Headlight / Instrument ideas

[fyathyrio8]

I recently purchased a 1984 R65LS; my first BMW (don't ask what else I own, you might all hate me).  Unfortunately, a previous owner decided to put a Jap front fairing and headlight on her.  People can be cruel.  I took the fairing off today, looked at the bike - and decided that I am going to keep it that way.

What I don't know is this...

1. What am I going to do with the headlight
2. What am I going to do with the instruments

I could use the cheapo Jap headlight, but it's ugly.  I've done some searching online for an R65 headlight assembly - and failed.  Does anyone know where I can find one - or, is there any real reason to seek out a genuine BMW headlight?

With no front fairing - I need to do something about the instrument pod.  I believe the R65 (non-LS) pod would work... if I could find one.  

Anyways, I'm excited.  I'd love to hear some ideas/suggestions.

[Barry]

Welcome  

First thing to bear in mind is that the R65 headlight at 6.5 " is a different size to other mainstream heads. Only the /5's were a similar diameter but the shell is quite different so you probably will need to find a proper R65 item. There are subsitutes for the glass and reflector though checkout Justin's post in the FAQ section

http://www.bmwr65.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1228860638

Instruments are not too hard to find. The instrument surround/crash pad is more difficult at least finding a good one that is not already split.

Do you have the the brackets for mounting the instruments and headlight ?  If not it could add up to quite a list of parts you need.
I think they are the same for R65 and R65 LS but One of the LS owners will know better.

[darrylri]

The bracket is slightly different between the R65 and the R65LS.  The LS bracket has shorter turn signal tubes and there's an extra threaded hole on each side which I assume is a mounting point for the LS fairing.  But if you don't mind the turn signals being a bit closer in, the LS bracket should work fine on a plain R65.  

I know it sounds a bit self serving, but I've got a spare, never-used LS bracket that I bought to use on my R65, before I came into a complete bracket, headlight and instrument cluster.  I'd just like to get my $75 back for the bracket.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

And I don't want to rain on your parade, Darryl, but you might want to make sure the turn signals are facing the front.  The LS has T.S. extensions and I think they reverse the slots... But yeah, $75 is a bargain.

_{click on picture}

And I have the part #12 in the picture above.  With it you mount the instruments only (with plastic $hroud), and use aftermarket headlight ears.

Part #12 was made for R65's with full fairings, eliminating the headlight & TS mounts.
Since it is unobtanium now, I would have to ask a whole bunch for it.  (it is brand new!)  
No, just kidding - I can't ask too much for it, because Justin sold it to me! lol!

Oh, and Motobins has the shrouds ($357), but no backs (that cover the instruments & faces the front).
Chicago BMW is $311, $27 for the small piece.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=0364&mospid=51897&btnr=32_0741&hg=32&fg=71

There are also several breakers around the US.  They often will have what you are looking for.  Where do you live?

[Whitehurst]

I have the whole set up I was going to put on ebay tomorrow that I will sell ya...
Everything is in perfect shape, the picture shows its just dirty, I can send better pics in the morning - its all complete...minus turn signals.
Headlight, headlight bracket, instruments, panel etc... send me a pm or email with an offer (taoren99@gmail.com)- a fare offer please!

[montmil]

Terry's deal is a complete package and will likely be the best you'll find, considering what all you're looking for. I'm tempted just to have the spares!

Appears the turn signal stalks have been cut away, but a tube-within-tube fix would be easy.

Monte

[fyathyrio8]

I think Terry's setup would solve my problems without having to hunt around for every little piece involved.  I appreciate all of your feedback.

As a side note, I had found a write up that someone posted showing how they mounted the speedo in a headlight (I don't think it was an OEM headlight).  Of course I can't find it now.  It came out looking really good - but as cool as it was, it's another project that would set me further from being able to ride

[darrylri]

And I don't want to rain on your parade, Darryl, but you might want to make sure the turn signals are facing the front.  The LS has T.S. extensions and I think they reverse the slots...

Thanks for the info!  I never got far enough with the LS bracket to discover this.  When I came into the complete unit (like Terry is offering), I just stopped looking at the LS bracket.

[Semper Gumby]

If you wanted to go simple you can put one these on..

http://www.veypor.com/veypor.html

I think with a RAM mount off the handle bar.  

[Ed Miller]

I wonder if that is some play/copy of the Vapor, like Monte has....  Mine is a Vector but the same company as the Vapor.  Veypor looks like a deliberate misspelling.

[oldbikesrcool]

Howdy all, -
Does anyone have an extra bracket (I think it's called the Front Plate) for an R65? Parts book gives p/n 31 42 1 235 573.
My pile of parts is coming together except that....the Front Plate I have is wrong for an R65 (ignition hole is set abot 3/4" too low in relation to the intruments).
I think I could use either the LS version or the standard R65 version.
Anyone?
-Galen

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Howdy all, -
Does anyone have an extra bracket (I think it's called the Front Plate) for an R65? Parts book gives p/n 31 42 1 235 573.
My pile of parts is coming together except that....the Front Plate I have is wrong for an R65 (ignition hole is set abot 3/4" too low in relation to the intruments).
I think I could use either the LS version or the standard R65 version.
Anyone?
-Galen

Check out the 3rd post in this thread.

[oldbikesrcool]

Ah. Thanks Rob.
I've PM'd Darryl.
Regards,
-Galen

[oldbikesrcool]

Well, First I'd like to say thanks to Darryl for the very nice LS instrument panel/headlamp bracket. It is excellent...
...unfortunately, it is the LS version. I didn't realize it simply will not work with the standard R65 dash panel as the ignition switch hole in the LS metal instrument mount bracket is about 1/2" lower than the pass through hole on the standard R65 dash panel.
 :-? Bummer.
So...
A) anyone want to trade a standard R65 bracket (item #1 in the parts diagram above) for my nice LS bracket?
B) anyone want to sell me a standard R65 bracket?

Thanks in advance,
-Galen

[msbuck]

I have a slightly damaged standard R65 bracket that I could let go of.  I think I have pictures on this sight somewhere...let me see what I can find.

---found a picture or two---
Pretty good shape, just a damaged turn signal stalk.




PM me if you're interested.