Owning and collecting BMW motorcycles

(Page 4 of 4)

May/June 2007
By Bill Stermer 
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“The power output among the various models ranges from a low of 24hp in the early 500s to an adequate 42hp in the R69S. Personally, I prefer to make modifications to ‘save’ the power the engine makes rather than to try and ‘hop-up’ the engine. We do this by lightening the flywheel and some of the clutch components, which has the added advantage of improving the shifting. The valve train can also be lightened slightly. All of this adds up to an engine that revs a little more quickly and is much smoother and more fun to ride.”

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I got a chance to ride Kevin’s green R69S briefly at a rally, and was impressed with how well it worked. It kicks over easily and starts immediately, and despite having covered about 950 miles the previous few days the engine was clean and oil-tight.

In comparison with bikes of today, the R69S feels small; it’s short, light and compact. With its sprung seat and reworked suspension (by Works Performance) it offers a very smooth ride — nothing like what I expected from a 1960s motorcycle. The four-speed transmission shifts with effort, but it shifts well. Acceleration is relaxed by today’s standards, but the 600cc engine offers good torque and is very smooth.

It all brings back to me the BMW I’d seen sitting in that farmer’s yard some 40 years ago. With guys like Kevin Brooks and the network of parts and information that’s sprung up, I could still live my dream.

Brooks Motor Works is located at 8620 Pacific Ave. S.E., Olympia, WA 98513; KevinBrooks_4@msn.com

For a complete listing of suggested reading material, vendor and club contacts, and more on collecting vintage BMWs, click here.

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