Post-Sale Update: After 27 bids on eBay, this R51 racer sold for $30,100. Then it was relisted and sold for $22,600.
Built between 1938 and 1940, the R51 was BMW’s last sport bike before World War II commenced. It was an evolution from the R5 that gained telescopic front forks and a plunger rear suspension. 3,775 examples were produced with a 500cc engine that puts out 24 horsepower – check out how the valve covers look!
This example (claimed VIN: 8430) has been with the seller since the early 90’s, when he imported it from Germany. The motor was ‘updated’ to compete in vintage racing at Bley Engineering, including new aluminum cylinders, cylinder heads, and aluminum rocker arms plus a new crankshaft with Carillo rods and spline shaft drive. Impressively, the seller was able to win 13 races and multiple First in Shows in three years of vintage racing:
Find this R51 racer for sale in Marathon, Florida with bidding up to $25,000