79-80 R65 VS 81 AND NEWER

[sdsc71]

I HAD A QUESTION REGARDING THE 81 AND NEWER R65'S WITH THE "Nikasil hard plating" CYLINDER HEADS. DOES IT MATTER, OR IS SOMETHING I NEED TO BE LOOKING AT, WHEN PURCHASING ONE OF THESE BIKES? ALSO, THE LS VERSION, IS IT WORTH IT TO BY PASS THE REGULAR R65'S? IT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A HUGE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO. SAME ENGINE, A LITTLE MORE HP AND TORQUE. I KNOW THE BARS ARE DIFFERENT, ALONG WITH DUEL BRAKES, STYLING Q'S, AND OF COURSE THE FRONT FAIRING. I'M JUST TRYING TO GAGE WHAT I NEED TO BE LOOKING AT (AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR)? ANY OF YOU "AIRHEADS" OUT THERE, HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS? I'M ALL EYES AND EARS. I'D REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP ON THE SUBJECT.  :-/  ANY INFO, OR ADVICE WOULD BE MOST WELCOME, THANK YOU.

[Barry]

All of the 81- on engines including all LS models have Nikasil plated bores which can last to very very high mileages but cannot be re-bored. The engine got another 5 BHP at the same time due to bigger valves and a little more torque at higher revs.

I think most people would say if you find a nice LS and you like the style... buy it as they are likely to become more collectable.

Some good general info here
http://www.roadkill.com/~davet/moto/R65LS.faq.html
http://www.roadkill.com/~davet/moto/R65.faq.html

[Lucky_Lou]

I have a 79 and have riden my brothers 81, there seems to be very little differance in performance but i do like my riding position with high bars and spitfire screen a much more comfortable set up IMHO which would not be possible on a LS.
Lou

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Sorry Lou, but many of the LS's that came to the US had high bars, I guess.

I like the look of the air box on the earlier bikes.

The rear glove box under the seat is much nicer on the later bikes than the earlier.

The LS has wheels, wheel bearings and rear brake shoes that are different from any other R65.  And then there are those easily breakable bits on the fairing.

Some people have strong negative feeling about the brown seat cover that was used on the early bikes.  I liked mine, while it lasted.  Right now I have a solo seat on, but if I ever do go back to a bench seat, it will be from a later model, for the previously mentioned glove box.  There are slight (but important) differences in the sub-frames for the two different year ranges.

[Lucky_Lou]

Sorry Lou, but many of the  LS's that came to the US had high bars, I guess.

thought they couldn't be fitted for the fairing??.. hey ho not the first time i got something wrong. I do like the engine with clam shells, the square plastic box looks like an after thought and out of place.
 given the cost difference of the air filters if i were keeping an 81+ i would retro fit them.
Lou

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Yes, I thought the flat filters were significantly more expensive than the round, but I had forgotten.