R51/3 The Very Best

Darryl.Richman · Post by **Darryl.Richman** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:40 pm

hmmmmmmmm......... I've read and been told from others the alloys could be had factory on any of the twins from 54 on

suits me if that isn't actually the case......... I have a bunch of them
Roland Slabon agrees with you. He says that alloy rims could be had on any model bike beginning in 1953.

EuroIron · Post by **EuroIron** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:44 pm

be nice if he was incorrect

I think I'd cash out all the R68 stuff I have along with the wheels

do you know who makes the alloy rims found on the Zundapp sport models?

They are different than the alloys found on BMW's

Darryl, the R66 went to Thailand. I thought it was going to stay in the USA but three in a row wilted like daisies and couldn't even pony up a reasonable trade. I get along very well with Mr Boon and his broker.

jeff dean · Post by **jeff dean** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 8:59 pm

Ya got me on the air cleaner, Jeff! Actually, the air cleaner on my R60/2 is chromed, too. Both done by over enthusiastic previous owners. I didn't see the need to undo their hard work, at least in this matter. Maybe a painted housing will drop from the skies into my hands...

Don't feel badly. One of my slash-2s also has "chrome cancer" -- below, left:

Above left: I was able to obtain a correct housing for my R68 (which has other problems).

Darryl.Richman · Post by **Darryl.Richman** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:18 pm

Don't feel badly. One of my slash-2s also has "chrome cancer"
Don't worry, it doesn't bother me a bit. In fact, it's not high on my list that anybody's bikes, and my own included, be correct in all details. For me, the joy is to be able to ride these bikes that are in a condition similar to when they left the factory. It's an insight into the times they were built, a way to appreciate the people who rode them when they were new.

Don't let me forget to tell you how nice all those bikes look! It must be a joy to take them out for nice ride!

jeff dean · Post by **jeff dean** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 9:25 pm

Don't let me forget to tell you how nice all those bikes look! It must be a joy to take them out for nice ride!

I feel like I am 27 years old when I ride them. Each is a magic carpet.

I just installed Vech's tapered steering head bearings in the Dover white bike. What a difference that made!

I have a 2007 R1200RT, which is a fabulous motorcycle; perhaps one of the finest ever made. But when the weather is warm and the day is beautiful, nothing beats a 40-year-old, underpowered, poorly suspended, marginally braked slash-2 for the sheer joy of motorcycling!

EuroIron · Post by **EuroIron** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:25 am

how so other than much simpler reassembly?

were your balls and races worn out, dented or brinelled?

anything beside the dust cover not off the shelf in that conversion kit?

jeff dean · Post by **jeff dean** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 9:32 am

how so other than much simpler reassembly?

were your original bearing's balls and races worn out, dented or brinelled?

anything beside the dust cover not off the shelf in that conversion kit?

The white R60/2 would "hunt" at 30-35 MPH regardless of adjustment -- the classic warning of bad original bearings. I also felt a detent when turning the front wheel with weight off of it.

It is not so much as a "kit" as just a new set of bearings. I reused the original dust cover.

After installing tapered bearings, all symptoms were gone and the bike now rides beautifully.

jeff dean · Post by **jeff dean** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:44 pm

Tim's bikes are, of course, pretty much the gold standard. But he also has a /2 headlight bucket on this bike.

Darryl,

I am not sure you are correct about the headlight bucket on Tim's R51/3 restoration being incorrect. Here is my 1952 R51/3 (April 29, 1952), which is undergoing restoration as we keyboard. In 1952 the sliding plastic cap was being used:

You need to look under the bucket to see if it has the large "dent" on the bottom rear. The one above does. You cannot see in the photo of Tim's restoration whether the dent is there.

Ergo, if I am correct, Tim's headlight bucket may indeed be correct. Frankly, I would be very surprised if Tim used an incorrect part that obvious.

Darryl.Richman · Post by **Darryl.Richman** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 3:23 pm

Well, this is very confusing indeed!

My '53 model came with the older style headlight shell. While studying how to paint and finish my bike, I checked for pictures out at the BMW Archives. Unfortunately, the photos there don't necessarily have dates.

Here's a photo that I take to be of a 1953 model, as it has the rubber gaiters but also the swallow tail mufflers and half width hubs:

[img]http://darryl.crafty-fox.com/mcpics/r51 ... 0_m[1].jpg[/img]

It's pretty clear that it has the older form bucket; no chrome or plastic cover and the presence of the generator light are visible.

EuroIron · Post by **EuroIron** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 3:29 pm

my understanding is that the under dented bucket is correct for 54 and later

maybe to about 59?

and that one for a 50-53 doesn't use the red/green indicator

just a single green

on the tapers......... I guess I read it was a kit

I just looked up the physical constaints and bought off the shelf bearings really cheap

would have been dirt cheap too had I been willing to accept Chinese