New R65LS owner and a few questions

[soulmachine]

So, a little back story. I have only owned one other airhead in my life. A 1976 R90/6 about fifteen years ago. I didn't know anything about BMW airhead bikes then, and it turned out, ignorance, isn't always bliss. Long story short, I didn't own that bike very long.

But, that experience didn't deminish my desire for an R65LS, which I finally got last week. Aside from a lack of maintenance (I've been going through the bike) it's in descent enough shape.

So, few questions.

Generator light. Comes on at about 1000 RPM's and goes out at about 1200 RPM's. I seem to recall this being 'normal' for these bikes, but want to double check.

Carb to head rubber insulator. It looks to be the same size as the ones for the manifolds, however, I cannot confirm fitment through parts diagrams, as the diagrams I've seen, do not show this part. Is this a 'known' through the R65 world?

ATE brake calipers. Evidently, I have an early LS, as it is equipped with dual ATE calipers. Are all parts for these between the Brembo calipers different? I'm going to need to rebuild the calipers, new pads and for piece of mind, new lines. Are braided line kits the same for ATE and Brembo?

I'm sure I'll have more questions as I go, but this is a good starting point.

Thank you,

Brian

[montmil]

Welcome, Brian

The GEN lamp should come on when the ignition is in the on/run position. It should go off at around 1100-1200 rpm. The small 3-watt GEN bulb serves as an "exciter" for the alternator. Wakes him up and puts him to work. The carbon two brushes that ride on the rotor should be checked for full contact since this is a new bike to you.
 Â  If you have an AGM battery, it would be a good idea to replace the OEM voltage regulator with a new electronic VR that will charge the AGM at a slightly higher rate. MotoraddElektrik and EuroMotoElectric are good sources. Install is an easy plug n' play.

The rubber sleeve twix head and carb is a 52mm diameter. Carb intake to filter tube is 60mm.

Max BMW fiche <http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/DiagramsMain.aspx?vid=51899&rnd=07012015>

Brian, it would be very helpful if you would post the model year of your LS either with your question or as part of a sig line or with the avatar. Differences between model can get mixed results with answers.
 Â  Motoradd had a habit of using up parts, often adding last year's brakes calipers from the parts bin onto the following year... until the parts were used up, then ol' Gunther would start fitting Brembos. You can find the month and year your bike was built using the VIN number. You may be surprised!

<http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/enginechassis.htm>

Both my R65s are Brembo so pretty sure an ATE rider will chime in.

[Barry]

The ATE and Brembo caliper are interchangeable as a unit but there are no common component parts. Even though the piston diameter is the same there are detail differences.  Bad news is ATE parts are harder to come by and more expensive so before throwing too much money at the ATE's you might consider replacing then with Brembo's.  There is also a version of the Brembo with a larger piston that fits which is a particularly smart move for single disc bikes and cheaper too.   A search here on Brembo calipers is sure to find you the part numbers.

[soulmachine]

Lots of good information so far. Feels like cramming for a test!

According to the chart, my LS has a build date of 11/81, so I updated my signature line with that information.

As for the VR, is that located under the tank? I have yet to strip the bike down and make a study out of it yet.

The parts diagrams I was using online weren't nearly as detailed as those ones from MAX are.

Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of money to throw at the bike right at the moment anyhow, so unless someone out there sells me a set of Brembos for cheap, I'm going to need to keep these ATE calipers going. And they are functioning right now.

Are brake lines interchangable between the ATE and Brembo calipers? Those diagrams make no mention, and I don't want to assume they are.

[montmil]

As for the VR, is that located under the tank? I have yet to strip the bike down and make a study out of it yet.

Yes, the VR is under the tank. The OEM unit looks like a small can of Spam. May have either a red or yellow wrap of plastic tape. Just wiggle it free from the connector.

Rick Jones operates Motoradd Elektrik. An Alabama fella and friend to the Airheads. The link is to the "Charging" page but you'll be well served browsing through the entire catalog.

http://www.motoelekt.com/charging.htm

John Rayski is another valuable resource for Airhead parts and willingly dispenses helpful advice. Massive web catalog. Euro Moto Electrics, Denver CO.

http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/category-s/119.htm

I have dealt with these two gentlemen for many years and have never been disappointed.

[soulmachine]

Those look like excellent sources for electrical parts.

I'm going to follow your repeated advise and check over the electrical system on the bike. Fluids in the back half of the bike (trans, shaft and final drives) have been sub-par, at best. So, no matter how well meaning the PO was, I can't hang my hat on the information he has told me. Going to have to create my own ground zero, and go from there.

Thank you for the links and the information above. I have a feeling my experience with this bike will be much different this time around.