New R65 Owner - Hello

[motogrizzo]

Hi,
I'm a new owner of a '79 R65! I picked it up yesterday. The previous owner took extremely great care of the bike and it's in great condition.

I can't wait to start riding it. I've been looking quite a while for something without a fairing to ride in warmer weather, mainly a European twin, like BMW, Guzzi, Ducati or Triumph. I looked at many bikes and am quite pleased with my new find.

My other bike is a 2003 Kawai Concours.

There are a few things that I hope I'll find help with here. One of the criteria for buying this bike was the great support from the owner group. I visited this site for a couple weeks before making the decision to buy the R65 from a list of other of the above makes. Finding this group was a major decision contributor. Seems like a nice group of folks here.

Hopefully, someone can tell me where I can find an instrument cluster top cover. Mine is in good shape but it is split on one side. It seems to be more of a rubber material compared to the lower instrument cover.

The other thing I'm looking for is panniers and pannier brackets. I've found brackets on Ebay, which I understand are different for R65's from the other airheads....right? Now, are the panniers themselves specific to the R65, too? I wasn't sure if the bracket will accept just about any pannier from that era, no matter which airhead model, just the bracket had to be specific. I'll be glad to get some help with this because it seems that it might be tough finding some nice panniers. Most of the fun is the hunt, that's what I love.

Well, I just wanted to introduce myself and say hello. I can't wait to start riding as soon as I register the bike!

Mike

[montmil]

Hiya, Mike, and welcome to the asylum!

There are several 1979 vintage R65s hereabouts so you'll be in good company.

The plastic-y instrument pod parts show up from time to time on eBay. Cracking is very common so use caution buying used ones. Here's a link to eBay and R65-specific parts. You may find the panniers and bits, too.

http://motors.shop.ebay.com:80/items/Parts-Accessories_Motorcycle-Parts-Accessories__W0QQ_nkwZbmwQ20R65QQ_fromfsbZ0QQ_trksidZm270

I have 1981 and 1983 R65s. The '81 instrument pod and gauges were yanked and replaced with a Vapor digital instrument. Two years and it's proven itself a terrific addition.

Monte

[Altritter]

Welcome, Mike! Of all the BMW sites I've visited, this is the most fun and arguably the most educational, by far. There are also a number of non-R65 airhead owners who hang out here, so I guess the word is out. (Maybe I should have written "owners of non-R65 airheads." One of the problems of the English language is that word order is important. Example: the difference in the meanings of "house cat" and "cat house."   )

Now, are the panniers themselves specific to the R65, too?  

You're correct—the pannier brackets (the BMW term is "bag mount") are R65-specific. and are not left/right interchangeable. So, care is advised when shopping sight-unseen.

Now, are the panniers themselves specific to the R65, too?  

I don't know if there are third-party or no-longer-available BMW panniers that fit the R65 bag mounts, but AFAIK, there is only one dealer-available BMW bag that fits the mounts. The official BMW nomenclature for the R65 pannier is now "BMW Touring Case, Left (or Right)." They were called "side panniers" in the original owner's manual.

If all else fails and you have to buy the cases new, the price of each bag is "naked," lacking a lock, BMW emblem (block-letter — older airhead bags had roundels, I understand), and side reflector. The latter items must be purchased separately, adding about 25% to the price of each bag. The price of each "bag mount" is naked, also. Each hardware item —bolt, nut, spacer, and washer — is individually priced.

As of 2007, both the cases and the mounts were available from BMW dealers (for some serious money). In case you need the BMW part numbers to confirm a prospective buy, here they are:


Mounts
46 54 1 239 484  Bag Mount *H R65 BLK
46 54 1 239 483  Bag Mount *H R65 BLK
07 12 9 922 705  Nut 6mm Aircraft (3 required)
07 11 9 936 425  6.4 washer (2 required)
07 11 9 913 019  Bolt 6X18 (2 required)
                            SS Hex Bolt 6X45 (1 required)
*Note: My list (from a dealer) shows both items as "LH" (left-hand). Beware!

Bags
46 54 2 315 183  Touring Case LH
46 54 2 315 184  Touring Case RH
5 125 2 303 383  Bag Lock Set 6pcs (1 required) (2 sets of 3 locks, w/ keys))
46 54 1 239 455  Emblem BMW Touring (2 required)
63 14 1 239 457  Bag Reflector (2 Required)

Good Hunting!
John

[Dizerens5]

The Classic pannier hard cases and frames (these are Hepco and Becker ones you see in all the photos!) are still available, at least in Europe, but are very high cost I think I paid about $600 equivalent last year. I don't think it was a good deal. The Givi stuff is better in every way and though it's not made for R65 a motorcycle mechanic could certainly adapt the Givi "Wingrack" to fit. That's what I should have asked for. The Wingrack would not obstruct rear wheel removal, the Givi cases are 100% waterproof even in hours of heavy rain and they never open when they should not. And they are interchangeable. I used them for years on several bikes. And the cases exist in several different sizes. Excellent stuff.

[montmil]

Mike, the guys at RePsycle BMW have some NOS chrome BMW bag racks. They are R65LS so I don't know if they would fit the standard R65 without mods. Two C-notes! Zoweee.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/74-85-BMW-R65-Bag-Mounts-Chrome-NOS-R65LS-/110519500782?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19bb79bfee#ht_2931wt_754

And a NOS pair for R65 specific at $190.00

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-R45-R65-Case-Holders-Right-Left-Set-NOS-/190430590049?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c568c3461#ht_749wt_724

They're out there, for a price.  :-?

[Altritter]

the guys at RePsycle BMW have some NOS chrome BMW bag racks. They are R65LS so I don't know if they would fit the standard R65 without mods.

LS riders, please add your opinions on the compatibility of LS mounts with the twin-shock R65 frame. IMO, Mike's '79 twin-shocker pre-dated the LS, so I'd be cautious without competent assurances of a fit.

Also, when I looked at the chrome racks on the eBay links, the thought struck me: One of the striking things about the LS is its black-instead-of-chrome motif (headers, pipes, mufflers, etc.). IMO, I have trouble seeing why anyone would put chrome racks on an LS. [At this point, I'm heading for the bunker in anticipation of retaliating fire from our LS-owning members who have chrome bag racks.] I have a black twin-shock R65 with chrome bars, headers, pipes, and mufflers, but black bag racks. Had I been given the choice of chrome bag racks, I likely would have opted for black instead, for aesthetic reasons. It simply looks better to my eyes. (One of my reasons for liking BMW bikes is my distaste for chrome in excess.)

[motogrizzo]

Wow. Thanks for all of the responses. I appreciate all of the info from you all. This is a great site!

This is my first BMW, so I'm picking up on the different engineering methods.

Well, I went for my first ride today, just around the neighborhood, it's not registered yet, it's insured, but no plates. Anyway, during my ride, the left turn signal switch broke and there's a buzzer that sounds like a back-up beeper that "alarms" when the turn signal is activated. Anyway, I took the switch pod apart and turned the signal off, but now I need to buy one. So, there will be a delay in being able to get the bike inspected.

Another thing that kind of bothers me and makes me wonder if it's a BMW thing or if someone made a modification....the side stand. This thing is heavily sprung. as soon as the bike is lifted, it pops up. So, it's tricky for me to put it down when I park because I have to literally hold it down as I lean the bike over to get off. It also poses a challenge when trying to use the center stand. I'm just wondering if this is normal or if a previous owner made a modification. There are two springs on the side stand, perhaps I can remove one of the springs. If this is normal, I'm sure I'll get used to it, but is doesn't seem like safe engineering.

Anyway, thanks for the info about the instrument cover, "bag mounts" and "touring cases." New names to learn! I appreciate it!

Please let me know if I should post the questions about the side stand and left switch gear in another thread. I don't want to abuse this thread if this isn't the right place.

Again, thanks! This is a cool place.

Mike

[Barry]

Mike

When it comes to ease of use stands are not a strongest point on our bikes. The original side stand does have 2 springs presumably as a safety back up in case one breaks. I agree the side stand is a pain to use and can't be deployed sat on the bike. You may read that some airhead side stands can be modified to stay down but I couldn't see how that could be done on a 79 model so  rightly or wrongly from the safety point of view I have removed one spring. It now retracts part of the way always enough to be safe and is very much easier to use. Try removing one spring and make your own decision on safety.

BTW while on the subject of stands after rolling the bike off the centre stand it's normal for it not to retract all the way without assistance. Its meant to make it easier to deploy the stand in the first place. Another odd feature that can irritate.

[Dizerens5]

A "Surefoot" sidestand will solve all your problems.

[darrylri]

As a computer programmer, I can say this with a straight face:

It's not a bug, it's a feature!

The sidestand is designed to keep you from riding away with the stand deployed and having an accident at the first left turn.  It works great for that.    It's possible to deploy the stand from the seat, but it takes some care in both doing it and in choosing where to park.  When in doubt, dismount first.  

The turn signal switch is an eventuality for all of the R65s, I think.  One or the other plastic arms breaks off the three position switch, and it doesn't look like a repairable item.  

But I'm surprised to hear that the buzzer is on your bike; I thought that BMW only did that for one year on the bigger bikes.  It only buzzes when the bike is in gear.  

BTW, welcome to the forum!

[Lucky_Lou]

Welcome to the Forum...
The Buzzer is a standard feature on the 79 US spec us poor Europeans have to do without !! when i rebuilt mine i sold the Panniers and rack on eBay for 140 pounds they were surplus to requirement but im regretting letting them go now.
I have no faith in the side stand i just get the feeling im going to turn round and find the old girl on the floor with her legs in the air
Lou

[Barry]

Lou

My 79 has the indicator beeper and it's shown on the euro wiring diagram.  I find it too loud -  tends to frighten pedestrians a bit so I quieten it down with some duct tape over the diaphragm.

To silence it completely there is a cable connector under the tank which could be pulled.

 It's amazing the trouble and complexity BMW went to with relays so it only works while the bike is moving and is silenced in neutral or when the clutch lever is pulled in.

Indicator beepers came in as a safety feature during the mid 70's  I had a 76 Kawasaki with one and had to quieten that too.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Hi Mike, welcome.

The T.S. beeper; as Barry said, there is a connector under the left side of the fuel tank, toward the front.

I used to unplug mine, and when I would inevitably forget to cancel a signal (usually in the spring), then I would plug it back in for a few weeks as a self-imposed punishment for my forgetfulness.

Then several years ago I installed aftermarket horns (LOUD!) and I used the beeper's frame tab on which to mount the relay for the horns.  
Goodbye beeper...


The sidestand is really meant to be deployed after dis-mounting, I believe.
I don't use my sidestand very often, so I don't worry about it's issues.



Due to the design of the engine, you will want to park the bike on the centerstand most of the time, definitely for extended periods.

And get used to turning off your petcock EVERY TIME.

These are manual, old cool bikes.

And there are quite a few airhead lovers that have a Concours in their garage, as well!  It has a nickname: "the best bike BMW never built".

[Lucky_Lou]

Lou

My 79 has the indicator beeper and it's shown on the euro wiring diagram.  I find it too loud -  tends to frighten pedestrians a bit so I quieten it down with some duct tape over the diaphragm.

To silence it completely there is a cable connector under the tank which could be pulled.

 It's amazing the trouble and complexity BMW went to with relays so it only works while the bike is moving and is silenced in neutral or when the clutch lever is pulled in.

Indicator beepers came in as a safety feature during the mid 70's  I had a 76 Kawasaki with one and had to quieten that too.

Strange i checked my wireing against the Haynes manual and it said the buzzer was US spec ?? hey ho i have got an empty relay port on the loom under the tank though?
Lou

[Altritter]

Another thing that kind of bothers me and makes me wonder if it's a BMW thing or if someone made a modification....the side stand.  

Not a modification, Mike, but a chronic owner complaint. IMO, if you seek a one-word answer, it's "Brown's." (Some of our members like the Surefoot. I've never seen one, so I don't have an opinion. I've heard that the Surefoot is available only from European sources — can anyone confirm or refute this?)

The Brown's sidestand for the R65 (again, it's wise to be model-specific) is available, both new from dealers and (occasionally) on eBay. New, it costs a hefty $150+ new (my last quote), but at least a buyer of a new one can be reasonably assured of having all the necessary mounting hardware for the R65.

The Brown's sidestand seems to solve the problems of most R65 riders. I have one, and I really like it. It solves problem of finding a place to ground the center stand without having to worry about the bike falling from being parked on a grade. Just remember to have a "big foot" (crushed beer can or small plywood square (3"-4" on a side) to put under the sidestand's foot when parking on hot asphalt or soft soil, to avoid an embarrassing, potentially expensive, tip-over.

Which brings up a peculiarity of boxer airheads and sidestands: If an R65 is ridden for a while and parked hot for a time (How long? WTHK!), then sometimes on restarting the left tailpipe emits an embarrassingly large cloud of blue/white oil smoke for a few seconds. The techies among us attribute this to the horizontal boxer engine design. Seems that parking on the sidestand leans the bike to the left far enough to permit a bit of oil to seep past the rings into the combustion chamber. Startup causes the oil seepage to burn inefficiently in the chamber, thus causing smoke from the left pipe.

Now we go from observation to theory: While harmless if not done too often, smoking the left cylinder pot (in the opinion of some airhead experts) can cause excessive carbon buildup over time in the left combustion chamber and on the valves. (what's "too often?" Again, WTHK!) As a cautious person, I like to use the center stand whenever possible. If I must stop and dismount for a short time, I find the sidestand to be wonderful. Also, I use it as a safety mechanism to lessen the chance of dropping the bike if I must do something risky while stopped without dismounting.