Idiot lights help for 65LS Idiot

[its_only_me]

I have a few idiot lights not working on my LS, but how do you get to them, is this a full front pod/fairing strip down, and if so are there any pitfalls to be aware of ?

[Bob_Roller]

I don't have an LS, so I'm not sure what you need to remove, but you need to get to the back of the indicator to replace the lamps. They are the 'wedge' type lamp, SAE 158 or 168 if  my memory is correct.

[Mumford]

Yep, you have to take the front fairing and the 'dashboard' off, there's no way around it. If you have the plastic covers fitted on the back of the fairing, you'll need to take them off first to get at the fasteners for the fairing. Be Careful separating the fairing from the dash, there's little tabs on the dash that hold it down, and they're a bit on the fragile side. Let me know if you need pictures or anything, I'm at work now, but I can take some later if you need help.

[its_only_me]

Thank you all, a job for the weekend I feel.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I have heard that they are A LOT fragile!  

If your's are still intact, consider yourself very lucky, and treat them like gold - fragile gold!

[nhmaf]

Yes, indeed fragile gold !
Also, be careful taking those black plastic back covers off (that wrap around the tops of
the fork tubes) to get at the fairing mounting bolts - they are prone to cracking/splitting
at the hole for the screw that holds them on.    Also, there is supposed to be some
foam stuck onto the inside curve of the pieces that go around the tops of the fork tubes.
On these old bikes, that foam is often dried up and crumbling into dust.   Those back pieces
are prone to vibration and rattling (which makes things worse for that lonely little screw)
without some sort of foam in there.   If yours are dried up and crumbling out, I've found that
some strips of foam weatherstripping (like what you'd use to seal around doors or windows)
that has an adhesive backing works pretty good.

[Mumford]

Gold indeed. $86 from A&S BMW or Max BMW, assuming they have them in stock. Last I heard, BMW stopped producing them, and they're getting rare. And, yes. . .they are Quite fragile, but at least things hold together with one side gone. . .also be careful with the seam between the center switch/plug, it breaks if you look at it funny.

[its_only_me]

Blimey, I never realised it would be a major teardown! I took off the two small inner side panels toaday to have a look inside, I soon put them back. So the indicators have to be removed as well, or is there a way of leaving the lower fairing section, and just removing the top black section to access the tacho and idiot lights?

[Mumford]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but to the best of my knowledge and experience, there's no way to get the top section off without removing the lower fairing. The reason for this is that the top section is essentially locked into position by the bottom section, and fastened down by the ignition switch surround. And yes, the indicators (turn signals, I'm assuming?) do have to come off, there's no way around it. Also, if you have any switches wired into the dashboard, be aware of how they're connected before you start pulling things apart. As far as the side covers, I don't have them fitted, as they interfere with the mounting brackets for my Parabellum windshield.

[nhmaf]

I can take the top black plastic piece off without fully removing the red fairing on my bike, but the
plastic tab tongues on the black piece which would lock under the lip of the "fairing" piece
are broken off on my bike.        You *might* be able to just remove the lower fairing bolts
and loosen the top bolts so you can slide it down and pivot it forward a bit - it *might* give you
enough free play to get the front edge of the black tabs unlatched.   You will also have to at least
loosen the allen bolts that clamp the turn signals onto the stems to slide them about a bit.

The LS models look really cool, but they do exact a certain price for stylishness - but every
hollywood model knows that, right ?!?!?