Speedometer inside headlight assembly

[DamanC]

I saw this on the street and am wondering if it is an aftermarket part or part of the original.  I'm not sure the model of the bike.  Would this work on an R65?  I'm looking for a minimalist look and this would be perfect.
 

[Justin B.]

The /5 models had this setup, at least my '72 R60/5 did...

[RSMike]

Looks like Earls forks on the front, so maybe an R69?

The /5 had something similar though not quite as minimalist, so I guess with a bit of re-work it migt be possible

[nhmaf]

They were also somewhat notorious for being an absolute pain the the arse to work on when things didn't go right.   If you are very handy/comfortable with electrical wiring, you could adapt your R65's wiring harness, but you'd also be looking for a /5 or /2 headlight bucket to use with it - won't be cheap and you'll have to do some fabrication if you don't want to use an original /5 or /2 speedo - but I've seen cool  aftermarket speedos that look like they were intended for Harleys fitted into /5 headlight buckets before.

[marcmax]

I like the look and started to try and find one of the headlights from a /5 to fit my wiring and speedo into. That is until I found out that the /5 headlight shells are made of or at least coated in unobtainium. A shell (no headlight or trim ring) in restorable condition sells for anywhere from $400 to $700. I like the look but I don't LOVE the look.

There is a guy who runs a Cafe Racer site selling a modern fiberglass version of the same style light housing designed for a Honda CB500 or 750. Being fiberglass it would probably be easy to modify it to fit our bikes.

http://www.benjiescaferacer.com/headlight-bucket.php

[marcmax]

Darn it! Now you have me daydreaming about replacing my headlight again!

[nhmaf]

Now that is a nice website to bookmark!  I like the carbon fiber version too - but that would present more challenges with cutting/finishing, unless one didn't want to implement the ignition key setup in the headlight like the /2 /5 /6 or /7. Hmmm.  
Must ... look... away...

[Barry]

If you are ditching the tacho no problem but be aware that if you went for a /5 set up they have a mechanical tacho which you have no drive for as the R65 is electronic.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Yes, the original post is most def. pre-1970.
The /5 incorporated a tachometer, as well.  But it was cable driven off of the front of the cam shaft.



Here is a blog on them you might find interesting:
http://velobanjogent.blogspot.com/2011/04/bmw-motometer-instruments-twin.html

You might be able to fit the front engine section that accommodates the cable drive, but then you would be looking for a R65 cam with a gear  drive on the front...
You would be better just to toss in a complete R50, R60, R75 or R90 engine in.

[marcmax]

Why not just drop the R65 speedo or tach into the hole and use the existing connections. If I swap out my headlight for one I am planning on doing away with the speedo all together and just mounting the tach in the headlight shell. A speedo is not a legal requirement (at least where I live) but you don't stand a chance of saying "honest officer I couldn't have been going that fast" without one.

I emailed the cafe site with fiberglass shells and got this back.
"For the 7" bucket, the gauge opening is 3.75", the 6" bucket has 3" opening. If you are using an aftermarket gauge, we could just leave the gauge hole uncut."

[DamanC]

Wow thanks for that site marcmax.  All these replies have gotten the gears going in my head.  I'm thinking about just keeping the speedo and not the tach and putting a lil light for nuetral. More of a project thyen I thought but man those look sweet!