which bars does my R65LS have?

[Jmo]

Bought my silver LS new at San Jose Bmw in 1982.  I read somewhere that the LS came with two types of bars, European and non.  I imagine mine are the higher ones but how can I tell?  Or, how low are the European ones?

Mine definitely have a rise, maybe 2"

thanks for any responses

[Barry]

2" rise sounds about right for low euro bars.


http://www.bmwr65.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1331359933

[EGRG]

Try posting photo. I use the higher type handle bars.

[Jmo]

From looking at your photos (nice), it seems I have the Euro bars.  It's curious because I read somewhere that the LS sold in this country came with the higher bars.  I kinda wish that I had those because mine are definitely too low for long distances.

Not a good picture of the LS but at least it's fresh, a couple of days old.

And my current project, a K75S.

[EGRG]

Great looking bike and project.
The higher bars are very confortable. The riding position has no pressure on your wrists. At speed you end up not helping your bike with the wind resistance though.
The end mirrors on your bike are cool.
I just missed out on a inexpensive K75 for sale that had minor issues that I would've liked to purchase.

[nhmaf]

Yes, those are the low bars - the high bars are about 4-5" rise and are much longer - they pull way back - sorta feels like riding an 80s cruiser-style bike in comparison..






I no longer have these - gave them to one of our R65 members in the midwest a few years ago when I went from the high bars to the low bars..

[Jmo]

I think those high bars would look odd in my LS.  Maybe I'm just used to the look of the low bars.

The K bike is nice, Victor.  It's a completely different animal.  More power but  doesn't handle as nicely.

[Jmo]

I think those high bars would look odd in my LS.  Maybe I'm just used to the look of the low bars.

The K bike is nice, Victor.  It's a completely different animal.  More power but  doesn't handle as nicely.

[R65LS]

my '83 has the low bars, just like Jmo.

Cheers,

Carl

[Julio A.]

Wow, that is one good looking LS there.

[tvrla]

Very nice looking bike, Jmo.

[Jmo]

thnks guys.  My next project is to paint the headers and mufflers glossy black w hi temp paint.  Will probably do the wheels glossy black as well just for the hell of it.  Can always paint them back in silver if I don't like.

[montmil]

 ...My next project is to paint the headers...

Perhaps save yourself the time, frustration and expense. I have yet to find a hi-temp paint that will withstand more than a few minutes on the headers where they exit the heads. You can watch the paint blister during the first start up.

I know of some ceramic exhaust coatings, originally developed for the aviation industry, which have segued into the bike and automotive market -Jet Hot is one I'm familiar with. Not really economical but the finish does stay on.  

[nhmaf]

The POR-15 black velvet manifold paint won't blister, but it is a flat black, kinda BBQ grill color and not shiny at all.   Will have to be redone every couple of years, too.