R65 Oddity

[Barry]

What do you notice strange about this 1980 R65 ?

A while back we had a new member who's bike seemed to be a hybrid model with some features from the 1980 model and some from the 1981.

Well here it is only this one is from a BMW sales brochure so they really did  make a hybrid with the airfilter and carbs from the 81 and the seat and frame from the 1980.  God knows whether it has Nickasil bores and the host of other small differences etc.

[Lucky_Lou]

Mmmm it has ATE brakes i have only seen them with Brembo when they have the ugly airbox, wonder if it has the lighter flywheel.
Lou

[georgesgiralt]

Lou,
My R65 made in '82, was sold with two ATE and a black airbox, and of course the light flywheel...
When I bought it the dealer had an R45 with a Brembo (82 also) and another R65 with Brembo ....

[nhmaf]

I think that the BMW production line was pretty well known for "using up any leftover parts" while assembling the newer model units.   There were/are certainly a number of 1980+ bikes wearing the ATE calipers from the factory instead of the Brembos.  IT makes things a bit frustrating, sometimes.

[Mike V]

True Mike, I learned that the hard way when restoring my 81 R65.  It was a hit or miss proposition (frustrating) ordering rebuild and replacement parts.  My 81 was fitted with OEM dual ATE' brakes which seem to be a rarity in 81 production bikes...sort of.  My saving grace was holding on to the old parts for positive matches during rebuild.  I'm glad I have them, they work surprisingly well when properly tuned.

-Mike V.

[Olliepup]

From my 34 years in the auto industry, I know we generally let the old parts get used up before installing the new ones. This was to eliminate obsolescence and hold costs down. Also, the sales brochure is generally produced way before a model is finalized. We took prior model year cars and dolled them up with new parts and took the brochure pictures. We didn't always get it right. That's why we always said, "We reserve the right to make product changes and substitutions."

Wavy Dave
1986 R65 mono shock

[Lucky_Lou]

Lou,
My R65 made in '82, was sold with two ATE and a black airbox, and of course the light flywheel...
When I bought it the dealer had an R45 with a Brembo (82 also) and another R65 with Brembo ....

I thought they stopped fitting ATE in 79, my brothers 81 had Brembo, it looks like a USA spec as it has the California Clean air system on it.
Lou

[Bob_Roller]

The North American version '81 model year bikes, came with dual ATE calipers and some early '82 model year LS bikes had the ATE's as well .

[Barry]

In the Sales brochure picture above, is it me or does the "ugly airbox" (Lou's words but I agree) look shorter than later flat filter airbox ?

I read somewhere recently that about this time there was a one off filter size made that is no longer available.

[Speyman]

My March 1981 North American R65 has the ugly airbox and twin ATE calipers. All black but the seat is not original.

[Bob_Roller]

The airbox and cover look about right, but it is a bit dark in that area .

One of our members here, sempergumby, has an '80 model and if I'm not mistaken, he has the second generation/ugly airbox on his bike .

His bike may have been a late '80 model year bike, or a previous owner may have 'modified' it hard to say .

[Ed Miller]

My March 1981 North American R65 has the ugly airbox and twin ATE calipers. All black but the seat is not original.

As does my November 1980 (so '81 model) black R65.  I don't think the airbox is particularly ugly though.  The whole bike seems to be focused on function over form.  That's OK with me.

[Barry]

About these ugly airboxes.

We early model owners were only pulling the leg of you later model owners.  What with our unsophisticated iron bores and points ignition we need something to crow about  ..... and by the way our seats may be ugly but they are more comfortable  

[tvrla]

1980 was the first year of the flat air filters. 1979, last year of the round filter, had the starter cover with the cast in scoop where the earlier ones were rubber with a plastic grille.

My 81 R65 had the dual ATE calipers and I loved them. They work every bit as well as the Brembos, but I think they're prettier.

[georgesgiralt]

Hello !
My '82 R65 was fitted with 2 ATE callipers. Now it has a double Brembo.
Why ? Because the ATE are prone to rust and corrosion (even if you use the bike everyday for commuting to work)
So I began to have a big mark on one piston (the handlebar grip had a "blump" when you brake)
I was beyond repair (I dismantled it and asked the price of the parts to repair. then I put the old parts in..... ) After a few weeks the second calliper experienced the same behaviour and, as I had started to save money, I bought a couple of Brembo from the dealer... Ouch. It was before the Internet and one had to buy at the dealer....
Since, my bike is as perfect as the first day (as far as braking is concerned...)