R65RS conversion

[Doc_Qanai]

[size=12]I am interested in converting a 1981 R65 to an R65RS. Other than mounting the RS fairing (which is an easy thing), and changing the handlebars (also an easy thing), what other modifications have people done to make this work? What electrical modifications? What about the instrument cluster?

Doc[/size]

[Justin B.]

Do some searches, this was covered in detail recently.

[nhmaf]

Our friend Trolle in the often gray and misty northern reaches of Europe has done a splendid job of this very thing quite recently.

[larstorders]

Hi Doq. justin Trolle and myself have done RS conversions to our R65s
Checkout the r100rs fairing thread in the tech section.
 Be aware that this will change your R65 significantly from a sporty (for an older BMW)light flickable machine into a less sporty less light less flickable machine.
Although it will now be an all weather comfort bike that will tempt you to cruise at much higher speeds for day after day, with the greatly reduced wind pressure. Unfortunately, fuel consumption will increase accordingly.
Good luck if you decide to go for it. Another R65Rs club member would be fantastic.

[larstorders]

Regarding instrument cluster I am just finishing a revision to my setup. I'll post a pic by the weekend if possible. Electrical connections: I believe Trolle has left his as original. I moved my ignition switch onto the fairing dashboard, and fitted the original clock and voltmeter using block connectors and heat shrink insulation to make my cables.

[trolle]

The RS fairing has its own wiring with connections to turning lights, position light, voltmeter and time piece. This wiring has a six port spade male connector to which I have connected the turning lights from the main wiring, two grounds, the instrument lightning, an always live wire from the special equipments connector (the blue one below the tank at the right side) and the voltmeter connection.

The other important thing is brake hoses: You will have to order a special made hose to connect main cylinder and divider (if you have two frontbrakes) as the stock is too short. This hose is with banjos at both ends and must be 320 mm long between centers of banjos. Banjos must be situated at 90 degrees.

The stock RS hoses from divider to caliper are too short as well and cannot be used with the divider of the R65 but if you use a pair of metal pipes like the one on the caliper to connect the hoses to the divider, you will have a nice looking solution.

Be careful that wires, control cables or brake hoses do not get between the forks and the frontlight ears as this will hinder your steering as well as endanger the wires etc.

I will post some pics of my solution to the few problems this conversion gives.

greetings from a nice, warm and sunny north (it happens!)

[Landlubber]

I solved my idea of an RS conversion by going out and buying an R100RS. It was an old fella, only cost $2k, so it will be cheaper and better in the long run than converting.

That way I have the great floppy R65LS and the nice tourer, if you look at the costs, there is bugger all difference.

[trolle]

only cost $2k

That is about the cost of my conversion, and this includes a "new" tank, new tail piece, new gaskets and gasoline pipes, new rear tire, new stainless steel exhaust and mufflers, stainless steel bolts and nuts, new brake piston and gaskets, and a total paint job.

greetings from a very windy, cool and sunny north

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Doc,

If you decide to go with this, I have the alternative instrument mount that was made for the R65s.  It eliminates the headlight and T.S. mounts.
I bought it from Justin here on the board, but it was more of a hoarder thing than actually needing it.

I doubt I will ever need it.  It is new-old stock.
Drop me an email if you are interested.

Also, trolle said:
"The stock RS hoses from divider to caliper are too short as well and cannot be used with the divider of the R65 but if you use a pair of metal pipes like the one on the caliper to connect the hoses to the divider, you will have a nice looking solution."

I also have a spare one of those metal pipes (left side, '79 model) if you think you might want one.

[Doc_Qanai]

The RS fairing has its own wiring with connections to turning lights, position light, voltmeter and time piece. This wiring has a six port spade male connector to which I have connected the turning lights from the main wiring, two grounds, the instrument lightning, an always live wire from the special equipments connector (the blue one below the tank at the right side) and the voltmeter connection.

The other important thing is brake hoses: You will have to order a special made hose to connect main cylinder and divider (if you have two frontbrakes) as the stock is too short. This hose is with banjos at both ends and must be 320 mm long between centers of banjos. Banjos must be situated at 90 degrees.

The stock RS hoses from divider to caliper are too short as well and cannot be used with the divider of the R65 but if you use a pair of metal pipes like the one on the caliper to connect the hoses to the divider, you will have a nice looking solution.

Be careful that wires, control cables or brake hoses do not get between the forks and the frontlight ears as this will hinder your steering as well as endanger the wires etc.

I will post some pics of my solution to the few problems this conversion gives.

greetings from a nice, warm and sunny north (it happens!)

[size=12]Trolle,

Have you posted the photos yet? If so, where might I find them?

Doc[/size]

[trolle]

Hi Doc

Try http://picasaweb.google.com/petertrolle/BMWR65RS?authkey=Gv1sRgCKrasd_7xsmOsQE&feat=directlink
where you might find what you are looking for.

greetings from a windy and sunny north