The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: wilcom on January 17, 2026, 04:48:48 PM

Title: R65 dash pad nor fitting....LS to standard R65
Post by: wilcom on January 17, 2026, 04:48:48 PM

I am converting a LS dash to the standard R65 and I'm having a fitment problem. I'm using a LS headlight plate with the turrn signal stalks cut off and the the brackets for the fairing removed.

I "assumed" that the two pates were identical with those two exceptions., but I may be wrong! You can seein the picture the fitment issue and there is nothing to adjust

I have an extra LS headlight plate but to Standard R65 plate to compare to.      Does any one have knowledge if these two plates are the same dimension wise?

This project is in full stop mode till I get over this hurdle

Title: Re: R65 dash pad nor fitting....LS to standard R65
Post by: Barry on January 18, 2026, 04:19:51 AM

I would look at the part nos for the brackets to see if they are the same or different.

Title: Re: R65 dash pad nor fitting....LS to standard R65
Post by: wilcom on January 18, 2026, 05:19:13 PM

Thanks Barry, yes they are different part numbers. I knew that , but my thinking the differences were the length of the turn signal stalks and the brackets for the fairing, Those stalks and fairing mounts made no difference to me as I was cutting off the stalks and taking off the fairing mounts. Low and behold there is a subtle difference with the spacing of the ignition switch, less than a 1/2 inch and not detectable if you aren't looking for it.  Alas that subtle 1/2 inch has thrown a spanner into my soup.

I\am now looking for a standard R65 front headlight plate!!!

Thanks again for your reply Barry

Title: Re: R65 dash pad nor fitting....LS to standard R65
Post by: Bob_Roller on January 18, 2026, 06:44:28 PM

I just went out to look at my bikes .
The LS bracket is different from the standard R65.
The ears that the headlight bucket bolts to is about 1 inch longer than the standard R65 part .
Can't see any other differences .
So the LS headlight bucket is an inch farther forward than the standard R65 . .

Title: Re: R65 dash pad nor fitting....LS to standard R65
Post by: wilcom on January 19, 2026, 12:21:25 AM

The turn signal ears I'm not using..... the ignition switch is lower on the LS. In the pic you can see the difference, it is an LS plate and a standard R65 dash pad

Title: Re: R65 dash pad nor fitting....LS to standard R65
Post by: georgesgiralt on January 20, 2026, 03:38:53 AM

Hi !
I can confirm that the LS version can't hold a standard dash. You need the proper plate for this to work. I discovered it when I removed the fairing of my R65RT (bought new in 1984)....
I was given an LS plate so I tried to use it and it does not...
Hope this helps.