R65 vs. R65LS

[awaffa2003]

besides the mini fairing and reat seat cowling what's the difference??? just a thought...

[Bob_Roller]

For the 1982 model year, other than the obvious fairing, the tail section is different, it has hand holds.

The rims are different, they are two piece pressure cast different design, some came painted some didn't.

The rear  brake drum is a different size, so a standard R65 brake shoe set won't work on an LS.

The LS has twin front discs, the standard for the rest of the R65 production had one disc.

There was a difference in carburetor jet sizes.

The exhaust system was painted in a flat black color, and didn't last as long as a chrome plated version.

I believe the handlebars were a bit different, but can't remember exactly the difference.

The brake calipers were black painted Brembo's instead of the standard ATE ( pronounced ah-tay ).

But for the most part, it was a styling excerise.

The standard R65 and the LS are  the same bike with the exceptions noted.

[Justin B.]

Bob pretty much hit everything that I could remember, and then some.  I would just add that along with the tail cowl being different the actual seat is cut differently as well and the under-seat cubby box is shaped differently to conform to the cowl.  Another thing I have noticed is that I tink all LS bikes had the bottom couple of inches of the tank painted flat black and I have seen flat black side covers on some whose owners claim to be original.

[SCJJR65]

But those LSs look soooooooooooo cool.......  8-)  (sigh....)

[nhmaf]

Bob and Justin got them all, I believe.
There were (2) versions of handlebars, both were painted black, as well.  The US versions had close to 3" rise and were fairly wide.  They looked rather out of place on a bike that was styled to look like you should be leaning down onto the little wedge shaped fairing to ride it.   The euro-version bars as much lower and shorter, and close to the bars from the R100RS, also painted black.  

I think that the Polaris silver ones were all silver as far as bodywork goes, while the Henna Red models did indeed have a flat black painted lower fuel tank and black sidecovers, intended to make things appear longer/sleeker, I think.

The white epoxy paint used on the Red LS's wheels is annoyingly well known for flaking off in large unsightly chunks.  The paint on all the 2-part alloy wheels tends to crack along the seam where the rim part meets the spoke part of the wheel, but this is a simple cosmetic issue and is not a safety concern.

Here is my shop foreman inspecting my reassembly work this past summer:

[steve hawkins]

There is even less difference with regard to R65's of a similar age in the UK, as all ours had double disks and went to brembos at the same time as the LS.

Did not think the jetting was any different.

not sure about the rear brake though.

hey ho

steveH

[Frank_M]

I still have the Rider's Handbook for my 82. Its cover says it's for the 45, 65, and 65LS. The two side photos at the front are of an LS, and it shows a kickstarter. Was this an exception? Or perhaps the norm in Europe, but not in the States?

[suecanada]

My original R65LS brought over from Germany had a kickstarter (Jim Rillie's bike now) My 1983 R65LS which I have today does not have a kickstarter.

I have a USA and Canada 1981 printed brochure which shows the Polaris Silver model R65LS with the bottom of the gastank painted black. And there are flat black battery cover side panels on both red and silver bikes. On the same brochure the R65 has matching silver battery covers.

On the 1982 german printed brochure, R65LS's the brake calipers are black...Brembo?? And on the USA/Canada brochure the brake calipers are silver with a black cap on both the R65 and the R65LS, the part ya flip off.....ATE's?

Brake size rear: 1981 USA/ Canada brochure: R65 diameter 200mm; R65LS 220mm
Wheels:  R65 pressure cast light alloy wheels:1.85 Bx18 Front and 2.50 Bx18 Rear
              R65LS compound cast light alloy wheels: 2.15 Bx18 Front and 2.50 Bx18 Rear

Chrome mirrors on the R65 and black ones on the R65LS.

I have a sneaky suspicion that brake types varied even on the same model for instance...my US 1983 has Brembo's. Maybe ATE went out of fashion for USA models after first year production?? Anyone??? Whose got what brake type?

Anyway I'm getting off track here, sorry.

[Justin B.]

Seems like we've had this brake discussion before and I don't remember any rhyme-or-reason to what bikes had what brand of brakes.  Ours have the following:

1980 R65    - Single ATE
1982 R65LS - Dual Brembo
1984 R65    - Single Brembo

Our US version 1980 R65 has a kicker tranny and I have been told they could be special ordered that way.  

[donbmw]

My 82 R65 that I bought new has single Brembo, My 80 R65 has dual ATE.

Don

[MrRiden]

Brakes on my Early production '82 R65LS are dual ATE. I also have the high bars, silver painted side covers and the original style exhaust. No kicker on this bike but It sure would be neat to add one. I'm missing the inside faring cover panels and haven't seen any available tho they are listed in some parts outlets. I always get a 'sorry try again' message when I try to order them up. I have an Idea to make some out of sheet metal but lack the tooling.
rich