The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2

Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: davesmyth on October 10, 2011, 10:49:00 AM

Title: R65 Aftermarket Handlebars
Post by: davesmyth on October 10, 2011, 10:49:00 AM

I recently purchased a 1980 BMW R65 with 31K miles.  I paid $2000, and just dropped another $700 into it to fix the CAN, adjust the points and rebuild the carbs.  Seeing as I've got a decent amount of money into it, I'd like to save some money on new handlebars by not purchasing OEM.  Does anyone know of a good aftermarket source of handlebars?  I've got the US handlebars on it now (slightly bent right side), but would be interested in the Euro style.

I appreciate your help.

Regards,
Dave

Title: Re: R65 Aftermarket Handlebars
Post by: tvrla on October 10, 2011, 11:04:42 AM

These guys provide cables at a fraction of the cost, besides bars as well.

http://www.flandersco.com/MPCableSearch.html

I believe Magura is the manufacturer of the BMW bars and you can do a search for them.

And finally, 7/8" bars will work, though they're several thousandths too large for the controls. Either bore the control out slightly or grind the bar down. I've heard boring the control doesn't render them inoperable on the standard 22mm bars, but I've never tried that.

I think it's totally nuts that our bars should cost so much when 7/8" cost less than $20.

Title: Re: R65 Aftermarket Handlebars
Post by: davesmyth on October 10, 2011, 11:38:34 AM

I have heard of Flanders; and I knew that Magura made bars for BMW, though they seem pretty expensive.  

I absolutely agree that 22mm bars are way overpriced.  I wanted to buy a set of BikeMaster bars, but the 7/8" issue concerned me.  I suppose I could always take a come along and bend the right bar back out to save some money.  If I break it, no big deal.  I would have had to buy a new bar, anyway.

Thanks for your input.

Dave

Title: Re: R65 Aftermarket Handlebars
Post by: Barry on October 10, 2011, 12:04:08 PM

Bars are tough to bend but it can be done. Some localised heat up to the point of the chrome starting to color but before it goes blue helps a little and you should be able polish the worst of  that out afterwards. I know that doesn't seem plausible but steel starts to weaken at a lower temperature than you might think. Around 230 deg C is enough to take the spring out of the steel and make the job possible. In fact you probably need heat to make sure the bars bend in the place you want them to bend. I've bent bars this way but not with them mounted on the bike. I wouldn't risk stressing the top triple tree mounts with that much force.

Title: Re: R65 Aftermarket Handlebars
Post by: rwait on October 10, 2011, 02:17:46 PM

I replaced my US spec bars two years ago and haven't looked back.  I've ridden 400 mile + days and really like the more forward, head into the wind, stance.  Much less strain on my neck and back from the wind.  In my opinion, I think they look better too.

I purchased my bars from Flanders and got the 90S spec bars.  The only downsides I experienced were 1) less bar space to mount accessories, albeit the mount for my GPS still fits, as can be seen in the picture, and 2) I couldn't get Napoleon bar end mirrors to fit in the 22mm diameter bars.

For optimum fit, you should also fit shorter accelerator and clutch cables.

http://www.sideroadcycles.com/ImportedMotorcycles/ImportHandlebars/BMWbars/MaguraBMW.html

 C20: Black Flanders BMW R90S Bar (Magura style 478-46300)

Randy