R65 GS

[Vincent]

Hi everyone,

I will soon be getting a 1991 R65 GS, my first bike!
I've searched on internet and couldn't find much information about it; only that it is exactly like the R80 GS except for the chrome exhaust, the GS mirror, the battery (12v/20Ah vs: 12v/16Ah) and the weight : 198 kg.
Is that right?
Would anybody out there have more information about it?(where to find parts, maintenace manual...)
It's an ex french army bike and I will need a MPH speedo, a new tank, rack and panniers. Would R80 GS parts fit on it?
Many thanks
Vince

 

[Rob Farmer]

Hi Vincent,

The R65G/s is indeed a rare bike. Jez on this site had one and Bill H also has one (posts 2 and 65on the Monolever register). As far as I know apart from the engine and maybe the downpipes and the parts you mention everything else is identical.

All the microfiches and part numbers are here Linky - If you put your vin number in the search it will show your bikes year and month. I have no problem getting parts for my 87 Mono so you should be ok as well.

 

[Two wheels good]

this should interest you..

http://micapeak.com/bmw/gs/

http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/bmwmodels.htm

Parts available from Moto-bins and MotorWorks - a web search will find them

David

 

[nick.ct]

welcome

Vincent, hi

Welcome to the forum. As has been said, a rare bike indeed. I have not bothered to change the speedo on mine, spent the money on petrol instead. I would be interested to know which engine option you have, I think the military ones were detuned to 27BHP from a max of 50 (a la R65 LS). Obviously narrower overall than the R80G/S. Most parts available off the shelf if you need anything and no shortage of wisdom on this forum if you get stuck.

Look foward to seeing a piccy when you have it

Regards

Nick

 

[GS Weissbeer]

Hi Vincent,

As Nick states there are two versions. Personally I would be bored with the 27 hp version and AFAIK it's not that simple to upgrade it to 50 hp.

The danish army had the 27 hp version and the danish civil defense had the 50 hp versions. 2 of the 50 hp's are actually being auctioned soon with only 10.000 km on the clock (See pics below)

I am seriously considering to place a bid. If I get one of them it will probably be used for supplying parts to my R100G/S

Dan

 

[Colt]

hi vincent
welcome,get to be a subscriber and you can get messages and from other users.
and put wanted ads for your parts

 

[Vincent]

Thanks

Thanks for the warm welcome, the links and info...
Yes, seems that everything will become clearer with the tossers' community on my side. I will subscribe very soon. I've contacted BMW to try and find out about the hp...
Here is the only pic I have of the bike.

I'm buying it from a guy in Holland who sells military goods. Produced for the french market in July 1991 with 13000kms on the speedo...
As it was used on french military based for training, it has no regitration, plate or papers.

Thanks to you all again
Info and tips always welcome
Cheers
Vince

 

[Bill-H]

The differences between the 27hp and the 48hp models seems to be 26mm carbs instead of 32mm, lower compression and the final drive is a different ration.
The vast majority of parts are still available new through BMW - how do I know?, I've just had to order £780 worth of bits after 32 ton truck rolled my R65GS down the road (boo hoo).
Had to order a new speedo, and they only have KPH ones listed for the bike as it was never imported to the UK. My original one is marked W792, is there a MPH one to suit?

 

[Vincent]

Hi Bill,
Thanks
I just got the R65 GS yesterday. Needs a bit of work but looks pretty healthy. What a great looking bike! I haven't found a MPH speedo yet...What I need right now is a new exhaust (rear section) and new tyres... Any tips? I 'll have a look on BMW site...
Sorry to hear about your near loss... Bloody trucks!
Vincent

 

[Rob Farmer]

The original tyres for your bike were Metzler Enduro 1 and Enduro 2. These are still available and are still a good combination for the bike. Pretty cheap as well I paid £90 for a pair from Sherlocks through Ebay.

 

[Decster]

I just got the R65 GS yesterday.

 

[Steptoe]

Some later R65 engines had the R80 bottom ends, with very short barrels to make them 650cc. These are very desirable if you can find one ( i had a 13K mile engine, which i sold ).

I was told these were the basis of the 900cc factory paris daker racing engines = Short barrels and rods used with the 1000cc pistons on a r80/100 bottom end.

 

[Baffo]

i've made a comparison here:
http://www.westerbaen.tweakdsl.nl/R65GS/specs.html
rest of the pictures and the work I've done here:
http://www.westerbaen.tweakdsl.nl/R65GS/R65GS.html

Finding parts/partnumbers here (or find ETK somewhere):
http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/fiche/fiche.asp
and here:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/select.do

More info on siebenrock rebuild (in Dutch) here:
http://www.rallyteambdm.nl/verslagen/r65gs.htm some pics here:
http://www.rallyteambdm.nl/2004/verslagen/r65gs-page1.htm result here:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=554939&postcount=1

If you need more info/help, mail me:
r65gs at westerbaen . tweakdsl . nl

 

[(RIP) Proff]

The original tyres for your bike were Metzler Enduro 1 and Enduro 2. These are still available and are still a good combination for the bike. Pretty cheap as well I paid £90 for a pair from Sherlocks through Ebay.

Sherlock has one set left as of today

The Metzler Enduro 1 [front] and 2 [rear] were designed and made specifically for the g/s bike in 1980 and IMHO is STILL the best tyre combination you can put on them thats why they are still available...
OK for road speeds up to the ton and OK for green laning and gentle off roading, even 2 up

 

[Vincent]

Thanks again

Thanks everybody,
I think I will go for the Motorworks Sito exhaust. Couldn't find the Metzler tyres on Ebay but I know what I need now... The bike hasn't been used for 10 years so I really need to go through everything... Only worked a bit on vespas before... Should be fun, I'll be in touch for sure. Will also post some pics soon.
Cheers
Keep the tips and wisdom coming
Vincent

 

[Colt]

so you dont like the keihan? will last a bit longer than the sito maybe