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Greetings from new member, rookie questions about my '65 R69S
- TimStevens
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2020 2:10 pm
- Location: New York
- Contact:
Greetings from new member, rookie questions about my '65 R69S
I had some questions I was hoping I could get some clarity on, if anyone would be kind enough to help.
- Has anyone seen knee fairings like this before? Seller indicated they were a factory option but they look a little DIY to me, and I've never seen them on another bike before.
- Are these chrome valve covers "right", or would that have been done later? I've only ever seen them with a matte finish.
- Is 10w30 really the right stuff for the transmission, as recommended in the owners manual? Is there a preferred concoction?
- Any ideas of availability for ME 77s in 3.5-18? I'm struggling to find any. Are the Heidenau K34 good enough?
- Is the switchgear you see here "right"? It looks quite a bit different than what's in the manual. I'm planning on putting a set of bar-end turn signals on here. Was surprised to see the switch on the right given the bike currently lacks them!
Thanks in advance, look forward to being a more active member in this group.
Re: Greetings from new member, rookie questions about my '65 R69S
Welcome, and good luck,
Icarus
Re: Greetings from new member, rookie questions about my '65 R69S
I had Metzlers on mine and I recently switched to Avon Road Riders. Like them a lot.
Your valve covers have been polished. If they have been sanded flat and polished, they probably won't go back to original with time - but close.
That directional switch does not look familiar and I'm being polite, LOL. Google "R69S handlebar controls" and you'll probably find lots of photos of handlebar stuff. My '68 has a /5 directional switch which looks ok, but I'd prefer the stock switch. Your headlight/highbeam switch on the left is the same as mine, which I believe is correct.
I switched my bench seat to a solo Denfeld. Way more comfortable (for me) and I like the look.
Benchmark is a great place to get stuff and great advice but their site is a little frustrating, IMHO. Motorrad is a good site to look up stuff visually and get part numbers.
Good luck and I hope you are located someplace that will allow you to ride this winter!
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- Posts: 81
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
Re: Greetings from new member, rookie questions about my '65 R69S
Scott
PS Bench Mark Works is in Sturgis, Miss.
- miller6997
- Posts: 1185
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
Re: Greetings from new member, rookie questions about my '65 R69S
Several observations:
The polished valve covers, chromed air filter, hubcaps and headlight ears are all after-purchase modifications.
The grips are interesting, and not familiar to me. I think they are definitely aftermarket.
The storage box with the BMW sticker on it, behind the kickstart, is not original (or it might be part of the kit that came with the authority versions of the bike). Whatever the origin, it looks at home there.
The Metzeler ME77 tires are available in Europe but not in North America--unless things have changed recently. Owners seem to be generally satisfied with the Heidenaus, and that's what I'll probably switch to the next time I need new tires.
Heinrich made aftermarket aluminum knee fairings for the /2s, and in fact I saw a set on Tim Stafford's eBay store very recently. There are also some fiberglass and carbon fiber versions for later models, but I don't know if they are available for /2s.
'67 R69S
'13 F800GT
Altadena, California
- schrader7032
- Posts: 9065
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- Location: San Antonio, TX
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Re: Greetings from new member, rookie questions about my '65 R69S
A general question for others...are the spark plug caps original? I ended up with the brown bakelite plug caps from Vech. I think it was Duane Ausherman that said these metal shroud caps were know to leak spark through the cap to the engine, especially when wet.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
- TimStevens
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Wed Oct 28, 2020 2:10 pm
- Location: New York
- Contact:
Re: Greetings from new member, rookie questions about my '65 R69S
I don't know the provenance of this exhaust either but it does sound quite nice, and the bike came with the correct exhausts as well. They're in great shape if I ever get bored with these.
A local dealer has the Heidenau tires (I'm not too far from Max BMW in Troy, NY) so I may just go with those for simplicity's sake if nothing else.
Thanks again!
- miller6997
- Posts: 1185
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
Re: Greetings from new member, rookie questions about my '65 R69S
'67 R69S
'13 F800GT
Altadena, California
Re: Greetings from new member, rookie questions about my '65 R69S
Small detail - but I don't think the foot pegs were plated originally either. Looks cool though! Kinda wish mine were now.