R65LS Panniers

[AJB]

So my 'new' LS came with pannier brackets but the panniers are long gone.  My question is, in 1982 which style of pannier would the bike have come with?  As far as I can see there were two styles - the classic Krausers or the squarer 'city' (?) type.

Am I right with my logic, and if so is one type more suited to the R65 than the other, or is it down to personal preference?

[Tony Smith]

.  My question is, in 1982 which style of pannier would the bike have come with?  As far as I can see there were two styles - the classic Krausers or the squarer 'city' (?) type.

Am I right with my logic, and if so is one type more suited to the R65 than the other, or is it down to personal preference?

You are on the money with your logic - 1982 could have been either the Krauser "starlets" or the BMW "square" cases.

FWIIW if your frames have the "seatbelt" type tongue on them, then Starlets were what was fitted, if not, probably the "square" boxes.

The Squarer ones are a little more waterproof and (IMO) look better, but they periodically break both frame locks and lid locks - which are still available but at $40AUD a time I resent the hell out of. Wife's starlets she bought in 1979 are still as good as the day she bought them.

[AJB]

No seatbelt type locks on my racks so I guess it must have been the square boxes, which suits me as I think I prefer how they look - although I haven't seen a lot of pictures of LS's with square boxes, so if you have any pictures post them up here!

[marcmax]

Can't say whether these came with the bike when new but they were on it when I bought it. They are definitely Krausers with the seat belt latch on the frames. Although it no longer looks it, this is a 1982 R65LS.

The only issue I have is the width. They are pretty wide and swinging my leg over the bike I always seem to hit the pannier on the opposite side. I found it much easier to put it on the side stand first before climbing aboard.

[thrang]

I've got the BMW panniers on mine and the locks are sh*te, but the boxes are pretty rugged and one of mine is at least 27 years old and still working although I do secure them to the bike with a couple of long velcro type cas-straps (originally intended to secure casualties to a mountain rescue stretcher) just in case the pannier mounting locks fail.

[marcmax]

This gives you an idea just how wide these panniers are. Definitely gives the old girl some wide hips.  

[wilcom]

gives the old girl some wide hips

Kim Kardashian has nothing on you !  LOL

[georgesgiralt]

Hello !
In 1984, I bought a new R65 from the dealer. I had to loan money from my mother in law to buy it... When I wanted to add panniers, I could not afford the BMW set but bought instead a set of Krauser.
Look at the leaflet below to see the kind of pannier BMW sold at that time and at a picture of my Krauser..

[AJB]

Hello !
In 1984, I bought a new R65 from the dealer. I had to loan money from my mother in law to buy it... When I wanted to add panniers, I could not afford the BMW set but bought instead a set of Krauser.
Look at the leaflet below to see the kind of pannier BMW sold at that time and at a picture of my Krauser..

Thanks Georges - however I can't see the leaflet that you mention (or a picture).  Am I missing something?

[Tony Smith]

Three Generations of airhead Panniers for you.


Firstly the Krauser "Starlets". I think that these were actually released specifically for the R65, the wife has a pair of these, purchased new in 1979 when she bought the R65 (now R65/80)
 
Next are the larger Krauser panniers, these came with the R65 I bought 20 years ago, I've never used them but they seem to have lots of clasps on them and the original "seat-belt" locks were glued on and have fallen off somewhere.

Lastly the BMW panniers, if memory serves these became available in around 1980/81, although my R100 came with pannier frames (and a rear carrier), I was initially a great believer in ex-army duffel bags and a swag, strapped to the seat & carrier - I got smarter....

[AJB]

I 'won' a pair of the later ones on ebay for a pony (25 GBP), so I'm waiting now to see what kind of condition they're in.  Looked good in the pictures, but you never know....

[k_enn]

I have a 1982 with the square (Denfield) bags.  If you are buying any, check them carefully.  At this point in time, they are likely to have cracks at any of a number of possible locations (but mostly the top surfaces).  The cracks may be small, but they will grow.  I hear that cement for ABS plastic does decent job of sealing and containing the cracks, but have not tired it myself.

k_enn

[AJB]

Received the bags and they're in pretty good condition considering the cost (and age), so I'm more than happy.  However, I now have two more questions:
1) There are no locks on the bags - either on the catches that hold them closed, or on the catches that secure the bags to the frames - is this normal?
2) One of the securing catches doesn't quite line up with the space in the frame that it should lock into - can they be adjusted side to side at all?  The frames aren't on the bike at the moment - I just offered them up to make sure that they would fit.

[AJB]

Ok - perhaps there are locks.  Just looked at the Motorworks website for locks, and saw where the keyholes are.  I'll have to admit that I didn't realise they lived under those little flaps (in fact I didn't realise that those lumps WERE flaps).

This is not somewhere I looked so there may be locks after all - unfortunately I've locked the bags away now so wont be able to check tonight, but I know I haven't looked there.......


However, even if there are locks there were no keys supplied, so I'm still lacking in security!

[Tony Smith]

However, even if there are locks there were no keys supplied, so I'm still lacking in security!

I would recommend the Monte method of security. As you break the odd lock you will rapidly accumulate an impressive key ring of keys just to get in and out of your panniers and to lock them to the frame. Better to make sure they are all unlocked and then put the keys out with the garbage.