R65LS and R65...rear axle stack up...

[oldbikesrcool]

Hey all, -
I'm stumped. I have a pile of new, used, assembled and unassembled assemblies and loose parts for two R65s; one is an 84 R65LS, the other a 79 R65. I'm starting to clean and reassemble one good bike...hopefully.
Current roadblock:
rear axle...which one? I have two axles that are slightlly different in how they were milled but both are the same lenth, same threaded area, etc. The difference appears to be the left side shoulder area. One extends approx. 4", the other about 3.5". Does anyone have a pic of the proper stackup for the LS (finned) rear end?
The bike had the three pieces of hardware  you see in the pics  as a loose assembly to get the bike to roll into his trailer and over to my garage. I can't tell what's right...
whimper... :-?

-Galen

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Perhaps this will help you.  http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/DiagramsMain.aspx?vid=51897&rnd=03192010
This is from the Max BMW microfiche for 79-84 R65's.  Scroll through the various pages and maybe you'll see something that will help you.  

[montmil]

Galen, Here's a good resource for you. Punch in the model, year, and vin # for your bike and the diagrams will be extremely helpful.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do?kind=M&series=K53&body=ohne&model=R65LS&zone=USA&prod=19821000&arch=1

I've attached a couple snaps from my 1981 R65. Not the LS model, but...

Reference your photo #1: My 1981 R65's rear axle is 4.40" long on the "fat" end  / left side. Note the axle step down is contacting a "top hat" spacer. See below.



Question for you: Is that as far as the rear axle will extend out of the final drive case? Might the short shouldered axle be a front axle"

Ref photo #2: I believe the ring spacer likely fits inside the hub between a spacer tube and the bearing between parts #8 & #9.

This image is right side rear axle nut and washer.



The "top hat" spacer goes on after the roller bearings are installed but before the oil seal. The hat's brim contacts the inner race of the bearing. The shoulder on the rear axle fits against the top hat as a tiny bit protrudes through the oil seal.

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0364&mospid=47851&btnr=36_0145&hg=36&fg=10

Hope some of this will help you.

Monte

[oldbikesrcool]

Thanks you guys, -

I hadn't considered one of these could be a front axle. The plot thickens.
My LS wheel (attached pic) appears to have a different hub width than
 the R65. I could be wrong...
The picture was taken with the longer "fat" end  / left side axle  installed of the two I have.
Unfortunately, the diagrams which you kindly provided through those links show a couple different possible axle part numbers and no dimensional explaination twixt the two :-/  I'm still unsure which is which for the LS wheel application.
hmmmm...

[bruce_launceston]

The axle with the 3.5 inch thicker section is the '84 LS axle. No spacers are required, just a thick washer and nut on the drive side.

Cheers Bruce

PS. There might be a 'loose' Parallel spacer that sits inside the lip of the oil/dust seal.

[montmil]

Do you have either the Clymer or Haynes service manuals? Both are pretty good at breaking out the R65 and R65LS differences. Charts, drawings, photos...

Monte

[GrimReaper]

 Monte what kind is that exhaust?Is it OEM?

[suecanada]

My LS has the same as Bruce's: 3.5 inch shoulder and only the washer/big nut on the right. The hole for the axle puller in the tool kit is just protruding enough to fit the end of the puller in it.

[montmil]

My LS has the same as Bruce's: 3.5 inch shoulder and only the washer/big nut on the right. The hole for the axle puller in the tool kit is just protruding enough to fit the end of the puller in it.

Well, Sue, you've answered a question I've had about the rear axle on my standard '83 R65. Guess I have an LS axle poked in the back wheel of my ride; likely courtesy of some PO within the past 27 years. The cross-drilled extraction hole is like yours.

Thanks,   Monte

[montmil]

Monte what kind is that exhaust?Is it OEM?

You'll love this story, Ivo...

Bought the bike with perfect R65LS cans on the headers. Shiny. No scratches. Pretty quiet, too.

After about a year or so, I began lusting for something more shiny. Began watching FleaBay, CraigsList, IBMWR, blah, blah, blah...

One day, the latest issue of AirMail hit the box. This is the pub from the Airheads Beemer Club. In the classifieds was an ad for a pair of gently used EPCO stainless muffs for the R65-size headers. I'm so there!

Called a gentleman in northern New Mexico who was thinning his herd and had these stainless beauties sitting in his blacksmith shop -he's an actual smithy. We talked, a lot, about different things and finally the guy says, "I'll ship 'em to you and if you like 'em, send me $125.00." He did and I did. Guess he was sorta interviewing me for the adoption process. Whatta deal!

Monte I love it when a plan comes together Miller

[montmil]

...The picture was taken with the longer "fat" end  / left side axle installed of the two I have.
  I'm still unsure which is which for the LS wheel application...

Likely will not matter which "fat end" axle as long as you have the final drive fully splines seated and the wheel is centered. Check my latest post regarding the LS rear axle happily living in my standard R65.

Monte

[Barry]

Are these differences due to the fact that the LS wheels use ball races rather than taper roller bearings ?  At least the front bearings on the LS are ball races. Not sure about the rear ?

No I just checked LS models have taper rollers on the rear same as all airheads.

[montmil]

The LS uses 40x17x14 tapered roller bearings in the rear only. Balls up front.

Wait... that didn't come out sounding quite right [smiley=rolleyes.gif]

Monte

[Justin B.]

Hehehe, Monte said ballzzzzz...  [smiley=ROTFLMAO.gif]

[oldbikesrcool]

The axle with the 3.5 inch thicker section is the '84 LS axle. No spacers are required, just a thick washer and nut on the drive side.

Cheers Bruce

PS. There might be a 'loose' Parallel spacer that sits inside the lip of the oil/dust seal.

Hello Bruce, -

Hey, thanks for that. Just out of curiosity, what's the overall length of that axle?

Cheers,
-Galen