Looking at a 1966 BMW R60/2 W/Side Car

Sawyer911 · 10-16-2021, 10:16 AM

Next week I'm going to look at a 1966 R60/2 with Steib side car.

Original paint bike with 37k on the clock "some upgrades"

The sidecar is not in the same condition but was new with the bike.

First time looking at a BMW I owned/restored and still have vintage Harley so familiar with the old bike issues.

Anything I should ask or look at on my visit?

I so far will inquire about the oil slingers, check the 3 VIN numbers and receipts for what repairs and upgrades were performed.

Swayer

otto_kretschmer · 10-16-2021, 03:27 PM

and I thought my R50/5 was slow

otto_kretschmer · 10-16-2021, 03:40 PM

I never had a /2 and they are significantly different from the later models

I don't think they have an oil filter

they have a roller crank

balancing carbs and adjusting valves should be the same

you may get tired of the novelty of the sidecar because its going to be so slow and even dangerous to ride on roads with traffic

you will have to have one eye glued to the mirror

berettafan · 10-16-2021, 04:47 PM

Slinger in lieu of a filter.

Chocaholic · 10-17-2021, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berettafan

Slinger in lieu of a filter.

Really? Explain.

The slingers are responsible for oil distribution. It doesn’t filter or clean anything.

Sawyer911 · 10-17-2021, 06:26 AM

From what I understand the slingers act as a centrifugal catch for particles with no way to clean without a tear down. But I am new to BMW.

My current bike is a 1954 Harley KH and that is a bit on the slow side so not really a speed demon I have a 911 for that.

The side car would be new to me, never drove a bike with one.

Sawyer

jhynesrockmtn · 10-17-2021, 07:24 AM

From the bmwmotorcycletechinfo.com site

"There was no oil filter such as a paper pleated filter, as there is on the 1970+ Airheads. On the /2, the oil from the oil pump was 'filtered' by sending it into closely separated plates or plate and backing, that were part of the crankshaft assembly. One plate is called a slinger, where the harsher of the contaminants would be deposited into a hard layer along the edge of what was actually a shallow cup. The capacity of the cavities was limited. If the slingers were not cleaned at reasonable intervals (you will not think the mileage reasonable! ...30,000 miles!), the slingers could fill-up, clog the oil passageway, & some very expensive engine parts would be ruined"

berettafan · 10-17-2021, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

Really? Explain.

The slingers are responsible for oil distribution. It doesn’t filter or clean anything.

The outer rim is a crevice that catches gunk.

Chocaholic · 10-17-2021, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by berettafan

The outer rim is a crevice that catches gunk.

Ha! I think we’re both right. Bottom line...oil changes are easy on that bike. Do them often!

Chocaholic · 10-17-2021, 01:57 PM

Not sure where you’re located but guessing this is the bike.

https://asheville.craigslist.org/mcy/d/sapphire-bmw-r60/7389790458.html

Wife and I were in Black Mountain, NC last weekend. Asheville is 10 minutes down the road. Had I known, would have been easy to stop and have a look. I scratched my sidecar itch with a Ural a couple of years ago. Definitely a different riding experience. If you have kids/dogs that will be your hack monkey (yup) it could be good fun. That bike won’t lose value so you don’t have much to lose.

So I vote “yes”. Should be good fun along with plenty of weekend/evening tinkering. Keep us posted.

Rot 911 · 10-17-2021, 02:27 PM

I have a 1965 R60/2. So I do have a little experience with them. He is asking top dollar for that bike and sidecar. With that in mind, I would want to see some receipts for the maintenance that has been done over the years and proof that it really has the mileage he states. It would be nice if he had some proof that the slingers had been cleaned out sometime over the years, but that would not be a dealbreaker for me.

All /2s havethe mounts for a Sidecar. But if it was originally set up to run with a Sidecar, it will have different gearing. It will also have the front shocks set up in the correct hole on the Earls fork.

Sawyer911 · 10-17-2021, 08:15 PM

Yes Chocaholic that is the bike. The wife saw it on Cycle Trader and ask me if it is what I had described for my next bike.

There has been regular maintenance done on the bike with years of receipts.

Without going into all the details the engine was serviced with new pistons, rods and slingers cleaned, tranny, kicker, carbs serviced plus more.....

About a year ago converted to 12 volts and electronic ignition.

Is a bit rougher in real life but shows genuine use.

Started from cold with one kick. Power, shifting and handling no issues

Couldn't pass it up it hit all the marks for me. Also original tool roll, owners manual and a newer repop of the original 4 language repair manual and one in English only.

New adventure!!

Sawyer

varmint · 10-17-2021, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

From the bmwmotorcycletechinfo.com site

"There was no oil filter such as a paper pleated filter, as there is on the 1970+ Airheads. On the /2, the oil from the oil pump was 'filtered' by sending it into closely separated plates or plate and backing, that were part of the crankshaft assembly. One plate is called a slinger, where the harsher of the contaminants would be deposited into a hard layer along the edge of what was actually a shallow cup. The capacity of the cavities was limited. If the slingers were not cleaned at reasonable intervals (you will not think the mileage reasonable! ...30,000 miles!) , the slingers could fill-up, clog the oil passageway, & some very expensive engine parts would be ruined"

Or if the bike has just been sitting too long.

Chocaholic · 10-18-2021, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawyer911

Yes Chocaholic that is the bike. The wife saw it on Cycle Trader and ask me if it is what I had described for my next bike.

There has been regular maintenance done on the bike with years of receipts.

Without going into all the details the engine was serviced with new pistons, rods and slingers cleaned, tranny, kicker, carbs serviced plus more.....

About a year ago converted to 12 volts and electronic ignition.

Is a bit rougher in real life but shows genuine use.

Started from cold with one kick. Power, shifting and handling no issues

Couldn't pass it up it hit all the marks for me. Also original tool roll, owners manual and a newer repop of the original 4 language repair manual and one in English only.

New adventure!!

Sawyer

You have a good wife. Perusing cycle trader for vintage bikes is a sure sign that you married well!

Reading a bit between the words...so, did you go see it? Are you the new owner? If so...pics! There’s an R50/2 for sale in Atlanta that looks interesting...but way over priced. I owned a 1954 R25 a few years ago. Fun little adventure but that bike was purely a novelty as it wasn’t really capable of modern roads or speeds much above 50.

berettafan · 10-18-2021, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocaholic

You have a good wife. Perusing cycle trader for vintage bikes is a sure sign that you married well!

Reading a bit between the words...so, did you go see it? Are you the new owner? If so...pics! There’s an R50/2 for sale in Atlanta that looks interesting...but way over priced. I owned a 1954 R25 a few years ago. Fun little adventure but that bike was purely a novelty as it wasn’t really capable of modern roads or speeds much above 50.

don't know if we've talked about this but i had a '54 R25/3 as well. The guy that bought it from me RODE it back from OC Md to Annapolis Md which is about 3 hours on that bike and includes going over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge! And he did it in the rain!

MRM · 03:48 PM

I told my wife about this thread and she was enthusiastic about you getting it, so we’re both glad you did. She coined the term “ice cream car,” meaning a car who’s purpose is to take it out on gentle runs, preferably to and from the local ice cream stand. This will be the perfect ice cream cycle. Let me know if you ever need a copilot in the sidecar when you make an ice cream run. I’ve always wanted to ride in a sidecar.

I don’t know if you’re a Doonsebury fan, but this is the bike/sidecar combination that Mike Doonsebury and Mark cobbled together for their summer ride across America. They ended up picking up Joanie on the road somewhere and somehow fit her into the sidecar and brought her back to Walden. It’s worth getting just for the Doonsebury connection

Here’s a link to the original series. https://www.gocomics.com/doonesbury/1972/07/27

Sawyer911 · 06:55 AM

I did get the bike home titled and riden. Bit of a learning curve. I need a bit of ballast before I start putting around with the wife. Got to pay attention to the far right side.

I used to run a 1955 Harley 3 wheeler so the steering concept isn't too alien to me. My other bike under resto now is a 1954 HD KH I've had this one about 25 years and needed a refresh. So I'm used to slow bikes

The bike is original paint and very nice with lots of receipts. Also the original drivers manual, tool roll and shop manual. The sidecar needs resto but that can wait. The S/C is not original to the bike appears a bit older and way different patina. The bike is set up for it but need to verify the gearing.

Good wife for sure. The 79SC was hers, she always wanted one, found it bought it and drove it. It was hers. When she wanted more comfort and open top she bought a MB SLK350 and handed the Porsche down to me.

She searched far and wide for the SLK as she needed it in blue with a three pedal 6 speed tranny. The same as her blue Dodge Ram with a 5 speed on the floor.

Sawyer

Sawyer911 · 10-23-2021, 06:54 AM

Oh and a pic .....

Sawyer

MRM · 10-23-2021, 09:09 AM

That is so cool. I’m glad you got it.

Tishabet · 10-23-2021, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sawyer911

I did get the bike home titled and riden. Bit of a learning curve. I need a bit of ballast before I start putting around with the wife. Got to pay attention to the far right side.

I have a decent amount of time riding a sidecar rig (and have professional training and the WA license accreditation as well) and they are definitely not going to handle or have similar dynamics to a motorcycle. Forget what you know about countersteering, tail breaking, etc. Take it very very easy and give yourself a lot of time in a closed course/parking lot until you are comfortable scrubbing the brakes to assist your turns, taking emergency evasive steps where you must turn right, emergency braking with weight in the car (the car will try to pass you so you must steer into it), etc etc.

There are some really good books on sidecar/sidehack riding, worth the investment. They are super fun (and my kids loves when I fly the car) but you need to train yourself to go into "sidecar mode" so you don't fall back on your 2 wheel training. Good luck and be safe!