The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: Mr_Smart on May 06, 2007, 07:46:32 AM
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Hi all.
I`m contemplating the acquisition of ANOTHER R65 to ride whilst I fettle my 1978 workhorse.
I`m looking at a 1983 model which appears remarkably similar.
The only obvious differences I can see are the Domed top Bings.
My 78`s are Flat top type.
Are there any other significant alterations to the R65 between 1978 and 1983 that are worth commenting on..?
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A few things that come to mind are:
- Brembo caliper instead of ATE.
- Rectangular master cylinder reservoir.
- Brake lines are different.
- Seat and tail-cowl are different.
- Transmission and clutch related components are different.
- Choke lever on handlebar clutch lever perch.
- Airbox and air filter are totally different.
- Electronic ignition instead of points.
- Dual output coil instead of two separate coils.
- Fuses are "blade" type and located at end of top frame spine instead of under r/h side cover.
I'm sure there are other differences but I'm not awake yet...
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In addition to the changes Justin noted, here's a generally accepted description of the basic differences between the model years, excerpted from the larger site, http://www.roadkill.com/~davet/moto/R65.faq.html
CHRONOLOGY
1979:
* R65 introduced in USA.
* Colors: "champagne" (pale gold) and "bronco" (brown)
* Single front disk brake w/ATE caliper, rear drum.
1980:
Detuning (leaned) carburetion changes for emissions, with no other changes to make up for it, resulting in a slight performance loss. BMW RA calls the 1980 R65 "the worst BMW ever made."
1981:
* Colors: turquoise blue, red, ?
* Dual front disk brakes with ATE calipers.
* Hundreds of small improvements to all BMW boxers, from which the R65 benefitted as well. Major improvements:
o Electronic ignition
o 40% lighter flywheel (revs & shifts easier)
o Nikasil lining in cylinders
o Plastic airbox & "pure air" system (allows richening of carburetion while still meeting emissions regulations)
o Larger valves (by 2mm each)
o Additional crossover pipe in exhaust
o Larger oil pan (increases oil capacity by .2 quart)
o More cushioning in driveshaft Y throttle cable with splitter instead of two cables. (Many don't consider this an improvement.)
1982:
* R65LS introduced.
* Slight carburetion changes (idle jet & needle position) to all R65s.
* Non-LS R65s all have a single front disk brake, with ATE caliper.
* R65LS gets the dual front disk brakes, with Italian Brembo calipers. (See r65ls.faq)
1983:
* Colors: turquoise, black, ?
* Every year, BMW fiddled with the needle position and idle jet on the carburetors, but these bikes remained basically the same.
1984:
Last year of R65LS and dual-shock R65 model.
1985:
* R65 gets the same monoshock frame as the other boxers.
* Few are imported; post '84 R65s are rare in the USA.
* For '85 and newer, get the R80 or R100 instead. Great
* chassis, more cojones.
Of course, these are U.S. model differences, but should serve as a good general overview.
Good luck! [smiley=thumbup.gif]
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According to Haynes
Seat Height
R45 and R65 up to 1980 - 770mm (30.3 inches)
R45 1981 on, R65 1981-85, R65LS - 810mm (31.9 inches)
Overall Length
R45 and R65 up to 1980 - 2180mm (85.8 inches)
R45 1981 on, R65 1981-85, R65LS - 2110mm (83.1 inches)
Wheel Base
R45 and R65 up to 1980 - 1390mm (54.7 inches)
R45 1981 on, R65 1981-85, R65LS - 1400 (55.1 inches)
Overall width, Overall Height, Ground Clearance, Kerb Weight, and maximum permissible weight appear to be the same for the 1978-80 and 1981-85 R45 and R65 models
It seems odd to me that the 1981-85 R65 is listed as having a longer wheelbase and a shorter overall length.
My personal preference is for the 1981-85 models that do not have the contact breaker.
Paul
83 R65
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You know the 1980 R65 might just be the worst but it still got me from Jacksonville to Sandieggo in 44 hours and 36 minutes then to Montana, then over the Monarch Pass (11,312' MSL) in Colorado while hauling my ass, three of the largest Givi Bags, a three gallon Boat aux fuel tank, a Helentwowheels bag and a Winston Fly rod behind a draggy Luftmeister Fairing. Not bad for a 26 year old motorcycle.
Not bad at all. ;)
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1981 model year is known to suffer from premature valve wear, due to a materials change in the valve seats. Mine were wore out at 45,000 miles.
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1982:
* R65LS introduced.
* Slight carburetion changes (idle jet & needle position) to all R65s.
* Non-LS R65s all have a single front disk brake, with ATE caliper.
* R65LS gets the dual front disk brakes, with Italian Brembo calipers. (See r65ls.faq)
I know of one 82 R65 that has Brembo single caliper brakes. Mine bought new in May of 82.
Don
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1981 model year is known to suffer from premature valve wear, due to a materials change in the valve seats. Mine were wore out at 45,000 miles.
That problem lasted for several years; I don't remember what year BMW finally admitted something was wrong and came up with different valve seat material. Snowbum has a pretty extensive (of course!) article on his web site. Having said that, I'm over 50,000 miles with no troubles. The failure point is difficult to predict, but apparently it was worse for the bigger bikes.
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The wh8la2 had the heads done over at 55000 miles - new seats and valves in the exhaust due to receding valves: 0.1 mm per 500 miles.
greetings from a windy north
trolle
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I did a part-for-part comparison study a few years back and came to the conclusion that some 85+%
of the parts on a '79 R65 are different from those on the '84 model.
As mentioned before, everything from most all engine pieces to frame, swingarm, subframe,
brakes, seat, gauges, wiring, switches, some bodywork, etc. etc. etc. is different.
While the difference is nowhere near as dramatic visually (or mechanically), it's largely akin to
the H-D 60's upgrading from the panhead to the shovel. To borrow the phrase, think of it as evolutionary as opposed to revolutionary.
That said, a vast majority of the parts will interchange from one year to another.
Doesn't matter what year it is....buy it. <grin>
Eddie