R69 motor in R50 Frame Value

[schrader7032]

An option would be to get the R69/R50 and then have the orphans listed in the Orphan List. Who knows, maybe down the road one will surface!

[Daves79x]

My '59 R50 serial number 560178 was built in March of '59.

Dave

[Daves79x]

Bill: I just picked up a complete '56 R69 serial number 652450. It was built very likely in March or April of '56. I also have a '55 serial number 089. Other than the R50 frame number, you will not know a bit of difference riding the R69-powered bike. Take the front cover off and see if the mag has the long adjustable points plate mounted on screws with springs. No biggie on that particular bike, as complete originality is long ago gone. They run just fine with a standard plate and most guys disable the manual retard anyway as it sometimes does not reliably return to standard advance. My '55 works just fine be operable though.

I'd see if you could get the bike for under $10K though. It'd make a great sidecar hauler. Also check to see if it has the sidecar transmission. There will be no 'S' stamped on the flat by the speedo cable attachment. That original engine would have had the sidecar transmission from the factory.

FWIW, the R69 is absolutely the best of the Earles bikes, hands down. Not the cammy power of the R69S, just smooth, linear power you can always use.

Dave

[xackley]

The white plug is no sign of mileage, my original rotted away.
Around 2012 I bought a new white plug.

Don

[R68]

The reproduction timing plugs are white, with a subtly different shape. The originals turn yellow, as with your R69 motor.
Sidecar R69 and R69S use the solo gearbox, the R60 used the sidecar gearbox.
If I had an early R69 motor I'd build another like this, or maybe the same thing as from 1955-60: ISDT are often bitsa bikes anyway because the frames don't last too long in use.
I don't know what this bike under discussion is worth, but good luck whatever you decide...

[Daves79x]

Not sure what you are exactly saying about the sidecar transmissions but all '55 and most '56 R50 and R69 models came from the factory with the non-S, or sidecar transmission. Not sure what the very first '56 R60 came with. It was optional after that.

Dave

[wa1nca]

The reproduction timing plugs are white, with a subtly different shape. The originals turn yellow, as with your R69 motor.
Sidecar R69 and R69S use the solo gearbox, the R60 used the sidecar gearbox.
If I had an early R69 motor I'd build another like this, or maybe the same thing as from 1955-60: ISDT are often bitsa bikes anyway because the frames don't last too long in use.
I don't know what this bike under discussion is worth, but good luck whatever you decide...

Very nice bike !!
Is that a air tank next to the rear shock

L1005296.jpg (39.08 KiB) Viewed 1749 times

tommy

[pinbill]

You guys are great. I posted up questions about my r50/2 last year and I got good advice right away and you gave me good advice about this bike. Thanks for steering me away from the Frankenstein bike. I bought an r60/2 in Utah yesterday. It was listed on the MOA classifieds. I left from Denver at 5am and was back with the bike by 10pm. I need to get it off the trailer and post some pictures later today. It is very original, low mileage, one owner, and original paint.