looking for a 1969 R60 or R69S (earles fork)

[Bensonhurst]

1969 R60 or R69S earles fork, matching numbers are nice but not required.
Anybody know of one for sale?
I'm looking to buy one and can't find one I like, and can afford.
I have cash, not a lot of cash but a reasonable amount.

[DarrylRi]

Any reason that you want a 1969 in particular? As I understand it, nearly all of the bikes imported that year had US forks (eg, telescopics), as the factory was ramping them up and the call for Earles forks -- because they're good for sidecar use, but otherwise heavy -- had dwindled.

Likely most '69s you see with Earles forks have been retrofitted with them. If the bike was built with US forks, it won't have any sidecar attachment equipment.

[Bensonhurst]

Any reason that you want a 1969 in particular? As I understand it, nearly all of the bikes imported that year had US forks (eg, telescopics), as the factory was ramping them up and the call for Earles forks -- because they're good for sidecar use, but otherwise heavy -- had dwindled.

Likely most '69s you see with Earles forks have been retrofitted with them. If the bike was built with US forks, it won't have any sidecar attachment equipment.

In 69 they offered a choice of front ends and most die hard BMW riders insisted on an Earles fork model.
I prefer a 69 because it had some goodies not previously offered, like a brake light switch on the front brake, but a 68 would do; I had a new 68 R69S in 1968

[20774]

My 1969-titled R69S did not have the brake light switch setup for the front brake...it does have the Earles fork. According to BMW Mobile Tradition, my bike was manufactured in May 1968 but not delivered to a dealer until later in the year. A US soldier bought the bike in Germany and had it shipped to the US.

I wanted the 1969 mostly so that all "good" modifications had been done to it by the end of the production run. One modification in particular is the LK heads to get the best metallurgy. There were continuous improvements along the way, but I think the last of the improvements came in the late 1967 timeframe. That's what I remember after reading Roland Slabon's book. I kept check when modifications were made beginning with specific frame numbers and mine was always after that.

Kurt in S.A.

[kbasa]

You might want to post it up here, too: http://www.bmwmoa.org/flea/

[DarrylRi]

The LK heads came in in 1967. They were also the standard replacements for any of the earlier heads that failed, and it's not uncommon to find a bike with one LK head.

I was under the impression that the front brake light switch, along with the side reflectors, came on the 1968 models as well. The brake switch is not hard nor particularly expensive to retrofit to an earlier bike, if that's what is important to you.

You should also be aware that in those days, it was not uncommon for a bike to get registered as a model from the year of sale, rather than from the year of production. Nobody wants to buy a year (or two) old motorcycle, and the dealers had control of how it showed up on the title.

[Bensonhurst]

The LK heads came in in 1967. They were also the standard replacements for any of the earlier heads that failed, and it's not uncommon to find a bike with one LK head.

I was under the impression that the front brake light switch, along with the side reflectors, came on the 1968 models as well. The brake switch is not hard nor particularly expensive to retrofit to an earlier bike, if that's what is important to you.

You should also be aware that in those days, it was not uncommon for a bike to get registered as a model from the year of sale, rather than from the year of production. Nobody wants to buy a year (or two) old motorcycle, and the dealers had control of how it showed up on the title.

1969 saw many changes in the Vehicle equipment requirements, such as head restraints, and side reflectors for automobiles.
Many vehicles were, indeed, sold as later year vehicles, but a TRUE 1969 will be properly equipped.

[ooweel]

Whats it gonna be? Money? Lots of it! OR? A barn find? A divorce sale?
I am guessing LOTSA MOOLA as most (not all) have an idea what a bike like this generally goes for. Hope you been watching them on the different sites for sale in the past years as they havent gotten any cheaper. Not that they cant be found. A /2 was found just a couple days ago for $600 bucks and the soon to be buyer wanted to know if that was a good deal or not? Should he do it???????? If it has a large sport tank? That alone by Ebay standards if in fair shape a couple dents and scratches, just closed at $735 bucks. See 600 dollars is a good find! And fairly decent and above R69s and other /2's seem to bring 10K or better. Beaters? Seen them go for wild money too! Must be the VIN Number?? LOL! Either way I will post when I find one for sale! I will be selling my very original, very nice, 1966 R60/2 here very soon which doesnt meet your criteria for cost and year. I am expecting it should bring a fair amount? How much? Only Ebay knows????????

.000000000000000000002 cents :blah

[Bensonhurst]

It's not a 1969, and it's not an R60 or R 69S, but WOW, check it out.

http://allegretti.us/mcy/rr2.jpg

http://allegretti.us/mcy/lf2.jpg

http://allegretti.us/mcy/52b.jpg

[ooweel]

IS it yours? Or are you buying this nice rig? LOOOOOOKS like alot of fun! :blah

[Bensonhurst]

IS it yours? Or are you buying this nice rig? LOOOOOOKS like alot of fun! :blah
It's mine now.
Found it about 5 miles from home.

[ooweel]

Comon give details? :stick We wanna know thats why were :stick Other details like? Conversion motor, hack, you know the juicey stuff! You ever had a sidecar before? they make my :heart pound. Have had two old school one new school tons of fun! OK waiting foir the run down on the rig.


00weel

[Bensonhurst]

Comon give details? :stick We wanna know thats why were :stick Other details like? Conversion motor, hack, you know the juicey stuff! You ever had a sidecar before? they make my :heart pound. Have had two old school one new school tons of fun! OK waiting foir the run down on the rig.
00weel

I know the previous owner and have lusted after this rig for many years; he knew that.
Finally I told him, I'm hunting for a vintage BMW and would prefer his, over someone elses.
He had been wanting to sell, but his wife was holding out, so I gave her lifetime visiting rights and the deal was done.
They are a very, VERY, sweet older couple and are like my adopted parents.

read more about my motorcycle history and addiction (http://allegretti.us)

[ooweel]

Always nice when you can admire something for years then be allowed to be the next in line to carry on! I have a bike I saw in a magazine in 1970 and always thought "WOW" way cool! Stumbled across the bike here almost 10 years ago. Made friends with the guy who was on the design team who built it and bought it from him with the understanding I have to offer it back to him if I ever want to release interest in the bike. Funny thing! It was only 20 miles away from my house. It had been out of the country for almost a decade when he got first rights to re-purchase from the guy he sold it to and bought it back! And YES its a conversion!

.00000002 cents