Vintage BMW Motorcycle Owners

Hi - I just got a 59 R50 and I am wondering if the bar end turn signals came on this model/year. I'd like to add them, but want to make sure they are period correct. Thanks!

Welcome to the forum! I would say not on the 1959 models but await other input. The 1959 and 1960 BMW brochures don't show any models with bar end signals. The 1961 brochure does show bar end signals. A BMW service bulletin titled "Subsequent installation of a turn signal...into single and twin cylinder motorcycles" came out in October 1962. The word "subsequent" is telling to me. So my assumption would be that in the 1961 and 1962, they were period correct.

Hi and welcome as well. I applaud your desire to keep it stock but if its going to be ridden at all, I'd lean on the side of safety.

You could always do a set of bolt-on aftermarket lights - completely un-doable if it turns out Steve McQueen owned it or you were showing the bike somewhere and wanted it to be period-right.

In the same spirit, I did a 3rd brake light bar in my vintage Airstream - it flips down inside the back window from a curtain valence like a car's sun visor for towing but folds up completely out of view.

Cars didn't have seatbelts either and that's turned out to be a pretty good idea. Just my $0.02

You can add them without much fuss, and can always put it back to original. I have a R 50/2 with 2,300 original miles on it and I wanted turn signals but did not want to hack anything up. Following is what I purchased to make it happen.

I used this switch so I did not need to cut or drill anything, it bolts to the handlebars: https://bmwclassicmotorcycles.com/index ... using.html

Then all you need is the turn signals https://bmwclassicmotorcycles.com/index ... using.html

Two bulbs: https://bmwclassicmotorcycles.com/index ... v-18w.html

A blinker relay: https://bmwclassicmotorcycles.com/index ... 2x21w.html

Try this wire, I made my own but this one should work. Ask who you buy it from if it will work with the switch above: https://bmwclassicmotorcycles.com/index ... -8-cm.html

And if you want new grips get the ones with holes a the ends, if not then just make a hole in the end of your existing grips: https://bmwclassicmotorcycles.com/index ... 2722072177 and https://bmwclassicmotorcycles.com/index ... 2722072195

Wiring instructions are found in our library: https://vintagebmw.org/library_data/192.pdf and http://www.benchmarkworks.com/articles/ ... ignal.html.

Good luck with it!

Wow! Thanks so much for all the great advice. I like the look of the turn signals, and it's definitely safer. If they can be "undone" easily seems like a no brainer.

motorcycles didn't need mandatory signals until 72 or 73.

They were optional items to be added on during the ordering process.

I looked at adding them to my 59 R69 during the resto but I didn't have the proper switch on the handle bar.

If I had known about the way jwonder did it I would've likely added them.

I ended up putting the rearview mirror bar end style on them. At some point I may change up since I do think they look kind of cool.

I was driving around thinking to myself about it the other day that most younger folks can't even drive a manual transmission, do they know what hand signals really mean?

I installed them on my 62 R50/2 and they look great and alot safer. If it is a regular ride i would do it.

They were never 'standard' on any Earles bike, but are period-correct add-ons. I put them on my '59 R50 since I ride it quite a bit. If you use the correct switch and all, you'll have over $400 in parts to do it, but It's worth it. Most fiddly part might be drilling your bars for the wires, if they do not already have the center hole. You will also have to notch the bar ends to fit the signals to them.

Dave