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1959 BMW R-Series
1959 BMW R-Series
Jun 13, 2024
Description

  Here is one of approximately 2,900 BMW R69 motorbikes built between 1956 and 1960 and it appears here in original paint!  But looks are deceiving as this one has had a total mechanical restoration from the front brake to the rear several years back.  This 1959 BMW R69 is finished in black with white pinstriping and underwent a mechanical refurbishment in 2013/14, which included overhauling the over-bored 594cc opposed twin, four-speed transmission, and final drive at Bench Mark Works of Sturgis, Mississippi. Features include an enclosed driveshaft, an Earles leading-link fork, a friction-plate steering damper, a Denfeld solo saddle, Albert mirrors, Hella bar-end turn signals, a luggage rack, a kick starter, and a chrome dual exhaust system with a crossover pipe and torpedo-style mufflers. The bike was produced on March 16, 1959, and delivered to BMW US distributor Butler & Smith of New York City in May of that year. It was sold new in Chicago and spent time in Missouri before it was acquired in 2021. Subsequent maintenance includes changing the oil, checking valve clearances, installing LED bulbs, and replacing the spark plugs, fuel filters, and battery. This R69 is offered with a tool kit, a tank bag, an uninstalled two-up seat, a period license plate, refurbishment records totaling over $10,000, and an Iowa title in my name.The bike is finished in Avus black with white pinstriping, and it features a locking storage compartment located behind the left rubber knee grip as well as a replacement Denfeld molded rubber solo saddle supported by a T-bar and a silent block rubber spring. Additional equipment includes a replacement body-color luggage rack, a hinged rear fender, a frame-mounted tire pump, fixed passenger foot pegs, and both center and side stands. The bike has been fitted with LED bulbs throughout. The paint is original and does have scratches and dings in the finish as well as a bit of corrosion under the battery tray.Chrome 18″ wire-spoke wheels were fitted with replacement bearings and mounted with Metzeler Block C tires at Engle Motors of Kansas City, Missouri, in summer 2014 and are still fresh looking. Suspension consists of an Earles leading-link fork and a rear swingarm, with replacement hydraulic shocks and shock bushings at both ends. Braking is handled by a refurbished duplex drum up front and a simplex drum at the rear.The adjustment knob for a friction-plate steering damper in the steering stem is situated between pullback risers, which clamp a replacement low-rise handlebar equipped with Magura grips and Hella bar-end turn signals. The headlight nacelle is fitted with Albert mirrors and is topped by a rebuilt 120-mph VDO speedometer with a five-digit odometer showing 64k miles, approximately 500 of which were ridden under current ownership. True mileage is unknown but is suspected to be correct with approximately 2,000 miles since the restoration. The horn works but the button is inoperative.The 594cc opposed twin was overhauled at Bench Mark Works with a rebuilt crankshaft and cylinders that were bored 0.5mm over and fitted with Kolbenschmidt pistons at Bore Tech of Batavia, OH. The cylinder heads were refurbished with three-angle valve seats and oversized valves at Cycle Works of Goshen, Indiana, and the dual 26mm Bing carburetors were rebuilt at Bing Agency International of Council Grove, Kansas. Maintenance carried out in 2023 included changing the oil, checking the valve clearances, installing a six-volt gel battery, and replacing the spark plugs and fuel filters.Power is sent to the rear wheel through a dry single-plate clutch, a four-speed transmission, and a driveshaft enclosed within the right leg of the swingarm. The transmission and the final drive assembly were rebuilt as part of the refurbishment and a 25/8 gear–ratio stamping is visible on the final drive housing.The bike comes with a tool roll, a tank bag, a narrow-style Schorsch Meier two-up seat, and a 1959 Chicago demonstrator vehicle license plate.

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