When is an R65LS NOT an R65LS? (Trick question...

[Hybrid]

Answer: When it's an R100GS with LS-bodywork!

Just finished the conversion, and had to share it with my fellow lovers of R65's...  Here's the final (or, current, anyway) version:

http://www.barqueiro.net//Bikes/BMWs/images/R100GS-LS_Streetfighter.JPG

Another view:
http://www.barqueiro.net//Bikes/BMWs/images/R100GS-LS_Streetfighter-1.JPG

Now, I have the power and suspension of a GS with (sorta) the styling of an LS - or, at least, an LS that took steroids mixed with some LSD, perhaps!  Weigh in - yea or nay?

[montmil]

Very sharp, Raul. Custom without too much bling. The red accents work, too.

BTW... You been doing some soda blasting? What's with that white stuff piled in your yard? Upper 60sF to lower 70sF here in North Texas. I just return from a short ride with helmet and T-shirt.

Monte

[Hybrid]

Thanks for the feedback, Monte!  As for the "white stuff", believe me, you don't want to know!  (Sheesh!  Talk about rubbing it in...!)

 

The upside of our ungodly winters here is that it makes us appreciate the Spring that much more!  I'll tell you, that first shakedown run last Friday (illegally, by the way, since the law here says all vehicles have to have winter tires between December 15th and March 15th - and, last time I checked there's no such thing for a motorcycle...) felt like I'd died and gone to heaven - even if it was all of 4 degrees or so (Celsius, so maybe 40 degrees Fahrenheit).

And, the bike passed with flying colours (mostly RED!); everything worked perfectly, the wind protection was very similar to what it was with the stock GS windshield, and it just felt right.  Plus, even though I never saw another purple GS on the road in the 20 years I've owned it, it's that much more unique now.

Functionality is, if anything, improved, since I can have the lower sport handlebar that I like without having to limit my steering lock (which was the case with the frame-mounted stock GS fairing).  Plus, I've added some storage space under the tailsection (which removes with two Dzus quarter-turn fasteners), which is also pretty handy.

I'm pleased as hell with the conversion; now, I've got both the function and the form I wanted.

Ride safe; keep the shiny side up!

[suecanada]

Raul, that is just a great looking LS! Errr... anyhoo, just wondering what you used as your handlebar shields..they do not seem to have a bar-end attachment rod which is good to see as I have napoleon mirrors on my LS. I like the shields simply to ward off rain and cold; not branches!

Here in Meaford, ON  we are waiting like you...tomorrow is your day to not need snow tires!! Have fun!!!
I wonder if they would consider the sheet metal screws in our tires or ice studs to be a motorcycle approved winter tire??? Too bad they outlawed studs years ago in S. ON....maybe in all of ON for all I know.

[Hybrid]

Thanks, Sue!  The handguards are the stock R100GS items; I imagine they'd fit with little or no modification on an LS.  And yup, they sure do help, especially in conjunction with the heated grips.  (And, with our weather up here in the Frozen North, God knows we can use all the help we can get!)

I'm not sure what the situation is in Quebec regarding the studs, but I don't think they're legal here, either.  And, in any case, even if they were legal, they'd mangle our roads even more than they are - and, you'll probably agree that we sure don't need that!


Cheers!

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I immediately recognized your dash board.  Someone (your mechanic?) posted it on Boxerworks.

It looks good!

[Hybrid]

Hi Rob,

Yup - gspd did the paint and some of the fabrication, including integrating the stock R100GS instrument light nacelle into the dash panel for an R65.  (Necessary, because even though the two models have the same size instruments, the R100GS instruments don't have the built-in neutral, charging and oil pressure lights...)

He also helped modify the LS fairing to make it work with the headlight assembly off a Kawasaki ZX6, as well as a few other little bits here and there.  Handy guy, that gspd!

Cheers!