Built by Herr Helmut Lünemann in the winter of ’65, this rare BMW sidecar racer was used in international GP’s including Germany in ’66-’68. Since then this two-man racer has gone through a few different owners before ending up with its current seller who would go on to do extensive restoration work since buying it three decades ago. Despite it being powered by an RS engine back in ’65, it’s now powered by a highly modified R50 motor.
The current seller explained to me that he bought this BMW to compete vintage racing events and that “no expenses were spared” when outfitting the racer with mostly period-correct parts such as Ferendo Competezione brake linings and original KRÖBER tach. The frame was overhauled, rewelded, sandblasted and then finally painted black along with the tank and main-cover. Some of the fairings (nosecone and wheel-covers) were also reworked before being painted yellow. The brake cylinders have been rebuilt with new seals and plungers, along with new high-pressure (brake) hoses and tubes and a rebuilt rear-brake cylinder.
The “highly-tuned” R50 engine has seen a lot of work recently such as new rebuilt crank w/ new con-rods, bearings, crankpins, oil-slingers, bearing-holder, pushers-guides, and gasket (I think the seller maybe means seals?). It also recently got KAISER cylinders, heavily modified cylinder heads, seating job done, polished rockers, RO 160 cam, double actions 32 DEL ORTOS (carb) with double float chambers, new aluminum-flywheel and friction disk and plate. Clearly a ton of work (and cash) has gone into this vintage sidecar racer. The sidecar wheel has been swapped out with a 10″ magnesium Minilite rim.
This example isn’t exactly pristine, but it’s nonetheless is solid running condition, especially for a 50+ year-old moto. According to the seller, it just got a new battery and all this R50 powered machine needs to partake in vintage racing is a new set of tires, oil, and petrol. You can find this historic racer for sale in Sweden here on RaceBikeMart with a price of $27,000 (or £21,000).