I really
like the classic design of the Boxer engine.
This bike
is known as the “Vollschwingen-Fahrwerk” model.
Because of
the use of 2 swing arms (front and rear) and this series of motorcycles was
made from 1955-1969
The series
consisted of the following models:
R50, R50/2,
R60, R60/2, R69, R50S and the R69S
The 50 and
60 models had low compression engines and the S models had High compression
engines what made them a little more un-reliable.
That is why
my choice fell on the R60/2
A Motorcycle
that has more torque and horsepower than the R50 models but is very reliable.
I was lucky
to buy this motorcycle from Gerrit how is a very enthusiastic motorcyclist with
a beautiful website.
He bought
this motorcycle in 2010
Though BMW
invented and first used oil-damped telescopic motorcycle front forks in the
1930s, it chose to use Earles forks on these models. The triangular front
Earles fork (named after its designer, Englishman Ernest Earles) precluded any
front-end dive during heavy front braking, which is common with telescopic
front forks. It also worked well in sidecar duty. (Vollschwingen-Fahrwerk) Though
heavy and ponderous in turning, the Earles fork gave the old Beemer a steady
and reassuring ride.
Really nice…this
bike still haves the original tool kit and air pump.
I didn’t quit
like the air filter being black and the “white” lead battery.
I painted
the air filter aluminium and replaced the battery with a maintenance free Gel Battery
At some
point this BMW probably had a sidecar
It has a
wide rear wheel rim 2.75Cx18 instead of the 2.15x18
The
Speedometer has a “wegdrehzahl” from 1.44
This goes
with a bevel gear ratio of 27/7
This bike
now has a bevel gear ratio of 25/8 which is for a solo machine so this doesn’t work
properly with the speedometer.
Instead of
the 1.44 (Miles) or 0.9 (KM) it should be 1.2 (miles) or 0.75 (KM)
Also see: Wegdrehzahl BMW R50-R69S
A couple of
years ago BMW Classic remanufactured some parts that where hard to come by.
There are
still some of these parts available. Historic Parts Catalogue.pdf
So I bought
a correct speedometer for my bike and since I live in the Netherlands one with
a scale in Kilometres.
Now after
some 500 miles the bike has a couple of small issues that we are going to fix
this winter.
-
One
rear shock absorber is leaking
-
Little
oil leak between the engine and the gearbox
-
Rubber
of the drive shaft is old and has cracks
- What about these oil slingers???
What we did this winter (2016/2017)
- What about these oil slingers???
What we did this winter (2016/2017)
BMW R50-69S LED Lighting
For now I have got a perfect and very reliable running bike.
For now I have got a perfect and very reliable running bike.
Just some
cosmetic work to be done.
Paintwork
and the wheels need some work.
Perhaps
next winter, I really like the “patina” look.
“Underneath”
this bike is completely new.
What we did
this winter (2016/2017)
New Rims
and spokes.
Paintwork
fenders and 2 x Fuel tank:
1 Original
Tank
1 Schorsch
Meier Tank
