Slash

[Air4Life]

It is my understanding that these bikes aren't included in the "slash" designation.  I thought I had read this in a unofficial but otherwise highly respected web source.  

If one insisted on placing a designation, would it be a /7?

[nhmaf]

The R65 bikes - even the earlier, 1st gen models from late 1978-1980, are still different from the R80/7, R100/7 contemporaries.   While many parts of the R80/7 and R100/7 are directly interchangeable (frame parts, swingarms, many engine components), the R65 series has its own unique frame, body parts, seat, and a number of engine parts.   Now, various parts are still interchangeable (such as rear wheel, final drive, transmission, starter, bean can, etc.) but quite a few parts do not.

So, it wouldn't make much sense to refer to it as a /7 as that would tend to infer a higher level of interchangeability.   There also was an R60/7 model that terminated in North America in either 1977 or early 1978.  The R65 models that filled in the gap after that were an almost completely new design, and which served as a test platform for a number of changes that BMW eventually included across the rest of the airhead model line.

Also, 1978 was basically the end of the /7 model designation for the airheads (for Nother America, anyhow).  For the 1979 model year, the R100 was called the R100T, and it also became the first year of the R100RT for the fully faired version).  The R80 followed this "re-identification" pattern as well.

[steve hawkins]

I agree with nhmaf, in fact I would suggest a /8 or even 9.

So the / was dropped on or around the time mentioned above.

I have a 1982 R100 which is just an R100 (i.e. it never had a fairing of any sort), No T or S even.  However it has the light flywheel and Brembo brakes, lighter starter motor, plastic airbox and master cylinder was on the handlebars.

My r65 was a 79, and it too differed from the /7 as nhmaf described.  But the post 81 R65 differed even more - more in line with my R100, i.e Brembo's, plastic airbox, lighter starter, etc.

So I would not use the / at all  - it will just confuse matters.

Rev. Light

[Air4Life]

   I've gotten asked that question by a couple of folks who apparently have some knowledge, and my only response to date has been that it's a 1983 R65.  Later on I'm thinking, boy, I must be an idiot for not knowing the identification of my bike.  Settled.  Thanks People.

[bruce_launceston]

The R65's are 248 series. Now I don't know if a similar numerical designation existed for the / series bikes or if this was started after the /7's.

[Barry]

Isn't it just the engine that is 248 vs 247 of the mainstream airheads ?

Are the later R80 and R100 engines also 247's  ?   I think they probably are.

[nhmaf]

I believe that the factory internal designation for the R80/R100 engine became "M65" for the 1980 year.   I suspect it probably changed again by the mid 80s when the R65 was re-introduced on the shared R80/R100 monolever platform, and probably changed even again before the end of production by 1995.