Please excuse any ignorance off the bat as I have always liked r60/2s and r69s but have never gone down the rabbit hole so to speak. However, one has popped up in my area for sale at a seemingly reasonable price, but as my knowledge is limited I'm trying to do my research and figured this forum would be a good resource. Trying to figure the value as it sits, potential value as well as potential issues to gauge what I am getting myself into. Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Details are as follows,
1969 R69S asking $4,000 obo
- has not run since 1988 but still spins and is free according to seller
- US spec forks, non earles
- matching numbers on frame, motor and headset plate
- reported to be a complete bike, no dents or rust
- 32,638 miles
There is easily $4k worth of parts sitting there, and is a pretty darn reasonable price for a complete R69S. In a worst case, you'll have to go through the motor, trans and final drive to turn the bike into a rider. Maybe you won't have to do that, depending on the condition of those pieces. But, from those photos, I don't think you would lose out buying it as seen.
Thats encouraging to hear, I know its impossible to say, but are there any issues specific to these bikes/motors that you'd be more likely to take a stab at first for getting it running again out side of the universal fuel and spark.
So last time it ran was 1988? Looks like the last registration was 1978/1979. Hmmm....
I agree it's easily worth the $4K, so you might not lose in the end if you decide to resell it. Some custom things such as seats. Nice add-on with the guard around the rear tail light.
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
“BE READY TO REBUILD THE WHOLE GODDAM THING” that’s the advice I give to anyone buying these. Fortunately I am able to do most of my own work, however if you are not, then be ready to budget easily 10-15k to restore if not more. I just finished my 58 R69 that fortunately had decent paint that polished up nicely, so no bodywork cost. The parts alone came up over 8K, that is exhaust / crank / bearings / etc. Some of that was spent getting “correct” parts … so your experience may vary. Shop around, there are various rebuilders for your engine/trans/final drive ,etc., but with that being said, you have to still put it together and set it up/ tune the ignition and carbs, etc., this ALL takes good mechanical aptitude, and if you do not possess this, then sending out the whole bike for resto will be $35-45k …. These little ladies can be expen$ive. It’s all about how much you can do yourself, what your goals are (full museum resto , decent rider, patina, etc.) whatever route you go, the mechanicals will need to be addressed and the quality/ reliability will be up to your budget and skill set. Good luck!! Here are some mechanical resto pics from my 58 R69 that is currently being broken in. It’s my 5th bike I have rebuilt and I enjoy it. Buy the Barrington manual and make a game plan. The good point is that it is a R69S which gives it a little more cachet/ value, but the US fork will make it a little less valuable in the end, but I think that may change one day.
Buy it and educate yourself on how to repair and maintain or if needed restore the bike. The R 69US is a very rare, end of the /2 and limited production model. I think in '69 there were about 1500 made and dedicated to the US market. They don't exist in Europe, just in the USA. $4,000 is a deal you should not pass up unless you are not willing to learn about the bike and take the very basic steps to preserve it or if needed restore it.
It looks like it has a Corbin solo seat and a recovered passenger bread loaf seat. It probably had some sort of fairing on it due to the headlight lens being gone. It looks to be very complete and if the title VIN matches the frame tag. frame and engine block it is a great value at $4000 even if you just resell it.
Don't be scared away by the slinger nightmare, just learn how to get in there and fix it yourself.
Have you seen this one in person? These days the scams are more prevalent than actual offerings. For your sake I hope it’s real but i haven’t seen a complete anything for that cheap in a long while.
Nice motorcycle!
I'd drain the motor oil, refill, and ride the bike (daytime, no headlamp!) You don't need a battery. Put 20-30 miles on it, see if you like old BMW...then, follow the very good advice given above about costs/effort to restore it?
Please don't even consider to part such a nice machine out; you'll make a nice profit if you decide to just flip it as is.
The bike was owned by an enthusiast who placed the low European bars and who wanted a "solo" seat. Solo seats only became easily available in around 1983-5: "Steiger" brand. Before then, in 77-78 you would have had to use what you have on it now...
Have you seen this one in person? These days the scams are more prevalent than actual offerings. For your sake I hope it’s real but i haven’t seen a complete anything for that cheap in a long while.
If it all adds up go get it.
Agree. An R69 came up allegedly in my area and when I made inquiries, the seller went dark. If it looks too good to be true, it usually is. If it is legit, jump on it.
