Back to the old nest: a BMW R51 / 3

Auto Motor Klassiek » Engines » Back to the old nest: a BMW R51 / 3
Purchasing classics there

In the beginning

The roots of the BMW R51 go back to 1938. And after the war, the thread was picked up again. In the early 24s, the economy was already much better and there was a growing need for simply practical motorcycles. BMW therefore increasingly profiled itself as a manufacturer of 'sidecar tractors. Because sidecar combinations were the alternative to the then 'unaffordable' cars. The R 51 had already received sidecar clutches, and so did the R 2/51. For sidecar use, a special 'short' gear ratio in the final drive was available. Engine not much had changed compared to the first R 51s, and the chassis, which was new when the R XNUMX was released, remained unchanged. For example, the frame was welded from drawn oval pipe, there was a telescopic fork and drum brakes on board.

The R 51 / 3 followed the R 1951 / 51 in 2

The newcomer still had the beautiful, expensive and torsionally rigid tubular frame drawn from welded oval pipe with plunger suspension, half-hub drum brakes and a telescopic fork. The frame had 'ab Werk' ball couplings for sidecar mounting and so a special gear ratio in the final drive was also available to achieve sufficient traction in tricycles. Engine, gearbox and final gear case were cast aluminum. The engine had two thru-axles in the frame, the DC dynamo had its place on the front of the crankshaft. Everything was thought out. Everything was beautifully made. Everything was good. Humanity also expected that from a BMW.

Reliability and reliability were still more important at BMW than top performance

The rubber vibration damper in the cardan shaft was given a chrome ring to keep it running at top speed. Instead of the steel half-hub drum brakes, full-hub aluminum ones were now used, which considerably improved the braking effect. Along with the BMW R51 / 3, an 600cc version, the R 67 / 2, was launched. The R 51 / 3 was succeeded in 1955 by the R 50.

His father's engine

How a BMW can be drawn through life can be clearly seen in the BMW R51 / 3 that we saw at Theo Terwel in Vorden. After a lot of wanderings, that loyal boxer returned to the family where he once started his life. And the happy owner has entrusted the BMW to Theo to make it completely 'Original' again. That will be a job. Even despite the fact that BMW rewards the loyalty of its customers by also supplying parts for very old BMWs. Under that customer-friendliness, there are a few snags in the grass.

Expensive parts

For example, a BMW R51 / 3 front mudguard in the primer, delivered new via BMW, costs a proud € 450. And the production quality is certainly not up to the standards that have given BMW its reputation. The shape of the mudguard also lacks the elegance of the Genuine Original. It is reasonable to assume that this part was manufactured in an ex-Eastern bloc country. That Real Original is completely rusted on top, but the consideration now is to weld it and eventually assemble it again.

We are curious about the result.

And that's how he should be

 

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