BMW R69S Finally Running

[Walter_Middie]

Well, it’s been a couple years since I bought the 1969 BMW R69S, and I never thought it would take so long just to go for a ride on this thing. But yesterday, I went for my first ride. Not very far – a couple of miles at the most, but it ran pretty well, and everything worked great.

My plan was to just get the bike cleaned up, put back together, and see how it rode before working on the cosmetics. This winter will be a good time to get the body work done and painted.

What took me 2 years? Good question. The bike came with a sidecar and had been sitting in someone’s front yard under a tarp for several years. The bike and sidecar were supposedly in an off road excursion and went through a ditch.

I replaced the bent sidecar wheel and put new SS spokes on all 3 wheels. My last post here was looking for help with the wheels.
BMW R69S motorcycle wheel rebuilding – help needed.

I finally got that straightened out and purchased a wheel truing stand. I rebuilt the trans, installed a solo saddle in place of the original bench seat, and fired it up for the first time a year ago. That’s when I realized that the front forks were hitting the front of the engine when you turned to the right. There’s a company (one man show) in California that straightens these old BMW frames, and I sent him my Earles Court front forks. After installing the newly aligned forks, I kept blowing the main fuse. I spent a couple of weeks rewiring the voltage regulator, starter solenoid, and tail lights. Finally, it’s all together.

Yes, I did say starter solenoid. This motor is out of Messerschmitt bubble car. It’s an R67 motor that BMW modified for Messerschmitt and includes a Bosch DynaStart. It’s a starter motor and generator all in one. The very worn solenoid and regulator looked like they needed replacing, but go for about $800 if you can find them. I replaced mine with a 1991 Ford F150 starter solenoid and a 1969 VW Squareback voltage regulator. Now all seems fine.

You’ll also notice the battery is mounted on the side. This will sit between the bike and the sidecar, and eventually will be covered with saddle bags. The larger battery is needed for the starter, which the original bike never had.

[Rick Lee]

[Walter_Middie]

You can see pictures of what it looked like when I brought it home in the "wheels link" proveded above.

Just got back from a 30 mile ride in some of best local back roads. It's a beautiful fall day here in Seattle. Bike ran great.

[Jeff Higgins]

Awesome, Rex. I've been wondering where you've been and what you've been up to. Say, I don't see the RD in the background of any of the pics - please tell me it's still around.

[Hard-Deck]

That is gorgeous! I just bought an R90 w/ intensions of a sidecar too!

[jhynesrockmtn]

Sweet! Nice job. Glad to hear you got the frame work figured out. I got my R50 running pretty well this summer. This was my setup headed to race in Portland. Rode the bike all over the place that weekend. The R69S is a restoration the PO of my BMW's did several years ago.

[Walter_Middie]

I don't see the RD in the background of any of the pics - please tell me it's still around.

Yes, I still have the RD400. I was on Highbridge Road yesterday with the BMW. I passed a Ducati going the other way and wondered if that was you Jeff. The BMW certainly handles different from the RD – this is biggest bike I’ve owned, and will take some getting used to.

That is gorgeous! I just bought an R90 w/ intensions of a sidecar too!

Thanks Snapper33. I pulled my sidecar out of the shed yesterday and will be getting that put together shortly. Your R90 should be great with a sidecar.

Jerry – your R69S is beautiful. I’d like to see it in person sometime so I can see what I'm missing.

[hardflex]

Great Looking Bikes !


I've got a 65 R50S That's gonna need carb parts. Any recommendations on where to go ?

[Joeaksa]

Looks very nice!

I would really look at ditching that full size battery and get an Optima or other half sized battery in its place. Even with the hack on the bike it will still look out of place but a smaller battery would help.

[jhynesrockmtn]

The R69 is not mine. It was a restoration the previous owner of my bike did for a friend of his in Europe. The tank on the 69 was originally on my R50 :-( He's a great guy, several more pictures can be seen at his smugmug page. If you have questions he may be of some help as well.

bokrijder's Photos

[Walter_Middie]

I've got a 65 R50S That's gonna need carb parts. Any recommendations on where to go ?

Hardflex - my carbs were completely corroded and I needed all new parts. I got them from here:

Bing carbs for /2

Joeaksa - I'm not crazy about the battery location either, but before I change it, I'm going to try and cover it with a saddlebag and see what that looks like.

[jhynesrockmtn]

Is that a 6 volt golf cart battery or was it converted to 12 volt electricals?

It looks like it still has the kick starter, would it make sense to ditch the electric start or just not use it and put the batter back under the frame?

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by jhynesrockmtn

Is that a 6 volt golf cart battery or was it converted to 12 volt electricals?

It looks like it still has the kick starter, would it make sense to ditch the electric start or just not use it and put the batter back under the frame?

Read the first part again. The unit has a "starter/generator" so if he "ditches the starter" he has also removed the generator. Not a good thing to do...

[speeder]

Very cool. Nice poodle as well, they are such smart dogs.

[Walter_Middie]

Is that a 6 volt golf cart battery or was it converted to 12 volt electricals?

It looks like it still has the kick starter, would it make sense to ditch the electric start or just not use it and put the batter back under the frame?

Joeaksa is correct - it's a 12V snowmobile battery, and it is an integral part of the engine - not an add-on.

Besides, my other bike is kick start. You get all your gear on, then try to start it. After a few dozen kicks (I exaggerate, but you get the idea), you start to sweat and take off all the gear you just put on. Then after you catch your breath, you start to kick some more. I still think kick start is cool, but that's partly because it's so impractical.

Nice poodle as well, they are such smart dogs.

This one's come a long way after being kept in a kennel for her first 3 to 4 months. Now she is a great companion in the shop, hiking, kayaking, camping, and running. You name it, she loves doing it.

[JCF]

Nice bikes !

Just did a 250 mile run last Thursday through Maine and the White Mts. of N.H. - Kankamangus in full fall bloom ! (and no traffic). Both scenery and bike were AWSOME
- Only time I knew I was on an old machine was when I needed to pass - or stop. Ha.

Here's my '68 R69S

[redstrosekNic]

That's a great looking bike! I can't wait to see the sidecar mounted up...

[Walter_Middie]

I can't wait to see the sidecar mounted up...

My sidecar is getting close, and I took my first tentative spin around the block last night, and even talked my wife into riding in the sidecar.

This is what I started with several years ago:





And here is a comparison of the almost completed body:



I spent some time cleaning and removing rust. The lower half got a coat of undercoating.





I delivered the frame to DMC sidecars in Enumclaw, Washington. My Jeep was dying off and on, and making the almost 200 mile round trip was a real nail biter. DMC replaced the bent swing arm and installed a more modern coil-over shock absorber.

[Walter_Middie]

My sidecar is a 1973 Russian built Jupiter. DMC sold a few of these back in the 70s. It’s fairly rare – but unfortunately that doesn’t make it worth a lot of money. The later and much more popular model was the Sputnik, which they sold in the 70s and 80s by the container full. They can’t get them anymore, and DMC now builds some of their own one-at-a-time, and they sell the popular URAL.

DMC Sidecars | Motorcycle Sidecars, Motorcycle Trike Conversions | Sidecar Frames and Accesories

Here are pictures of the repaired frame mounted to the bike:




Here are pictures just before setting off around the block:





I still have to get the wheel cover on - and I need to take the Evergreen Safety Council class after the weather improves a little around here.

[mikesride]

Cool bike!!! I like just as it is!!! That being said I understand the desire to make it pretty. SHAFT DRIVE BACK IN 1969!!!!! I learn something new off this site every time I log on!!! Cool story, nice bike, thanks for sharing!!!