What should I price things at?

[Darryl.Richman]

For a new crankshaft, you should probably ask a king's ransom. I've never seen a new one advertised in the 10 years I've been playing at these old bikes.

There are a very few specialists who can take an old crank and restore it; they stay very busy. Ed Korn advertises new conrod assemblies for $180 each. Then it's a matter of paying someone to take the crank apart and put it back together again, correctly.

As far as a nonmatching numbers R60 complete and running, probably $4-6k depending on just how nice everything is. It might be worth the same thing as a matching numbers R69S that isn't running.

[Dr. Curve]

Thanks for the information. I will mull it over but its nice to know that the crank, which I paid a bunch for, is worth at least what I paid for it. The R69S has new rims and spokes, has never been down, has the small tank, small seat, twin pencil beam 4 inch running lights on the front, and runs fine.............its just that the original engine is out or it.....and a temporary R60 unit engine was installed in 1980. The bike has not been driven since 1980. I was told that this list could provide me with accurate information as to value so I appriciate your comments. I will consider making a list of all the new parts I have and listing them here first before putting them on a place like E-Bay. I would rather this stuff go to people who really care. Most everything I have is still packed in the factory wrapping and is new and unopened. Crank bearings, both carbs, hubcaps, piston, ring, and pin set, front and rear shock springs, and things like that. One thing that looks strange now is a factory battery still wrapped in its plastic coating, never activated. Its all black with a kinda ribbed rubber top. Looks like something from the forties.

Perhaps I should just price this out as a complete kit? The R69S, with the wrong engine, and the original engine that needs a rebuild. The only thing wrong with the bike is that I can not find the key to the gas cap. What should one do? Guess I could take the tank off and take it to a lock smith. Has anyone run into that problem before and found a trick way to get the cap off without damage to the tank top?

[Darryl.Richman]

The locking gas caps were never offered by BMW themselves, but there were a number of aftermarket options. I would think that a locksmith shouldn't have a difficult time opening it.

There's also a toolbox behind the left side kneepad. The lock should take the same key as fits the steering head lock. Especially the latter can be problematic to remove and repair.

If you watch eBay and the IBMWR Marketplace, for example, you should get an idea of what things are going for. The MOA web site also has a flea market section now, if you're a member, and there are a few vintage bikes that go through there.

The battery you describe sounds like it really is the original type. There are look alikes available still today.

You might check Craig "Vech" Vechorik's Bench Mark Works web site to get an idea of where the prices are on some of your parts.

[Allan.Atherton]

... a new, still in the factory cosmoline, crank with its rods and rollers and I would like to know what I should ask for it. I paid 945. for it in 1978.........has the value gone up or down. Its for a R69S. ...
Someone who had their R60US crank rebuilt soon experienced a cracked web and needed a complete new crank. After a long search a NOS cosmolined factory crank was found in the US at the price of $1500.

[Dr. Curve]

Thank you Alan. I am glad I found this forum. As some of you may know I mostly concentrate on the more recent bikes.........but my very first BMW was a 1963 R69S......and I never forgot it. The current unit I have has been stored in the shop a long time and I just never got around to doing it up right. Hearing the talk and care here makes me wish I had. In my own mind I had thought that a new, in the cosmoline, R69S crank would be worth at least 1350. so you have confirmed that. I know that if I were rebuilding and had put my heart, soul, money, and time into the "perfect" R69S..........I would want a new crank.......not a rebuild......no matter who did it. I will most likely sell everything as a kit but rest assured this forum will know about it first.....just in case someone here wants to start a project with a good bike.....and good original parts.

[Allan.Atherton]

... I had thought that a new, in the cosmoline, R69S crank would be worth at least 1350. so you have confirmed that ...
The search for the NOS R60US crank was driven by the failure of several recent crank rebuilds, and included Europe and well as the US. Yours just might be the last NOS crank in the US, maybe in the world.

[Dr. Curve]

Thanks Allen. Well all I can say is that someone is going to get a really nice kit to build a R69S Vintage bike from. The bike itself has never been down, scraped, repainted, or messed with except to have the engine removed and replaced with a R60 rebuild from Amol Percision. Not only that it has so many new parts, all factory, that the finishing out of the total project should go quickly. New factory exhaust, mufflers, air tubes, wheels, spokes, hubcaps, air cleaner holder, carbs, ect. ect.

Thanks for the tip on the crank. I paid almost 1000. for it and was told at the time that it was the last R69S crank they could get........and that was 26 years ago. I am going to price the whole kit out and perhaps someone here will want it. Black bike, small two person seat, twin running lights, all new switches. ect.

[VBMWMO]

Hello. I have had a 1965 R69S here at the shop since 1977 and it looks as if I will never get around to it. Back then I bought some nice parts for it that I never used. I have asked around and no one seems to know the value of the bike now days or the parts. May I ask here?

Of special interest to me is the crank because I would think these are hard to find. I have a new, still in the factory cosmoline, crank with its rods and rollers and I would like to know what I should ask for it. I paid 945. for it in 1978.........has the value gone up or down. Its for a R69S.

And the bike itself. Original, but with a fresh (in 1980) Amol reworked R60 engine in it, instead of the original R69S engine which I always intended to rebuild. How much for a bike like that, ball park figure.

I am along in years and have other interest. Thanks for the candid comments and they will help guide me in selling this stuff. I have a lot of new parts for the engine and bike. Should I sell it all as a kit or part it out to get more money? TIA