Description
This is a very sweet classic BMW in truly excellent cosmetic and mechanical condition. It is also a slightly older restoration. The R69S with Earles Forks is one of BMW’s all time finest and highly sought after vintage machines; this example is from the very last year of production worldwide. Bob’s BMW has a fair level of history with this machine as we acquired it for the first time almost 11 years ago, did a full freshening to ensure it was up to our high standards and then promptly sold it to its next owner/caretaker. And based on our prior history and multiple signed odometer statements we believe that the 43,000 miles currently showing is accurate, but must also share that after 50 plus years this is impossible to know with 100% certainty.
It remained in that owner’s collection for about ten and a half years before we were given the opportunity to purchase it back and find it a new home again. And despite how fine this bike did and still runs, less than 200 miles were added in that ten plus year time frame. Not everyone rides them; some people simply love to own, care for, and share them as art, investments, toys, or some other desire or qualifier for temporary ownership. He did add a few extras that it did not originally leave Bob’s BMW with the last time; those extras have only enhanced the desirability and value of this BMW classic, vintage, sport bike from over 50 years earlier.
Some of what you can see in the provided images show newer alloy rims with stainless steel spokes and nipples, a full stainless steel exhaust system that is fully accurate to the original BMW factory design and appearance – but won’t ever rust, a fairly new folding Denfeld rear luggage rack, a brand new and rare Denfeld dual bench seat, rear crash guards that match the original design and style of the front cylinder/crash guard loop.
There is also a period correct chrome loop style headlight guard and a set of Albert headlight mounted left and right mirrors. As was the case with many R69S’s in the era the airbox has been chromed for a bit of style – these were available from the US importers as both an option on new machines, and to purchase as an accessory later. This bike also has a now NLA, Flanders sidestand – there are far superior to the shorter and weaker original BMW ones. The carb tops were updated during the prior restoration work and all rubber parts from the new Magura grips to the foot pegs are either in great condition and very fresh or were replaced previously.
The handlebars are a set/style/bend once offered by Flanders (west coast) and Butler and Smith (east coast), the US representatives for BMW motorcycles in the USA from about 1952 through roughly 1980. These have an exceptionally great ergonomic fit for everyone here on the Bob’s team who has sat on this machine and the master BMW technician who did the full once over before bringing it to the sales floor found them to be much more comfortable than the standard BMW USA bar with cross bar or the lower European bars. Test them out in person and see what you think.
The Metzeler ME77 tires date to 2010 and 2012 but have solidly 99 point something of their original tread remaining. The sidewalls are in superb condition, and we believe these tires are safe to use and wear out if the new owner gives them a few extra miles or minutes to warm up; they do still feel sticky but not as sticky as a new set might. The headlight reflector, bulb and lens installed currently is of the H4 variety offering extra illumination after dark; there is no parking lamp installed at this time.
We have ridden the bike several times, adding 18 miles since it arrived and in performing some light maintenance we’ve added a fresh sealed battery in a correct looking black case, adjusted the clutch free play, installed new Magura grips which are the correct style and brand for this machine, and in general given it a once over. All fluids are fresh and clean, and the levels have been checked. Most of the hardware is of very good quality original materials and mixed in with some stainless-steel replacements – again items that will not fail further down the road and a very common upgrade on many of totals full restorations even though none left the factory with such expensive upgrades.
The speedometer works smoothly and appears accurate and the trip odometer resets easily and works well. It has a replacement, upgraded points plate conversion installed that makes finding high quality points a non-issue. The inside of the larger BMW Schorsch Meier 24 liter (roughly 6.3 gallon) sport gas tank still has the original interior lining or red coating and is spotless, the original style gas cap and control switches are also in excellent condition. Valve covers, like all castings are in truly beautiful condition with the right appearance surface finish. Rear shock adjustors are clean and intact and most all cables, fuel lines, plug wires and caps are work well and show perfectly.
All-in-all this bike shows very well from every angle, at twenty feet, and right on top of every painted or cast component, chromed accessory or stock items like the handlebar risers, air tubes, headlight trim ring and ignition switch cover as well as the correctly polished aluminum surfaces on the front and rear shocks and beautiful replacement high shouldered rims. The fresh, correct dual seat will make some other owners with tired examples swoon with lust.
While not shown in these images there is a fresh replacement/reproduction owner’s manual that is included with the transaction plus the service manual which you can see is an original copy of the very useful Clymer book. The tool kit that is shown and supplied with this bike is nearly all original and correct for this era machine, even the bicycle style tire repair kit was what BMW was providing. What’s missing in the image are the two smallest Allen wrenches and we have these on order from Germany to be included.
We are also including a new reproduction cloth rag like the ones BMW originally supplied with these bikes when new and a correct square cut, rounded head key for the toolbox compartment on the gas tank. We proudly offer this one up for your consideration knowing we have priced it very realistically based on dozens of comparable R69S models that have recently sold. Qualified potential next owners are encouraged to come and inspect it closely in person and even take it out for a TEST RIDE!
