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Author Topic: R65 Speedo  (Read 2553 times)

wmsoller

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R65 Speedo
« on: February 13, 2012, 03:53:46 PM »
Any suggestions for a place to have a r65 speedo rebuilt for a reasonable price? Thanks.

tvrla

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Re: R65 Speedo
« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2012, 05:22:37 PM »
Cheapest I've heard is about $180 from Overseas Speedo in Austin. But I do them for less than that.

What's wrong with yours?

wmsoller

  • Guest
Re: R65 Speedo
« Reply #2 on: February 14, 2012, 12:33:09 PM »
Part of a restoration project. I discovered someone had pried off the face at some point...can than be fixed? I'm at wmsoller@yahoo.com. Can I send you some pics and see what you think?

tvrla

  • Guest
Re: R65 Speedo
« Reply #3 on: February 14, 2012, 01:02:06 PM »
Sure, send me some pix!

I can't resist body work and straightening things, so the bezels leave here in much better condition.

But it also depends how bad it's been buggered. If it's ripped, I'll solder them back together, but it's also possible I can get a replacement. I hadn't needed to up to this point, but since it is a plain flat bezel in a common size, I may be able to get new ones.

You can reach me at terryvrla@hotmail.com.


wmsoller

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Re: R65LS Speedo
« Reply #4 on: February 15, 2012, 07:53:56 AM »
Any info out there on the correct speedo for a R65LS? I recently bought an '82 as a restoration project, which came with an 80 mph speedo. Not certain if this is stock or it would have been an 120 mph. Any info or thoughts? Thanks.

Offline Bob_Roller

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Re: R65 Speedo
« Reply #5 on: February 15, 2012, 08:10:32 AM »
If the bike was manufactured in the first month or two of the '82 model year production, it's possible that the '81 style speedometer was installed at the factory, until they used all of the previous production year's parts .

But then again with the bike being 30 years old, anything is possible with previous owner(s) .

Not too uncommon to see an early '82 LS with ATE calipers instead of Brembo's .
« Last Edit: February 15, 2012, 10:43:47 AM by Bob_Roller »
'81 R65
'82 R65 LS
'84 R65 LS
'87 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario
'02 R1150R
Riding all year long since 1993 .
I'll give up my R65, when they pry my cold dead hands from the handlebars !!!!!

bmwhacker

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Re: R65 Speedo
« Reply #6 on: February 15, 2012, 09:15:47 AM »
My 1982 R65 has an odometer glitch:
When I hit about 65mph the far left number starts spinning wildly, stopping where ever it feels like.
 I bought the bike with "43k" miles....my first ride ended at "13k" miles.
The trip odometer works fine.
Is this a common problem?
Is it repairable?
Can I repair it myself?

Offline Bob_Roller

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Re: R65 Speedo
« Reply #7 on: February 15, 2012, 09:50:51 AM »
It's a common problem, I think that the gears start slipping on a shaft, when they should be moving with it .

A few members here have gone into the speedometer and successfully repaired them .

Just remember, that no parts are available, if something breaks during your repair, unless you have a 'donor' speedometer to rob parts from .
« Last Edit: February 15, 2012, 10:42:36 AM by Bob_Roller »
'81 R65
'82 R65 LS
'84 R65 LS
'87 Moto Guzzi V65 Lario
'02 R1150R
Riding all year long since 1993 .
I'll give up my R65, when they pry my cold dead hands from the handlebars !!!!!

Offline montmil

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Re: R65 Speedo
« Reply #8 on: February 15, 2012, 10:25:54 AM »
I don't recall the exact years, but the US Gubmint mandated lower speed markings on auto and motorcycle speedometers during the gas crisis of, what's it been, 30+ years. Remember the 55 mph max speed on Interstate highways? Our elected officials "helping" us.
Monte Miller
Denton, TEXAS
1978 BMW R100S
1981 BMW R65
1983 BMW R65
1995 Triumph Trophy
1986 VW Cabriolet

tvrla

  • Guest
Re: R65 Speedo
« Reply #9 on: February 15, 2012, 10:27:03 AM »
Like Bob said, it's a common problem with a gear deep in the mechanism that starts slipping. It's a good idea to disconnect the cable when that starts happening because the gears can lock up which will cause other damage - like stripping the nylon helical input gears. Those suckers are $25 each if you can find them.

Not worth taking the chance.

It's possible to fix it yourself - just depends on how mechanically inclined you are and your enjoyment of solving puzzles - like of the Chinese kind. How's your patience quotient?

As for Bill's 80mph speedo, I agree - if the bike is an early build, it's quite possible it came with an 80. I wonder how long it took to run out of the 80s and get back to the 120s?

On another note, Bill asked why no one likes the 80s and I had a hard time answering that one. I know, for me personally, that the 80s just don't look as cool as a 120. That, and the bike is good for more than 80, so why not have an instrument that measures the full range?

Offline Dave 2

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Re: R65 Speedo
« Reply #10 on: February 15, 2012, 01:50:47 PM »
Quote
I don't recall the exact years, but the US Gubmint mandated lower speed markings on auto and motorcycle speedometers during the gas crisis  
The Secretary of Transportation under Jimmie Carter I believe was Jill Clayborn. I think she wanted to take all the fun/testosterone out of the automobile industry.  [smiley=whip.gif]. With wimpy underpowered cars and 85 MPH speedos so all of us auto eunuchs would not be tempted to drive at unreasonable speeds over 85 :-? and save lots of gas. I was happy when Regan's election took care of the problem. D2

Offline marcmax

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Re: R65 Speedo
« Reply #11 on: February 15, 2012, 03:48:46 PM »
There is a place in Newport News, VA that makes replacement odometer gears for BMW R and K bikes.
 
http://www.odometergears.com/products/BMW/R+%26+K+Motorcycles/42

They are not cheap and you better know what you need. On my K bike it was cheaper to find a non-working donor unit and salvage the parts I needed.
Keep your bike in good repair: motorcycle boots are not comfortable for walking.

1982 R65ls    1984 R65ls

tvrla

  • Guest
Re: R65 Speedo
« Reply #12 on: February 15, 2012, 09:09:34 PM »
Those gears may be for an R series, but they don't look like any in the airhead speedometers. Also, I've never seen any of the gears strip out except for the helical drives in the input side.

And those 80mph speedos did about as much good slowing people down as prohibition kept people from drinking!

Offline Dave 2

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Re: R65 Speedo
« Reply #13 on: February 16, 2012, 05:24:57 AM »
Quote
The Secretary of Transportation under Jimmie Carter I believe was Jill Clayborn
For what it is worth I had this wrong. Joan Claybrook was head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under Carter from 1977-1981. D2

MR.E

  • Guest
Re: R65 Speedo
« Reply #14 on: February 19, 2012, 01:28:35 PM »
now then

not read the whole thread, but i've a speedo from an 1981 R65.
It's in the cellar i think, it worked when i took it off mine, your welcome to it if it helps you out

Elliott