The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: razz2234 on October 24, 2009, 07:45:09 AM

Title: 1981 R65 Speedo replacement
Post by: razz2234 on October 24, 2009, 07:45:09 AM

Was wondering if there were any Speedos out there that are better than the stock on the 1981 R65. Those speedo's go up to 80mph only and don't have the KPH numbers inserted. Any suggestions? I'd prefer to keep it in the fashion it's in rather than have a digital and would hope that it would be a simple procedure.
Thanks

Title: Re: 1981 R65 Speedo replacement
Post by: Bob_Roller on October 24, 2009, 08:17:40 AM

You can replace the speedometer, just be certain that the small code at the bottom of the face of the speedometer, are the same, it should be : W1318 .

The 85 mph speedometers, are reputed to be the most accurate  .

Title: Re: 1981 R65 Speedo replacement
Post by: nhmaf on October 24, 2009, 01:46:47 PM

Yes, the 85 MPH speedometers are generally quite accurate.  The 140 MPH speedos , even with the correct ratio match to the final drive ratio were generally from 5% to 10% inaccurate as far as speed indication goes (odometers are generall spot on though).  One decodes the Wxxxx code number at the bottom of the speedo and matches with the final drive ratio stamped into the top of the final drive for proper matchup)   If using a nonmatching speedo without sending out out to be regeared&recalibrated will result in both speed and odometer readings being off by various amounts.

W1318 is for 3.56 final drive ratio
W1276 is for 3.44 final drive ratio

Other numbers are for other final drive ratios fitted to the larger bikes.

Title: Re: 1981 R65 Speedo replacement
Post by: montmil on October 24, 2009, 07:30:05 PM

I kinda like the 80 mph number. I can truthfully tell my Nagasaki riding buds at work that I can easily "peg the speedometer" on my Beemer. I know their KawaYamaZuki speedos run upwards to 160+. They never look at my 80 mph-er.

Monte

Title: Re: 1981 R65 Speedo replacement
Post by: larstorders on October 25, 2009, 07:05:23 AM

I made the decision to keep my R65 clocks as standard and had to cough up big bucks for a new speedo from a BM dealer, because no used replacement was available at the time and I didn't want to miss  prime riding opportunities. Well sink me! if the tacho (a recent used replacement) didn't break a few weeks later. Leaving me thinking that a combined digital speedo/tacho would have been the best way to go for me.

Title: Re: 1981 R65 Speedo replacement
Post by: montmil on October 25, 2009, 08:17:46 AM

This Vapor is fitted to my 1981 R65. I'm considering adding one to the 1983 R65. The upgrade, IMO, lightens the R65's front end, both visually and mechanically. Positive comments from the BMW crowd during the recent Lake O' the Pines Vintage Rally.     Monte

http://www.trailtech.net/75-704.html

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi196.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faa1%2Fmontmil%2FBMW%2520R65%2FDSCF0006_1.jpg&hash=073d8e1c7ad1e3f40c33ee62d5aeddea280b23da)