Description
Here is a particularly outstanding pre-1970 offering from Bob’s. We don’t often see vintage machines that are this cosmetically spectacular and, at the same time, so well sorted out mechanically (unless we’ve spent a lot of our own time and money improving one or both categories). Bob went some distance to pick up this bike himself, and made a Road Trip out of it, visiting friends and several fellow BMW dealers over seven days on the road. And though he proclaimed when he returned that if he didn’t already own a few stunning, original US fork models he would have wanted to keep this one himself, it was a pleasure for him to bring it home to be offered to some lucky member of our extended BMW family — or perhaps to someone about to become a member for the first time!
This one has triple matching serial numbers as is desired – that means the frame, engine and ID plate stampings are all original and all match. The previous owner was highly detail oriented and had owned many other motorcycles which he’d invested in to make more perfect than when first acquired. But until this one, he had never owned a BMW. For his first Beemer, he certainly managed to hunt down an exceptionally fine machine! Then he set about bringing out all the luster in the original factory paint, castings, fittings, wheels and more, while others did the mechanical freshening. He also, as would we, replaced a few items that were showing more signs of age and normal use than could be freshened up, and we’ll cover that later; each decision added value.
He had a look in mind when he first set out on his hunt, one that just happens to match what Bob also thinks is that perfect balance of clean, functional, and able to highlight BMW’s original concept of how a solo machine (you can easily add a passenger seat) should present itself as. US style handlebars, Hella bar-end turn-signals, standard 18 liter BMW fuel tank, Albert headlight-mounted mirrors, original Weinmann alloy wheels (chrome steel was an option at this time), Denfeld solo seat, rear fender luggage/seat mounting rack, factory sidestand, and the Denfeld headlight guard loop. This one also received a frequently selected upgrade of stainless steel hubcaps which add just a touch of brilliance while preventing the common problem of damaged paint on stock hubcaps from road debris.
This beautiful example of BMW’s end-of-the-run R60/2 with the US fork upgrade option (Earles Forks were still available) is lacking for nothing mechanically either. Being a perfectionist, the prior owner set about having the bike freshened up on a very high level, even though Bob and countless other collectors would not have done most of this work on a bike with such low original mileage and in such good condition. But the work that was completed including the addition of a new, correct-looking stainless steel exhaust system, new handlebars and a few other items tallied up to nearly $10,000. Again, all on a bike Bob may have had our professional detailer do his magic on and not spend a penny more.
There is an extensive list of additions which you are invited to view when you visit to inspect this motorcycle yourself (and more was actually done than appears on the list). Despite the previous owner’s ambitious undertaking, however, the team at Bob’s created another short To-Do list of ways to make it yet more perfect. Bob is rather picky when we have a bike this nice to offer, and he can almost always find a few items to upgrade, make more correct, etc. A future owner (or just someone browsing our listings) who has a very sharp eye might notice where further improvements to this already remarkably well-restored machine could be made. Let’s compare lists!
Perhaps this does not need saying based on all we’ve shared already, but the bike starts easily, idles smoothly and wonderfully, shifts through the gears about as smoothly as it did when first built, rolls down the road effortlessly and stops quickly, especially considering the dual drum brake technology attached to machines of this era. All the switches, lighting, and horn work as they are expected to. Bob has already taken this bike out for a good ride at speeds between 5 mph and an indicated 70 mph and thoroughly enjoyed the experience; before it’s delivered to a new owner it will have gotten at least one more extended test ride by one of our Master BMW Techs with plenty of expertise and experience with classic & vintage Airheads.
Upon a very close inspection, one will find all the hardware to be in near-new condition, rubber parts are all fresh, new control cables, switches looking nearly new, a speedo unit that is bright and clear and fully functional, very fresh tires (late 2018 and 2019) with 95% (or more) of their tread remaining and sidewalls in like-new condition, a stunningly perfect original gas cap on a fuel tank whose original interior coating still looks new. One would be very hard pressed to find anything on this machine to suggest it’s not exactly as one would desire, visually or otherwise.
The bike is supplied with an original BMW owner’s manual for the US fork models, a BMW black knob key and BMW flat spare ignition key, two keys (one BMW and one copy) to the fork and tool compartment (different cuts) on the left side of the gas tank, a third tool box key hidden on the bike (we’ll show the new owner), an extra fork lock key inside the tool box (we think this is smart) plus a factory tool kit and pouch that is very clean and complete except for the feeler gauge and Allen wrenches. If you want to own this magnificent motorcycle, DON’T WAIT. Call 1-888-269-2627 to speak with one of our BMW Certified Sales Advisors —Jim, or Todd. Call TODAY!