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What is the Factory Correct Speedometer for 1951 R51/3?
What is the Factory Correct Speedometer for 1951 R51/3?
1951 BMW R51/3
Frame # 525439
Solo gears 35/9
What is the factory correct speedometer?
The one that was with the bike when I bought it is a VDO 160 KMH
Markings on housing: W 1.0 9,51
I'd like to fix this one if it might be original to the bike; or find one that matches what the bike was born with. Thanks, friends!
1951 R51/3
1976 R90S
- therealkennyboy
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Re: What is the Factory CorrecAt Speedometer for 1951 R51/3?
For Kilometers: 0.95
The above for a R51/2, /3 solo 35:9
The 1.0 would be for a 25:6 drive.
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1960 R60 (currently), 1974 R75/6 (past), 1981 R100CS (currently), 1984 R100RS (past), 1989 K100RS (past)
Re: What is the Factory Correct Speedometer for 1951 R51/3?
I've seen several different face styles on various R51/3 bikes - all VDO or Veigel - I think even one with a scripted Veigel logo from a guy in the UK with #98 bike in the 1951 production run.
This VDO popped up on Ebay, claiming to be from a 1951 https://www.ebay.com/itm/384021123304 but I am suspicious because other R51/3 parts they are selling right now are things I know are not 1951.
Anyway, thanks for your comment.
mh
1951 R51/3
1976 R90S
- schrader7032
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Re: What is the Factory Correct Speedometer for 1951 R51/3?
https://vintagebmw.org/vmca/v2n3/index. ... 1654193409
if you have access. Hmmm...linking doesn't seem to work.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
- therealkennyboy
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Re: What is the Factory Correct Speedometer for 1951 R51/3?
If it came to the American distributor (Butler & Smith), it would have come with a 1.52 speedo. If it was sent to a European distributor, it would have come with the 0.95 one. That'll at least tell you how it left the factory. As for which specific speedo manufacturer, I doubt you'll be able to be certain. If you can find a proper ratio speedo with a manufacture date in 1951, you'll be as close as you possibly can be, I would think. Just finding the proper ratio with the proper date will be very challenging!
Not sure what that speedo on eBay would go with. A 0.77 ratio would be equivalent to 1.232 for a speedo in miles. I don't see either of those in the list, but something like a 26:8 or 30:9 rear end? Neither of which I've heard of either.
Maybe for an Isetta or 600? What bike(s) were his other parts from?
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1960 R60 (currently), 1974 R75/6 (past), 1981 R100CS (currently), 1984 R100RS (past), 1989 K100RS (past)
Re: What is the Factory Correct Speedometer for 1951 R51/3?
The Ebay dealer has a slew of "1951" R51/3. Some of them are really whacky and not even BMW parts - possibly they disassembled a "bitsa" based on a '51. For example, they have a headlight shell listed as 1951, but it's clearly a later model based on the neutral and generator lights. I also noticed they had some R35 Parts.
Anyway, thanks for the insight. I suppose there's not much point in spending any more energy trying to fix this R51/2 unit, and I'll probably buy one of those "Veigel" repops to use while I complete my research and look for something original.
1951 R51/3
1976 R90S
Re: What is the Factory Correct Speedometer for 1951 R51/3?
I noticed a link before - maybe this one - when I scoured the forum before. Too bad the info is no longer there - things have a way of getting lost on the interwebs.
There's a book that includes various changes that happened during 4 years of the R51/3... something on the order of 8 rear fender variants and 4 for the front [going on memory here]. Someone involved with the research, who was in town visiting my mechanic came to house to photograph my 1951-only air cleaner. http://barringtonmotorworkspublications ... ery/22/127
Anyway, maybe they covered the speedos and I should bite the bullet and buy the book. It's $115 + $15 shipping, which is probably a small price to pay for all the research they did. Thanks for your comment.
1951 R51/3
1976 R90S
- schrader7032
- Posts: 9038
- Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 3:00 am
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Re: What is the Factory Correct Speedometer for 1951 R51/3?
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
Re: What is the Factory Correct Speedometer for 1951 R51/3?
Cheers.
1951 R51/3
1976 R90S
- therealkennyboy
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2022 5:44 pm
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Re: What is the Factory Correct Speedometer for 1951 R51/3?
Scottsdale, AZ, USA
1960 R60 (currently), 1974 R75/6 (past), 1981 R100CS (currently), 1984 R100RS (past), 1989 K100RS (past)