R65 vs R65LS Seat

[marcmax]

Can anyone tell me if an R65LS can be replaced with a standard R65 seat. I am talking about the entire seat/cowl assembly and not just the seat pan as I know they are shaped differently due to the difference in cowl shapes/size. Just need to know if the hinges and latch pin line up and if the rear subframe will be covered.

Adding a Reynolds rack and a top case but in order to clear the long tail cowl on an LS it looks like it is just hanging out in space. I am thinking the shorter cowl on a standard R65 seat would allow them to look more "connected".

[montmil]

If you might post up a couple photos of your LS hinge points and latch, I could look at my std R65 and compare. I do think the earlier R65s had a smaller seat tailpiece that did not have the little storage compartment. The small cowls covered the subframe's upper loop.

[marcmax]

Here is what I have. The LS seat pan was bought with a Russell Day Long seat installed. It has since been put back to stock. The rack by itself does stick out a bit but doesn't look too bad by itself. Once the Wixom top case is added it looks out of place. My thought was to replace the seat with the shorter cowl seat and move the rack closer. I could move the rack closer with the existing seat but would lose the ability to raise or remove the seat without removing the rack and panniers frame.

[montmil]

A quick glance leads me to believe the seat base, latch and hinges on your LS are the same as on my 1981 stander R65. Hope this helps.

[montmil]

"Somebody's" sub-frame could stand a paint job. Embarrassing , it is.

[marcmax]

Just checked the OEM parts fiche and the subframe pn is the same for R65 and LS starting with the LS production, not so before so I will have to be careful what year R65 seat I get.

Paint job? That is just a well used, well loved machine in my eyes.

[wilcom]

Somebody's" sub-frame could stand a paint job

Holy Patina!!!!

[montmil]

Somebody's" sub-frame could stand a paint job

Holy Patina!!!!

Yet the main chassis is almost new looking. I keep telling myself, "Self, pull that sub-frame and show it some love."

So I close the seat and ignore it... Again.  :-/

[Justin B.]

 They will mount the same.  When I built up the Junkyard Dawg I used a standard R65 pan and modified it to fit the LS tail cowl.  The rear "cubbies" are different so you'll probably want to swap that as well.

[peteremc]

Monty, I'd be interested to know what the two wires or hoses are running just in front of the forward seat mount in your second photo?

[montmil]

Monty, I'd be interested to know what the two wires or hoses are running just in front of the forward seat mount in your second photo?

Doesn't everyone have permanently installed Battery Tender Jr leads?

All five of my scoots have these leads attached as it makes it much easier and safer than using those spark inducing little alligator clips. I also have five of the chargers so I don't have to drag one charger and a long extension cord around the shop.

[peteremc]

Gotcha. Great idea, just didn't identify them. Have them on two (non-BMW) bikes but not yet on the Beemer. Very soon to be added.

[peteremc]

Just read that again. Five chargers! You really have it all organised.

I went to an auction, scratched my nose and ended up with two chargers. They were a bargain, but I thought that was extravagant.

But then again, my wife says you can only ride one bike at a time, but I KNOW you can use five chargers at a a time.