The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: cobra407 on January 26, 2011, 05:31:23 AM
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My r65ls is needing a new exhaust system. What is the best option in terms of price? fit? sound? I wouldnt mind if it were a bit louder :)
I still have the original black pipes-- stainless might be better than chrome finish?
thanks peter
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I always vote for stainless (funds permitting) because I won't have to buy any more.
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Looking forward to the replies on this one. My friends call my 65 the sewing machine due to its growl, more like a purr.
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I've always reserved the 'sewing machine' tag for the K series.
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I have Staintune on the '82 R65ls - very nice. I opted for the R65 style vs the flat end LS style. Beautiful things they are, but, like all SS, they are pricey.
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i hate that reset button. >:(
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I've always reserved the 'sewing machine' tag for the K series.
I humbly stand corrected.
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Isn't the OEM ones stainless already? Just asking.
I would really opt to go for stainless that any other metal,
even though it is heavier, no amount of tarnish can prevent it from achieving a mirror like finish when properly buffed and polished.
btw, a mechanic that was unfamiliar with BMW's did told me it sounded like a sewing machine. ;D
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Isn't the OEM ones stainless already? Just asking.
I would really opt to go for stainless that any other metal,
even though it is heavier, no amount of tarnish can prevent it from achieving a mirror like finish when properly buffed and polished.
btw, a mechanic that was unfamiliar with BMW's did told me it sounded like a sewing machine. ;D
No, OEM are standard steel with chrome. Many have rusted.
Since the non-airhead mechanic said your bike sounded like a sewing machine, it must be running great!
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Really? The one on my R65 are Stainless ones. Hmmm....
No wonder it was making cars alarm in parking.
I could have sworn it was OEM. ::)
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I've got a Staintune stainless exhaust system on the '82 LS, it's got a deeper tone to it as compared to a stock system .
Only downside to it, is that the rear axle won't clear the left muffler for rear wheel/tire removal, which could be a problem if you get a flat tire on the road .
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I replaced my R65LS rotted OEM black mufflers with Epco stainless exhausts (and OEM R65 headpipes) The Epcos have a flat end that looks just like the original. They look and sound great.
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If OEM headers are not stainless steel, are the silencers not as well?
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Correct, the entire OEM system is plated steel .
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The guy I bought my bike from replaced the mufflers with the one's from JC Whitney. They are chrome, affordable and louder than stock. They sound nice to me.
I am startting to see rust forming around the welds and I live in California. :(
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Are they the glow in the dark with fringe and they make whistling noises?
I remember all that strange car stuff jc whitney used to sell.
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@randall,
Surprisingly, no. Just straight ahead nice looking and sounding pipes.
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JC Whitney - they fit a R65?
http://www.jcwhitney.com/chrome-plated-motorcycle-side-muffler-for-bmw/p2006470.jcwx?filterid=c14658j3
"CHROME-PLATED MUFFLERS
* Replacement style restores bike's original look
* Reduce back pressure and restore performance and acceleration lost due to a faulty muffler!
* For 1970-on BMW cycles (exc. R45 and R65) "
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the jc whitney option looks interesting given the price but i dont see that they have headers.
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JC Whitney - they fit a R65?
http://www.jcwhitney.com/chrome-plated-motorcycle-side-muffler-for-bmw/p2006470.jcwx?filterid=c14658j3
"CHROME-PLATED MUFFLERS
* For 1970-on BMW cycles (exc. R45 and R65) "
Correct. The muffs do have a larger i.d. that our R65's exhaust header pipe o.d.
That said, the worst case scenario might be to utilize some brass strip, approx 1" wide, rolled about the header pipe as a ghetto muffler adapter.
I had to do something similar on my R65 when I ordered some pricey Cobra stainless steel pipe-to-muff clamps. I goofed and bought a size too large so used the 1/32 inch-ish thick brass strip idea until I could replace the over size clamps with the correct ones. Actually, I could have left the larger clamps in place as the strips were invisible and held tight as a tick.
But I knew it was just so wrong... ;)
Monte
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I ordered and installed header pipes from http://jerryscyclesvintageparts.com/BMW-Replica-Replacement-Chrome-Head-Pipes-R65-Only-P75777.aspx last year and have been very pleased with them so far. They are reasonably priced and look great.
Unfortunately, they only list mufflers for 1985 - 1987. The company is not sure if they will fit the 1979 - 1984 model. I think '85 - 87 is when BMW used the same frame as the larger bikes with the R65 engine? Perhaps someone else has more insight and can tell us what difference there may be in the mufflers/mounts/etc.
Randy
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The 85 - on mufflers are a quite different meaphone style to the earlier ones with more of a kink in them so together with the frame differences it seems doubtful they would fit.
Someone here with that model of bike will know for sure.
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After looking at the website for Jerryscycles re: header pipes for R65's I called him & was told they only fit '85 - '87 R65's...anyone know of a good place to find ones that'll fit?
Thanks, Bill Conquest
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I paid Chicago BMW $263 for just the header pipes - no crossover. The BMW crossover is quite expensive, and I am going to try the Electrolux solution, first. I don't know if Electrolux has a shop on your island, but you should check. Their extension wands are supposed to be very close to the correct size, but they look like they may be slightly over-sized. Nothing that a couple of small slots with a dremel and good clamps won't cure. Make sure you get their steel wand, if you do. They also have an aluminum one that probably wouldn't last long on an exhaust system.
But a BMW crossover is $80!!!
But for a good seal, you want to get T-clamps instead of hose clamps. Yes, they are expensive, but I found out (after ordering mine - $45 for 4 at JC Whitney for Cobra brand - http://www.jcwhitney.com/stainless-t-bolt-clamps/p2015038.jcwx ) that they are much cheaper elsewhere (I've lost the link).
I see these Mikalor brand that look nice on Amazon, at a very reasonable price:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=bl_sr_industrial?_encoding=UTF8&node=16310091&field-brandtextbin=Mikalor
There are cheaper ones, still, but they LOOK cheaper.
I'm just glad to finally have a set, waiting for warm weather in the garage so I can install everything.
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Mac Performance lists part numbers for headers for both earlier and the later '85 - '87 models - http://www.macperformance.com/store/category.cfm?CustomerID=8656674&ACBSessionID=gSOMI5v3qhmVsDRipW6b&SID=3&Category_ID=951&CatLevel=top.
The cost is slightly higher for the earlier models at $199 vs. $169.
Not sure why Jerry's now says the headers they have are for the '85 - '87. Unless he had a different part a year ago, the one on his website is the one that I ordered and had installed on my 1979 model. It fit fine and has been working out great.
Randy
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Thanks, Rob - that's an interesting idea for a crossover, though we don't have an electrolux shop i'll check around. Randy, are the header pipes you got for your '79 from mac the ones on the website #006 - 0292 ? Did they include a crossover?
Thanks Bill Conquest
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Did they include a crossover?
I'll bet $5 that they do.
That is an interesting FAQ section on that website. It is a forum format.
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The header that I bought was from Jerry's cycles and included the cross pipe. I believe the header from Mac also includes the cross pipe. Unless the picture is incorrect, I'm not sure why Jerry is indicating the set up he has only fits the '85 - '87....I'm pretty sure it's the link I went through when I ordered my header from him.
I can understand that the mufflers may be different given the difference in frames, but if the diameters of the pipes stayed the same, I would think the header would be the same since they simply connect to the head and the cross pipe needs to clear the front of the engine case.
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Exhaust system from an early dual-shock:
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realoem.com%2Fbmw%2Fdiagrams%2Fj%2Fq%2F0.png&hash=c3fa9203b853efe970b18ef84931bf8f02ba277a) (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0363&mospid=51897&btnr=18_0263&hg=18&fg=05)
Exhaust system from a mono-shock:
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realoem.com%2Fbmw%2Fdiagrams%2Fj%2Fq%2F8.png&hash=8fa7e78093a291dd54d9ecf33ce779919bfe6871) (http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0462&mospid=51626&btnr=18_0275&hg=18&fg=05)
I don't know if Jerry's '85 - '87 accommodates the collector box or eliminates it.
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Interesting...the one that fits my '79 is more like what you are showing as the later head pipe, with the cross pipe near the front. The 'earlier' version seems to show the cross pipe further back.
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Interesting...the one that fits my '79 is more like what you are showing as the later head pipe, with the cross pipe near the front. The 'earlier' version seems to show the cross pipe further back.
That is just sloppy drawings on BMW's part.
On the '78-'80s the crossover is at the front, at the bottom of the front cover.
http://www.pbase.com/tomfarr/image/123865745/large
On the '81-'84, there are TWO crossovers - one where the early bikes have them, and one further back near the foot pegs.
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Right. So if Jerry has any headers that look like the one at http://jerryscyclesvintageparts.com/BMW-Replica-Replacement-Chrome-Head-Pipes-R65-Only-P75777.aspx, it should fit a '79, which I think is the year in question. Not sure why he thinks these are for an '85 - '87 unless what he has left is different from the picture on his website.
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In reading the home page for Jerry's Cycles -scroll down to the bottom of the home page- I get the idea this gentleman sources his inventory in creative ways.
For example, the black ceramic-coated BMW headers listed as being for BMW R model twins 1970-84 states, These head pipes is [sic] discontinued NOS. No guarantees or returns. Also no insturctions [sic], you will have to figure out mounting youself [sic].
Evidently, the customer must do his own product research, plus grammar check, prior to ordering. ;)
Prices aren't bad...
Monte
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Yes - I could be frightened away from doing business with someone that doesn't take the time to have his grammar and spelling checked.
eBay I could forgive, if it were an individual - but a supposed professional? No way!
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I totally understand the concerns. However, I have actually had a good experience thus far ordering from Jerry. In addition to the header last year, this last week I ordered mufflers. The ones specific for a '79 R65 were not available, so I took a chance and ordered the ones he had that were listed for other airheads of the same vintage (I may have ordered his last pair).
The description of these seemed similar to that of JCWhitney and Mac. I installed them this evening (actually last evening as it is now morning), and if the pictures come through, they mounted just fine. While they are about 2 inches longer or so, and don't have the exact bends, they fit fine and, more importantly, my Krauser cases fit. The picture with my helmet is of the original mufflers, and all others are of the replacements.
Randy
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The problem I have with professional parts suppliers that cannot spell and have poor grammar is this; how accurate are their part numbers and descriptions?? I would be worried buying parts from such an individual.
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Isn't the OEM ones stainless already? Just asking.
The original pipes and mufflers on my 1984 were chrome plated steel, but the genuine BMW replacement parts available in the early 1990s were stainless steel.