Instruments housing (instrument shroud) change

[kurren]

I need some help,
I bought a new instrument housing (or shroud) for my R65 and trying to take off the old (broken one). I'm talking here about the top part of the rubber housing (the one with the logo, see attached picture). I'm stuck trying to taking off the old one, since the black ignition switch ring is obstructing it (I'm referring to the black metal ring where the ignition states are engraved: off/parking lights on/on /on with parking lights/on full lights).

Question is, do I have to take off the whole ignition switch or that black ring unscrew or something.
Thanks for your attention.

[Jon_P]

there should only be a nut over that black ring and then it should come off. the ignition switch will stay mounted on the headlamp/instrument mount.

[nhmaf]

If you see (2) small holes in that black ring, then it is threaded and you just take a circlip tool (if you have one, if not,
see if you have a pair of needle nose pliers that willfit the tip of each part of the nose into one of the
holes... if you don't have one of those, try using (2) small nails (one in each hand) and rotate the ring
anti clockwise to unscrew it.  The ignition switch will stay in place.   I have an 82 R65LS model, which has this
little black metal ring - your model may be different, I suspect, in regard to this bit.

[NC Steve]

I wonder what would be involved in running an R65 sans the whole instrument surround/dash setup, kinda /6 style?

Has anybody here tried it on a non-cafe bike, just to clean up the bars and gauge cluster a bit?
If so, please post a pic or 2.

[kurren]

Thanks for your tips,
thanks nhmaf, I have those two small holes and actually I guessed they were somehow involved in the process. Thanks for the picture as I can see what kind of tool I do need (even if buying that just for this task could be quite expensive... I'll probably give it a try using something else as you suggest).

NC Steve, I'm working to my R65 to fix all the things previous owner(s) let go unattended but also to turn it 'cafe racer' and yes I thought of remove the housing all the way. For the moment I'll put the new shroud on, but definitely looking at a 'naked' instruments solution. I'm just a bit worried about the back of the instruments, with the free cables and all. For example while the revolution counter as a back black housing, the speedometer does not (I'm not sure if this is something of my own bike or the default configuration).

Thanks again for yr help.

[tagordon]

There are two little clips as well. That hold it on the bracket. Look underneath from the side & you can see them. You can release them easily with needle nose pliers, forceps or even pushing with a screwdriver. Check before reinstalling to see if they need to be expanded back to original state. So they snap back to retain the surround.
I am evaluating relocating my various cables that run under this piece. Look closely & you will see that they put a big strain on this at times. Bounce the front forks & you'll see what I mean. I have been holding off repairing (again) or replacing mine until I can possibly relieve this stress. As my best price for a new surround has been $120.00USD plus shipping.
BTW I have repaired this & it promptly broke a couple days after I reinstalled. When I bottomed the front in a pothole.

[Ed Miller]

Needle nosed pliers are cheap and useful for more than this job.

Removing the cover makes the other stuff look funny, with wires hanging out and the turn signal indicators just hanging there helplessly.  I wouldn't mind cleaning mine up but I think I would have to follow the cafe racer's styling and instruments, which is likely more than I will pay.

You could, as some do, learn to (heart) your pod.  

[NC Steve]

Yeah Ed, after I posted that I took a look at my pod and realized I'd kinda forgotten about the embedded signal lenses, and never was quite too sure about what all wiring lived beneath the thing. Ah well, it was a thought.
My speedo's dead already, so maybe someday if the tach goes too I'll try a /6 or /7 gauge switchover: I just like the cleaner look w/o the pod.

And

You could, as some do, learn to (heart) your pod.  

I'm sorry, I heart my R65, bigtime, but that pod's a face that only a mother could heart  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

And

You could, as some do, learn to (heart) your pod.  

I'm sorry, I heart my R65, bigtime, but that pod's a face that only a mother could heart  

Just call me "mom"!!!