The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: steven m on November 12, 2010, 11:55:41 AM

Title: Krauser bags
Post by: steven m on November 12, 2010, 11:55:41 AM

I recently picked up a set of factory rack mounts for my trusty 83 r65.  What appeared to be a lot of rust was mostly a crummy attempt to paint them.  A little work with a wire brush and they look great.  Bolted them on, mounted the racks inboard of the shocks.  When I put on Krauser bags, the turn signal hits the bag on the right side and I cannot get the latch to engage.  These are the classic airhead Krausers, not the more modern shorter and squarer BMW bags.  Have I mounted the racks incorrectly?  Hmmm...
Steve  

Title: Re: Krauser bags
Post by: Lucky_Lou on November 12, 2010, 12:04:36 PM

Quote

I recently picked up a set of factory rack mounts for my trusty 83 r65.  What appeared to be a lot of rust was mostly a crummy attempt to paint them.  A little work with a wire brush and they look great.  Bolted them on, mounted the racks inboard of the shocks.  When I put on Krauser bags, the turn signal hits the bag on the right side and I cannot get the latch to engage.  These are the classic airhead Krausers, not the more modern shorter and squarer BMW bags.  Have I mounted the racks incorrectly?  Hmmm...
Steve  

The mounts may be for r80 or r100 which have a longer wheelbase...hacksaw may be required...
Lou

Title: Re: Krauser bags
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on November 12, 2010, 04:17:51 PM

Some people shorten their turn signal stalks out of vanity.  I would say this is one situation where it might be necessary.

If the mounts went on without any real drama, they are probably O.K.  If they were made for a large-frame airhead, you would have had to modify them to get them to work.  It doesn't sound like that is the case, here.

Get yourself a dremel-type rotary tool to cut the slots after you shorten the stalks.  Watch where you make the slots so the turn signals are level with the pavement.

Title: Re: Krauser bags
Post by: steven m on November 13, 2010, 11:47:06 AM

Thanks for the input.  The racks are for an R65.  I believe older airhead racks have a vertical forward mounting tab and mounting hole.  The R65 racks have a horizontal tab and mounting hole.  The racks for the later single shock R65 and R100 are different.

Maybe a couple of thick washers on the rear mount, the center loop on the rear subframe, would move them out about 1/4 to 1/2 inch.  That is all that is needed.

I'll keep you posted.

Steve

Title: Re: Krauser bags
Post by: Rob Valdez 79 R65 on November 13, 2010, 04:28:06 PM

Quote

Maybe a couple of thick washers on the rear mount, the center loop on the rear subframe, would move them out about 1/4 to 1/2 inch.That is all that is needed.

That is what I did on my original mounts.  A long time ago, I already had a Reynolds rack on my bike when I bought a set of BMW Krauser bags with mounts.  I didn't know I needed the Reynolds loops to work properly.  So I got out the grinder and made them fit.  (not recommended)

This is what my rear mount looked like.  The saddlebag mounts are on the outer edges of the spacers:

(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbase.com%2Ftomfarr%2Fimage%3Cbr+%2F%3E%2F83784460%2Fmedium.jpg&hash=a2b6e12db50055cfe304f21b97afced658320eb8) (http://www.pbase.com/tomfarr/rack_mounts)
_{click on pic for more}