BMW’s R69S is one of its most beloved models of all time, and when it was first released it was a fairly groundbreaking sport bike. The German manufacturer would first introduce the 35 hp R69 in 1955, but by 1960 it would be replaced by the improved R69S. The S-version would remain BMW’s flagship sport bike throughout the 1960’s, during which time BMW would focus on improving the reliability and longevity of the model rather than bolstering its raw speed. Because of this, the machine became renowned for being smooth, bullet-proof, and high-quality with solid handling. Though they weren’t the fastest scoots being made, their top-speed was nothing to scoff at.
Supposedly, 11,317 units were produced from 1960-1969 (including the later US models) – all of which were made in Munich – with only minor changes and updates over the near-decade. The R69S was basically a jazzed-up version of its predecessor, featuring improvements like a rubber vibration damper at the end of the crankshaft and main bearings that were designed to tolerate the violent flex and pull in the crank. It also featured a few trick components that now came standard such as a Earles leading-link fork and a steering damper. The R69S also had a revised clutch with reinforced springs and a close-ratio transmission. In total the machine weighed in at 445 lbs (wet).
The engine was another key area of revision on the R69S. The air-cooled 594cc, four-stroke, OHV, boxer twin made 42.1 hp at 7,000 rpm and had a top-speed of around 110 mph. The massaged German twin was helped along with a less restrictive exhaust system, Bing carbs, and a higher compression-ratio than the R69. The S models also featured Bosch generators and spark plugs and magneto ignitions. Wrapped around the flat twin was a double-loop steel tubular frame married to an Earles fork in front and dual oil-pressure shocks in back, though a telescopic fork would replace the Earles starting in ’67 for the US market. Aside from the handlebars, the US and Euro-spec models were near identical before 1967.
This particular 1967 R69S has been owned and restored by various BMW experts and is one of the nicer BMW resto-jobs I’ve seen. The current owner says he/she has more than a quarter-century of riding and wrenching experience, and claims to serve as a concourse judge. The current owner bought the bike from John Viljoen who owned Antique Cycle NorthWest before it closed. The previous owner is reported to have purchased it in the San Francisco Bay Area before relocating to the North West. At some point he opted to have it broken down and rebuilt, a task that was taken on by Ross Poitras who worked at a North Western BWW dealership and Poke’s Cycle, in Seattle, Washington.
It appears the rebuild was never completed as the BMW would sit in boxes for the next couple decades before finally being brought to Antique Cycle NorthWest in 2014 where the South African vintage-moto expert John Viljoen would buy the project. Viljoen would then sell the bike to the current owner who happens to be friends with the aforementioned BMW dealership mechanic Ross Poitras. Together the current owner and Poitras would rebuild the matching numbers ’67 Beemer, competing the job in Fall of 2017.
The restoration was extremely thorough and though the ad includes more specifics, some highlights include the installation of a restored air-pump, full electrical restoration with new wiring harness, new light switches, metal harness retainers, rebuilt carbs, new lubricants, and a “proper black rubber unit” battery that contains spill-proof 6V cells inside that the seller claims will hold a charge for more than a year. New brakes were also added, as well as rebuilt aluminum wheels with new bearings and new stainless spokes that are wrapped in new German Continental tires from their vintage catalog. The odo was also reset to zero upon the completion of the engine’s restoration.
Cosmetically, this example is pretty immaculate. All rubber parts – such as the seat, grips and various seals and grommets – have been replaced and a two-stage Avus Black was applied over epoxy primer on freshly sand-blasted components. Seemingly almost every surface, nut and bolt have been pored over and blasted, polished, coated, or sealed in some capacity, including the brightwork which has been polished, replated or replaced and the exhaust system which includes NOS mufflers. The seller also has a variety of other seats, fender racks, crash guards, and lighting protection that is available for purchase for a little extra. The sale includes the original toolbox and a steering head lock, as well as a bunch of documentation and service records.
I don’t know how long the company has been doing this, but BMW now gives the owners of its vehicles the ability to email a vehicle’s VIN, and theu will reply with info such as specific production dates, original factory color, factory options, and where the vehicle was exported. The service is upfront about the fact they don’t have records for everything, but for a free service it’s pretty cool. After emailing them about this particular matching numbers example, they responded, informing me that it was “manufactured on March 4th, 1966 and delivered on May 24th, 1966 to the BMW importer Butler & Smith in New York City. The bike was equipped with a bench seat.” Unfortunately, they couldn’t tell me its original color.
Obviously this example is pretty expensive, granted this can partially be explained by it being sold at a high-end dealership. There is obviously some markup added to this Beemer’s price tag, though there are undeniable benefits to buying from luxury dealerships, especially when they have solid reputations. To some extent you pay a premium for peace of mind., as well as something of a finder’s fee.
You can find this matching numbers 1967 BMW R69S (VIN: 661167) for sale here on Craigslist at South Sound Motorcycles in Tacoma, Washington with a price of $25,590.