The seller has provided a cold start video from this week, he notes that it was started “after about 6 months storage in my garage.”
The BMW R50 was offered from 1955 to 1960. It was powered by a 500cc engine and when paired with a 4-speed transmission it put out 26hp and a top speed of 82mph. In their initial test of the bike in 1955 MotorCycle magazine out of Germany described it by saying, “Acceleration was zestful without being tigerish, but was chiefly notable for sweetness whether the engine speed was high or low.”
Changes in engine design lead to new models in 1961 which came to be known as “slash-2s” and most easily identified by the six-fin valve covers and Hella bar-end turn signals. The final drive shaft was now covered and in 1967 the suspension saw an upgrade with telescopic forks before the series ended in 1969, selling approximately 15,815 units.
This example is VIN: 644381. Engine: 644381. The seller purchased the bike May 1970 from a private party out of Lancaster, Ohio, and states, “After finishing grad school (1971), I wanted to look for work in California, so I rode it from Cincinnati, OH across to Los Angeles, then up the California coast to Happy Camp, CA, believing I could find work there. After a month, I decided to head back East, up through Oregon stopping at Crater Lake, then heading through Idaho to Yellowstone in Wyoming, and subsequently back across the plains to Cincinnati. Other trips were from there to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and also out to Albuquerque, New Mexico. There were never any mechanical issues all that time except for a bolt that came loose from the universal joint of the drive shaft. A BMW dealer in Sacramento kindly put it back in. In 1973, as a Peace Corps volunteer I went to teach at a University in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), prepped and garaged the bike at my bother’s house in Cincinnati. It was used for a few weeks in mid 1977 before I returned to Malaysia to work, and garaged it again. When I finally returned to the USA for good in 2021, I moved to Connecticut and trailered the bike to where I live now. I contacted Max BMW and requested a complete overhaul and mechanical restoration (all this is formally documented). But I cannot ride it anymore, = so it is time to sell.”
During his ownership, the seller has cover 22,685 miles. The odometer shows 23,887 miles.
Maintenance:
Per the seller, “The bike was totally restored by Max BMW, New Milford, CT in 2022. All repairs replacements are documented, including dismantling of essentially the entire bike, after which it was road tested by a Max mechanic.”
Modifications:
“No modifications made. Small luggage rack removed (rusted) and full fairing removed (in 1973).”
Inside of the tank:
It is riding on Heidenau tires with date codes of 1023 and 4023.
The sale includes two ignition keys, one tank key, manuals, tool kit, various parts, bike cover, and helmet.
Cosmetic Blemishes: please see the album up top for all known cosmetic blemishes. Here is a selection:
“There is some irregular paint on the top of the gas tank. I had trouble photographing it up close.”
Currently located in Mansfield Center, Connecticut, this BMW is offered on a clean Ohio title. Have any R50/2 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
