Philippine Import – 1966 BMW R50/2

In Germany, Standard by AbhiLeave a Comment

Post Sale Update: After being relisted, this sold for $4,550 with 36 bids on eBay.


This bike isn’t perfect, but it’s got an interesting history that I think is worth sharing. It was originally sold to the Philippines through the local distributor, Hahn Manila. Import fees were motorcycles were quite high so to get around that, imported bikes were torn down to parts before shipping and reassembled once they arrived. Because of that, frame and engine numbers often did not match, and that’s the case here as well.

Per the seller, it was common for Filipino owners to customize their bikes with accessories that you typically wouldn’t see in other countries, particularly metal covers with a turned finish. In the early 80s, an American soldier shipped this bike back home and then scavenged some parts for use on another /2. Once the current seller acquired the bike, he replaced most missing parts (like the throttle assembly, cables, and a footpeg) and got the bike into running condition – though it’s still going to need some work. Specifically, the seller notes that you’ll need to connect the battery and find a left handlebar switch. I just hope that the next owner is somehow able to keep the ’82 license plate from the Phillippines on the bike.

For more details and to hear this BMW fire up, check out this video from the seller.

Find this slash 2 for sale in Los Angeles, California with bidding up to $4,350