Look what the shipper just dropped off !! YaY :)

[kheerema]

1969 R69S All original. :german

It should clean up real nice. Can't wait to ride it, just have to find a 6V battery! Sorry for the fuzzy pics, I guess 1.2 megs is not that great.

I'll post some more once i get her cleaned up.

[kheerema]

+1

[kheerema]

Fresh delivery from California...;)

[20774]

Nice...you actually have an R69US. The US models have the telescopic forks while the R69S has the Earles fork. Looks like everything's there. I got mine with the wide bench seat too, but decided I wanted the solo seat for that classic look.

Lots of fun ahead of you!

[crazydrummerdude]

Awesome!

I'm totally jealous.

[sumran]

That is very nice. Does it need anything other than a good cleaning and a battery?

[PAULBACH]

There has to be an interesting story here. How did you find it?

Craigslist?
eBay?

:ear

[kheerema]

Nice...you actually have an R69US. The US models have the telescopic forks while the R69S has the Earles fork. Looks like everything's there. I got mine with the wide bench seat too, but decided I wanted the solo seat for that classic look.

Lots of fun ahead of you!

Hey Kurt,

Yeah, i was a bit confused regarding the US and S differences. I was being told it was a 1969 R69S (i bought it sight unseen), and then i did some research and found out about the US models with the telescopic forks (US). I am fond of the Earles forks, but as rare as these bikes seem to be I couldn't be picky! I don't know if my Uncle was aware of the S/US difference, he definitely knew about the telescopic forks. OH, and yeah, i've seen those cool solo seats, i plan to ditch the wide seat eventually and go with the solo seat. the pics i've seen of the bike set up like that look real cool.

I hope you don't mind...since you have one of these...I"ll probably be buggin' you at some point ;) I've never laid wrench to a 60's bike.

[kheerema]

That is very nice. Does it need anything other than a good cleaning and a battery?

Thanks Sumran, other than going to the post office to pick up the title, i don't think so. i was told its currently running. although from first glance it looks like the push rod tube seals are weeping a bit, but its hard to tell as the bike is pretty dirty.

it was drained of fuel for the delivery, so i'll have to just put some gas in it and go from there. i was told it was only ridden a few times a year and a new battery put in every other year or so... who knows after all this time...

[DarrylRi]

Great bike! But I think you'll get more response to this thread (and any others you start about your bike) over in the Vintage area.

[kheerema]

There has to be an interesting story here. How did you find it?

Craigslist?
eBay?

:ear

I obtained the bike from my Uncle, a Vietnam war veteran. He has had it for 20 years. He teaches auto mechanics at a vocational school in Fillmore, CA so he's always been into cars and bikes. When we were younger we always liked visiting his garage to see what cool old cars the class was working on (I remember a Dodge Dart I thought was just **** when I was 13). I found out about the bike a few years ago at a family function when bmw's came up. I knew my Uncle had a few bikes, but not a cool vintage beemer. I've only had my /6 for 3 years, so didn't know much about them before that. For a few years I"d joke with my Uncle at family get togethers about buying the bike. I had no idea how much they were worth. At a Cousin's wedding the weekend of the 4th I joked again and my Uncle said that he had no problem selling it to me. Unfortunately he is having some health issues and does not want the bike to fall into the "wrong" hands if something sudden should happen. I worked out the shipping details sight unseen. I found out some detail on the bike's history, and I have an email from my Uncle with it, but the jist is this: The second owner, who he purchased the bike from in 1989, obtained it from his brother, the original owner, a Vietnam service man who ended his life rather than serve a second tour in Nam.

[kheerema]

Great bike! But I think you'll get more response to this thread (and any others you start about your bike) over in the Vintage area.

Oh, i didn't realize there was another forum for even older bikes. SOrry! Can someone move the thread?

[DarrylRi]

Oh, i didn't realize there was another forum for even older bikes. SOrry! Can someone move the thread?

Already did.

"Airheads" generally refer to the Type 247 boxers produced from 1970 with the introduction of the /5 models to 1996. (The name was invented to distinguish them from the then newly introduced Type 259 Oilheads.)

BMW is normally a very evolutionary company, choosing to make incremental changes along the way. But the changeover from the /2 to the /5 series was wholesale -- very little was retained. 12V electrics, high pressure oiling system, plain bearings in the motor, electric start, new frame, specific wheels for front and back, plastic bodywork, CV carbs, etc. makes the difference between the two eras dramatic.

[kheerema]

Already did.

"Airheads" generally refer to the Type 247 boxers produced from 1970 with the introduction of the /5 models to 1996. (The name was invented to distinguish them from the then newly introduced Type 259 Oilheads.)

BMW is normally a very evolutionary company, choosing to make incremental changes along the way. But the changeover from the /2 to the /5 series was wholesale -- very little was retained. 12V electrics, high pressure oiling system, plain bearings in the motor, electric start, new frame, specific wheels for front and back, plastic bodywork, CV carbs, etc. makes the difference between the two eras dramatic.

Thanks for moving the post, and the history lesson :lurk I agree, those were some big changes. I quickly noticed the pushrod tubes on top of the cylinders vs. the bottom.

Now if anyone could give me some tips on how to degrease and remove all this dirt from the bike, I'd be in good shape. It has serious build up on most of the lower half of the bike. Powerwash? Or will that mess up the bearings? Is there some product I can use to degrease that won't eat away at anything? It doesn't look like this crud is going to come off with soap/sponge/hose.

[rpeckham136133]

Step AWAY from the powerwasher.... keep your hands visible at all times.... attaboy!


Work gingerly, you will find old rubber and seals that will not put up with pressure, don't even think about it... Use some good strong detergent as a degreaser, alot of folks like Simple Green, full strenth, and a toothbrush, nylon brush. That should get into most of the crud, along with the appropriate elbow grease, that is!

Great story, glad you got the bike.... Respect the history behind it, and enjoy. They are great ole bikes.

Sorry for the guy who didn't want to do another tour in Nam. Bless his soul. Those were tough times.

[marchyman]

Is there some product I can use to degrease that won't eat away at anything? It doesn't look like this crud is going to come off with soap/sponge/hose.

WD-40. It's base is similar to kerosene and acts as a mild solvent that loosens the crud without harming anything. That plus a scoth-brite sponge will remove lots of crud. For serious crud removal of non-painted parts the next step is often navel jelly or aluminum jelly. Apply, wait, rinse. Repeat. Kind of like shampoo :laugh

[BMWDEAN]

I use this battery on all my slash-2s. It holds the charge well and is sealed. The plug allows quick disconnecting for charging. I will use it indefinitely. Sold at any Batteries Plus.

http://www.batteriesplus.com/p-32644-werker-6v-14ah-battery-with-s-terminal.aspx

http://www.batteriesplus.com/images/Product/large/32644.jpg

[skiteach]

Zep Citrus cleaner, available at Home Depot does a really good job.

[kheerema]

Well i figured i'd post some progress on the bike in this thread and keep it to one thread if ya'll don't mind. I had some difficulty getting the bike to start. Put a fresh battery in, new spark plugs and cleaned out the carbs and installed new intake "manifold?" and carb gaskets. with a few kicks i was able to go for a spin. :buds:clap:groovy my first impression was that the bike with some work will run real well. :heart :hear there's some before and after pics of the carbs. now its time to replace cables, speedo seal, clean out oil pan, etc. etc...

[kheerema]

:bottle

[kheerema]

:sick:sick I recommend using a fan with this stuff. Ventilation is a must! :sick:sick

[20774]

Kevin -

Once you get to fine tuning things, check to see if there are any air leaks on those carb flanges that mate with the heads. They're known to warp due to overtightening...that creates a leak. It's a straightforward process to lap them flat again. I believe Duane talks about this on his site.

http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/flange/index.htm

There's another peculiar thing that can happen to these carbs...I noticed it on mine. The central jet tower can work it's way up into the throat, affecting the positioning of the slide. Duane also mentions tapping this back flush.

http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/carb/index.htm