Before Honda invented new motorcycling, there was only one heavy, fast, reliable motorcycle: the 594 cc BMW R69S.
The BMW 'Vollschwingen' models with their characteristic Earless rocking arm front fork were definitive quality products. Globally, the expensive BMWs were not seebought. They became gebought.
Look for the differences
The R69S is recognizable by the slightly wider valve covers with only two longitudinal ribs. Another feature is that the exhaust bends run from the heads 'inwards' instead of rather directly backwards. The detailed exhaust bend line provided just a little more ground clearance in the bends. The exhaust pipes of an R69S are also a fraction thicker than those of the R50 and R60.
Driving a BMW R69S
What strikes you first: the topper of the time is a slender, low motorcycle. The BMW starts 'across'. After shocking the Bing carburettors, the engine starts after the second stage with its characteristic 'hollow' growl. The choke can quickly come off. The flat - almost - 600 cc twin is content to shake in the frame. Switching of the left-hand gearbox is done with a clear 'Klak'. The rear of the machine will lift slightly when the clutch is released.
The cardan shaft is, by the way, drawn so 'slender' that it actually worked as a torsion bar and made the rigid transmission smoother with it. The four-speed gearbox works well when the rider is not in a hurry. Before the clutch is operated, some pressure is applied to the shift pedal and then slowly shifted up.
The BMW R69S is a fast, but not nervous machine
But the R69S would like to be driven a little higher. That also makes it less suitable as a sidecar tractor. Even when cornering, the BMW is not very temperamental. He would like to be sent in emphatically, but the stable bicycle part allows him to follow the chosen lines.
The double cradle frame with side oval-drawn front legs is a model of Teutonic engineering. To the beautiful aluminum 2.15 B x 18 rims belong 3.50 x 18 tires. The full hub drum brakes are Ø 200 mm (the front brake has two ascending shoes). The tank capacity is 17, optional 24 liters and with a full 17 liter tank the machine weighs 195 kilos. The fuel consumption of an R69S was on average 1 on 18,5.
The technique
Two-cylinder four-stroke boxer, a central, overhead camshaft, pushrods and rocker arms, two valves per cylinder, bore x stroke 72 x 73 mm, cylinder capacity 594 cc, compression 9,5: 1, carburetion Bing 1/26/91, Bing 1 / 26/92. 42 hp at 7.000 rpm. The 6V electrical installation is powered by a Noris magnet. Conversion to 12 V is accepted and was also done ex works for government engines, certainly in the last construction phase. Ex works an oil consumption of 0,5 / 1 liter per 1.000 km was allowed.
The trustworthiness
Reliability is legendary. Only crankshaft damage often occurred in the earliest examples. The maintenance intervals are now very dated. The only concern is the sludge stage in the crankshaft. If it is not cleaned every 30D km, accumulated dirt can destroy the crankshaft. The brake drums may be cracked. The optimal cooling of the boxer twin creates a strange side effect.
The mufflers become less hot than with 'normal' motorcycles. That is why, by definition, condensed water saturated with acidic residues is not fired from it. This can cause the dampers to rot. Stainless steel reference is for sale. But they don't sound as good as the original ones.
The key friendliness
Of course, working on a BMW R69S deserves all the respect and attention that the brand is worth. But from an objective point of view, such a BMW is a dream to work on. Everything is easily accessible and of high quality.
The parts supply
BMW cherishes its history. The component supply 'ex factory' is good. In addition, specialists such as De Hobbyist and De Knalpot also supply many high-quality replacement parts.
The price of originality
BMW drivers have an above-average appetite for originality. The R69S involves various bolts with a correct color and impact on the head. They are rare. And expensive. The 24-lter tanks that were produced as an option by Heinrich and Hoske do fit within the originality spectrum. The (Hella) ´ossenogen´ flashing lights in the handlebar ends were also at extra cost. Oh yes: the tire pump must be in the color of the engine and the rubber of the timing plug must be white. In the meantime, R69Ssen are so popular that they will be added again. So watch out for 'fake' ones (not to be confused with Dneprs)
The colours
The twins not only in 'Avus schwartz), but also in ivory white (Dover weiss) for sale. For the USA market, the BMWs with the fork that would later end up in the / 5 series were also delivered in the Granada red and Dominican blue. Bristol Gray, Rivièra blue and Turf Green were also possible. The color indication in English indicates that these colors were optional in the US. For the Americans, the frames and forks were also supplied in festive colors. In Europe, the color options were only for the tank.
The suspension and damping
Before its time, the BMW R69S was an extremely comfortable machine. The spring preload at the rear was manually adjustable. The wheelbase was adjustable at the front fork for sidecar use. The front fork had a hydraulic steering damper whose operation with its numerous eccentric pivot points might have been brilliant.
The Earless rocking arm front fork had an 'anti-diving' function from a structural engineering point of view and made steering relatively heavy. In 1968 and 1969, the BMW is the USA supplied with a telescope fork, the same fork that was developed in off road competitions and that would later be used in the / 5 series.
The saddles
They should be from Denfeld or Pagusa. The Denfeld and Georg Meijer buddy seats were very popular, mainly because they made the looks of the BMW much more modern. But the comfort of the gliding saddles is greater.
The rushes
On a BMW R69S the piping must be pulled out of hand. Drawn piping must also meet requirements. The top line should be approximately (because it is all handcrafted ') 6 mm. The space between the piping is such an 3 mm. The narrow line below is 2 mm thick. A recognizable starting point of the brush yields bonus points.
The production:
There are 11417 pieces made in almost 10 years
The competition
In fact, the BMW R69S had no competition.
Prices
27.500 euros has already been requested and paid for masterpieces. And if that's a lot? Well: BMW's newest topper also costs about as much with a handful of options. "But" Theo Terwel shines: "You have to write off that."
The club:
The BMW boxerclub.nl
This BMW R69S
Was 'as found' lovingly adopted by BMW passionado Theo Terwel, a BMW enthusiast with fun lights in his eyes. Restoring European classic motorcycles is his craft. But Theo finds this item so real that there is no hair on his head that is thinking of returning it to its new condition. Technically, the BMW is completely lovingly made completely fresh by the third generation Harry Meijer from Lijnden. The R69S has already proven itself twice by running to the classic races at Man.
Overhead camshaft?
VERY NAYS BIKE .IM FROM TURKIYE I HAVE BME COLLECTİON.
Earles front forks are developed by Ernie Earles. The fork principle named after him is written with 1s.