What BMW seats can be mounted to a R65?

[ipanemaguy]

We all know that the R65 is a little different, the R80 G/S is too.  Maybe that's we we feel so strongly about them.  I am looking at changing my R65 seat - what other seats will "fit"/    How about R80, R100, others?

Similarly it would be good to know what tanks people have adapted to the 65 - R90S, R80, etc? :-/

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

To begin, we need to know what year R65 you have, that you want to do this to.

The seat from the '78-'80 is interchangeable with the '81-'84, to a degree.  They had some minor differences that would be easily overcome.

'85-on, I have no idea.

I just put a G/S solo seat on my '79, but it took some significant modification and I lost the use of the tool tray above the battery.  The mount of the seat is not quite finished, but when it is, I plan to modify a box to fit in there.
re: tanks

The R65 started a different fastening system for BMW, which eliminates the vast majority of the stock tanks from consideration...unless you are handy in the workshop.

The only other tanks (that I know of) that fit the '78-'84 frames are G/S, GS and ST, but they leave ~ a 1" gap between the front of the seat and the rear of the tank, because R65 tanks are longer than the others.

[ipanemaguy]

Rob,
When you say "modifications" what are you talking about?  I can see going from rear latch to side hook hinges.  I have a Corbin '86 R80G/S seat.  Might be tempted, I hadn't even thought to check for fit, much less modification.

Who makes a non OEM seat fro the early 65s.  I called Corbin and they said no go.

 :-/

[k_enn]

I am in the same boat in terms of finding an aftermarket seat.  I have a 1982 R65 and cannot find any aftermarket seats.  (Corbin only makes seats for 1985 and more recent R65s).  

I am looking to replace my existing seat with some more comfortable and suitable for long distance riding.  Any help or guidance you can provide will be appreciated.

k_enn
(original owner)

[Justin B.]

I have an old Corbin seat that needs to be recovered and it appears to be built on a stock seat pan.  I think about your only option will be to find a good used aftermarket seat or have your's custom built.  I may get the Corbin recovered someday but it doesn't look like a huge improvement over the stocker, but I could be wrong...

[nhmaf]

Corbin used to make seats for the 81-84 R65, and even one for the R65LS (which is a bit different still), but there are No Longer Available (NLA), so one has to cruise the internet & ebay as they do pop up for sale (used, of course) from time to time.   It can be challenging working with a 25 year old machine, but if it was "easy", we probably wouldn't have such a community of tinkerers !

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Rob,
When you say "modifications" what are you talking about?  I can see going from rear latch to side hook hinges.  I have a Corbin '86 R80G/S seat.  Might be tempted, I hadn't even thought to check for fit, much less modification.

Who makes a non OEM seat fro the early 65s.  I called Corbin and they said no go.

 :-/

The biggest modifications for this particular no-hinge seat, which was made for a mono-shock G/S subframe, was that I had to have four flat tabs welded on the inboard side of subframe rails.  The forward two will interfere with a traditional underseat storage box.
I don't have a real good picture of the tabs online, but this one shows one of them.

I am also having to have a plate made to hold the seat latch post.  It will have a nut welded onto it, and then I will rivet the plate to the seat base.  The seat latch posts are available from Corbin for $10+5, and are threaded with a 8mm thread.


My favorite source for near OEM repros is S Meyer in Germany.  That is where I got my seat/rack combo.  They also sell the 1st gen in brown with the faux stitching, and the 2nd gen black seat with the improved underseat storage.  I will eventually get one of those, so with just the swap of a subframe I can have a two-seater again.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Here is a poor picture of the tabs required for my modification.  When the weather warms a little (-2/-19...) I will take a proper picture from above.


click for larger

[Yikes]

K_enn,

I've been looking for a replacement seat for my '82 and there don't seem to be a lot out there.  Sargeant Cycle Seats has a service where they will repair or custom build a seat on your existing pan to your liking.  Not cheap, but I understand they are of good quality.  

I was going to add a link to Sargent's site here, but Google gives a "This site may harm your computer" warning.  No idea what that's about.  

John M

[fastcataz]

I have had the same guy doing my seats for 20+ years and the custom seat he did for my 84 is great. To bad he has retired. Don't know what I will do if I ever wear out the one I have. I would look for a good upholster, nothing like custom made...

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

People in the Seattle, WA area should check out Rich's Custom Seats.  Loved & proven by long-distance R65 rider, Joan!


clickable

http://www.richscustomseats.com/

and a happy customer
http://www.fjr1300.info/mods/richs.html

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Cool looking seat, but I'm curious, is that a Flux Capacitor behind it?  If it is, how many gigawatts does it put out?

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

For your answer, you would have to convert the energy potential of 5 US gallons of gasoline to watts...

You can click on the picture to go to Joan's site.

[DeeG]

I've got a Rich's saddle on my Rebel.  $$, but worth it.  

For those of you that can't easily get to Seattle with your bike, you can mail it to him.  He has a questionaire and asks that you send pics of you on the bike.

He does a great job, and he's a kick to watch and joke with.

[Semper Gumby]

I sent my 1980 Seat to Russle in California which they rebuilt.  Then I put 7000 miles over three weeks with nary a sore spot.  Once again it's expensive but worth it.

For aux fuel I have a 3 gallon Tempo boat tank that suction feeds in to the main after I go on reserve.  I'm thinking about changing it out for a 5 gallon metal version from Summit.  The Summit tank would have to be stapped to the passenger seat.  The boat tank can ride either on the passenger seat or the top of the top case!