The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: Kikemon on August 01, 2025, 05:27:49 PM

Title: R65LS Cowl Glossiness Question
Post by: Kikemon on August 01, 2025, 05:27:49 PM

I have a new-to-me '83 R65LS on its way to me now. It is in excellent condition and shouldn't need too much, but I was going to go through it and make sure everything is as it should be.

One sort of esoteric thing I was going to look at is the finish on the black instrument cowl. This bike, like all of the LSs that I have seen, has a finish on the cowl that looks like it was once glossy black but now has assorted dings and oxidized areas. I was wondering if anyone could confirm that the original finish on the cowl was glossy black before I go and polish it up. Thanks!

Title: Re: R65LS Cowl Glossiness Question
Post by: Barry on August 02, 2025, 04:02:52 AM

I don't believe it was gloss. Does this help

https://daviddreesen.blogspot.com/p/brochure-bmw-r65-ls.html (https://daviddreesen.blogspot.com/p/brochure-bmw-r65-ls.html)

Title: Re: R65LS Cowl Glossiness Question
Post by: Bob_Roller on August 02, 2025, 09:33:59 AM

I've got three LS bikes and they all have a gloss finish.

Title: Re: R65LS Cowl Glossiness Question
Post by: georgesgiralt on August 02, 2025, 11:42:40 AM

Hello!
Disclaimer: I never owned an LS. Even if now, I would like to own one...
I've in front of me the original BMW Brochure for 1983 describing the R45, R65 and the R65 LS.
On the picture, the front cowl is mat. As the picture is taken, if it was shiny, it would have reflected the lighting like the red paint did.
But, on the other hand, I'm aware that BMW took pictures of bikes and accessories to put in the sales brochure and, actually, the production bike or accessories where different...
So who knows ?  :Norton:
Maybe someone having bought it's R65LS new can answer this properly.

Title: Re: R65LS Cowl Glossiness Question
Post by: Bob_Roller on August 05, 2025, 04:04:11 PM

I did a Google search for BMWR65LS . A page came up with thumbnail photos and some were gloss and some were not ! So go figure !!

Title: Re: R65LS Cowl Glossiness Question
Post by: Kelvin on August 05, 2025, 05:45:03 PM

The cowl is smooth black plastic. If you put a product like armour all on it it comes up glossy, if you just use soap and water it will, with time, look more matt. I've seen them with black paint, which looks a bit weird. If you're curious about what it looked like before 40 years of sun damage and insect strikes, look underneath: the inside surface had the same finish.