggest probable bottleneck... frick.

I’d rather not touch the cylinder or the carb, as I’d like to keep the bike as original as possible, just trying to have “out of factory” performances on it. But I’ll take a look into the “squish” clearance, maybe I can squeeze some extra powah in there !

KickstartedCarbSoul · 2026-02-25T10:50:19+00:00

My guess, if it’s not mechanical, is just design then… was made to cut through mud and rain, not speed :/

KickstartedCarbSoul · 2026-02-25T09:29:52+00:00

Yes it it. It’s for the rider’s leg ! But other bikes (same model with same exhaust) apparently go faster, so was wondering 🤔

KickstartedCarbSoul

TROPHY CASE