R65 Saddle bags

[BigJohn]

I have an '81 R65 and I'd like to put some hard bags on the back. However, searching eBay turns up a multitude of different types of bags and none are listed as being specifically for the R65.  Many of you have bags so can you please tell me what fits? Can I use any of the 70's and 80's hard bags like Krauser? The bike came with only a left side rack, but that's not too bad of a problem yet (if someone has a right side {and/or a set of bags} they would like to sell please let me know!) Thanks in advance for helping out a new guy.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I have a set of bag mounts you could have for cheap.

I know of two different bags that mount to these mounts, and there are probably more.  The Krausers, as you mentioned, and the BMW touring bags, which, IMO, are a better bag.  They are deeper, so you can fit a helmet into them.  They fasten to the mounts more securely, and the latches that hold the lids shut are also more secure.

You don't have a LS model, do you?  That complicates things.

[Semper Gumby]

If you want to go expensive - Givi E46's mounted on universal plates onBMW/Krauser side racks with a Givi E52 mounted on a universal plate on the sames luggage rack.  You will have to re-enforce the luggage rack and most of the welds on the pannier rack.  You will also have to move the turn signals aft under the tail luggage rack.  Adds great utility though.



Easyier to see the turn signals in the second picture and the additional brace tubes....

[Justin B.]

A set that fits well with the lines and reduced size of the R65s are the Krauser Starlet (Starlite?) bags.  They are a bit smaller than the original Krauser (K1?) bags and also fit up to the BMW/Krauser bag mounts.  The only thing I had to do was to make new "seatbelt" latch plates that were about 1/4" longer than the originals.



I snagged these off UK e-Bay for cheap, even with the shipping.  If you get used vintage bags (or any exterior plastic piece in general) I would suggest that you try to find a set that come from a cooler climate.  In the US I have found items like this from the Pacific Northwest and the Northeastern part of the country are generally in good shape and have not gotten nearly as brittle as those that have lived down South all of their lives.

[Spinachpie]

Howdy. Equipping the '79 R65 was a bit of a dilemma for me. I couldn't find the luggage racks anywhere (affordable wise) , and wasn't sure which cases would fit the non existent luggage racks. I looked at the hepco and becker full rack system but it was pricey.  And I kind of wanted old Krauser bags and not brand new ones.

 http://www.eurotechmotorsports.com/forms/Query.cfm?do=detail&q_part=650%2E604%2000%2001&q_startrow=1301&Big=Yes

I located a guy in Austin Texas who had won a new set on Ebay but couldn't get them attached to his bike. I directed him to the parts fiche at MAXBMW and asked him if   the mounting was the same, and he said they were different than the diagram in the fiche.

http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/MainDiagrams.asp?mospid=47851
(look under Frame & Fairing)

You'll notice these mounts are drawn so that the bottom brace attaches to the SIDE of the frame but that's not how it works in the world of 79 R65! Each brace mounts to the top of that lower frame, contrary to what the parts fiche implied. (Visible in Semper Gumby's very sweet Givi Set-up)

The racks I received from the gent in Austin ($75 shipped, virtually new and chromed) went on quick and smooth. Finding the bags however, was harder because the "Should fit most Airhead Twins" description hadn't worked so far in my very limited experience with buying parts for the R65. So I was wary. I eventually found a nice set with keys (from a different guy in Austin) and counted the minutes until they arrived. (Watch out for shipping costs on bags, especially if you buy them through Ebay shipped UPS.) They did not go on the mounts because the blinkers got in the way. I got the blinker bar off and chopped each end by about 3/4 of an inch, re-cut the tabs where the blinker boxes set in and mount and presto, luggage! I can tell you that my first trip to the grocery store for more than just hamburger buns was pretty awesome.

[nhmaf]

Good job, Spinach !

They look good on your bike !
 [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Melena]

There are some nice looking bikes and nice saddle bags here.  I've seen Semper Gumby's when he rode out to California.   Justin's are nice, but they are a bit smaller than my BMW bags.   Spinachpie's are very nice, but those are larger than mine.  

I guess I was lucky that the bags were on my bike when I bought it.  I think it wouldn't be too hard to find some.  But I'll bet it's hard to find used ones that are in good condition.  

[Ralfred]

Hi Big John
I got a set of BMW bags ex 1979 R80 from e-bay (UK) along with the mounting brackets, as my bike is still, and will be for a long time in bits, they are not mounted, but the mounting brackets are identical to an old set I got along with the bike, e.g. 79 R65. One thing to note is that one of the panniers has a 2" hole burnt into the bottom adjacent to the muffler, poorly fitted ? one mod I will be making is to repair the pannier, then sandwich some heat retardent fabric between the bottom of the case and a s/steel plate I will fabricate. Hope this info helps.     Regards  Ralfred

[Spinachpie]

For bag repair, this link looked promising:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Motorcycle-technical-articles/repairing-abs-bags.htm

[plc]

I purchased direct from Siebenrock the re-makes of the original Krauser pannier cases (http://www.siebenrock.com/index1.php?sprache=en).  They look great and I also bought an internal bag for the left pannier.

They also sold me a second hand rack for my bike and you have to mount a little bracket for the new cases Hepco and Becker latch system.

When I have them fitted I will send some shots.  

Sibenrock were great to deal with, they happily answered my English e-mails (their English is better than my German). The shipping cost to Australia were very reasonable, as was the cost of the bags once VAT is removed and website discount included. Their website has lots of detailed pictures of the cases.

All the best,
Paul