As the centenary of BMW as a motorcycle manufacturer approaches in 2023, there couldn’t really be a better time to become a BMW owner, and the R69S, built from 1960 to 1969, represents one of the Bavarian marque’s best efforts.

Featuring all the well-known hallmarks of classic BMWs, namely a transverse flat-twin engine, wet sump lubrication and shaft-drive, the R69 was launched in 1955. Restricted to making only 250cc bikes in the immediate post-war years, production of the famous twins was resumed in 1950 and gradually refined to become the R69.

It was intended to be quite a sporty bike, and the R69S which took over from the R69 was sportier still, with its compression ratio increased from 7.5 to one to 9.5 to one. It was indisputably a very fast bike, with a top speed of 109 m.p.h. made possible by its 42 b.h.p. engine, but it isn’t outright speed for which BMWs are best remembered. Rather, we tend to associate them most of all with sophistication and refinement, such that they might be the motorcycle of choice for riders looking to cross a continent, and to that end the R69S was typical.

The June 1962 issue of Cycle World, after conducting a road test, told readers: “Ask any motorcyclist what he considers to be the two-wheeled equivalent of Rolls-Royce and you will almost certainly be told ‘BMW’. Actually, the BMW motorcycle is more like the Mercedes than the Rolls-Royce: conservative in many respects, but quite advanced nonetheless… It is the smoothest, best finished, quietest and cleanest motorcycle it has ever been our pleasure to ride. The R69S is fast enough to handle any encounter and it has attributes that are, in touring, infinitely more valuable than mere speed. If we were planning a two-wheel vacation/tour, the BMW would have to be our choice of mount.”

This was a very original, low-mileage motorcycle when it was imported from California by renowned motoring historian and Jaguar Cars archivist Anders Clausager. Mr. Clausager found very few opportunities to ride the bike during 25 years of ownership, so in 2016 he sold it to the vendor, another well-known figure in the classic Jaguar world.

The vendor had every intention of using the BMW until he discovered the engine oil-slingers require periodic attention, a job which involves removing the engine from the frame. Since he knew this would be quite a time-consuming and laborious undertaking, he decided that the best use of his time would be to subject the bike to a total restoration while it was apart.

Sourcing parts from Bob Porecha, the respected classic BMW specialist in Sydenham, south London, the vendor then entrusted the restoration to a former college motorcycle engineering lecturer. The restorer was completely thorough in his work, which included a full engine rebuild and installation of a new wiring harness. The gearbox was known to be excellent so was left alone. The speedometer was sent to Germany to be overhauled and CL Classics prepared and refinished the frame and metalwork in black, while also applying the white pinstripes.

When the bike came apart, it was noted that there was no evidence of rust or any damage whatsoever. Porecha supplied the excellent-condition original ‘dimple’ wheel rims, which were rechromed and fitted with stainless steel spokes by Anglia Wheels.

Unfortunately, following the restoration, a house move and muscle injury have prevented the vendor from enjoying the BMW as he would have liked to, so it has been presented to classic motorcycle specialist Angus Buchanan for inspection. He concluded that it was an excellent example, but since then it has not been used and would benefit from an owner who has the time to blow the cobwebs off it.

Besides its current V5, the bike also comes with extensive invoices detailing its restoration, plus the correct Repair Manual, Handbook, Auxiliary Catalogue and microfiche.

Following its restoration, the BMW really is in the loveliest condition, with superb paint and brightwork. The jet black paint is very difficult to find fault with and all the chrome is outstanding. It should be, of course, because everything was rechromed during the restoration with the exception of the exhaust silencers, which were in such good condition anyway that there was no need to touch them. In such a condition as this, it is both eminently useable and worthy of some accolades on the show field.

The seat is an American-specification item in excellent condition, with no marks or tears, and the vendor assures us it is very comfortable, which is just what you want if you’ve got long-distance touring in mind.

Speaking of long-distance touring, the BMW also comes with a nicely-painted set of Wixom panniers and top box, which are very simple to affix should you feel so inclined.

Although we have not seen the bike run, we are advised that it is in very good health, just as you would expect a machine which has seen little use following a recent mechanical rebuild to be. Certainly, it all looks very good, since the engine was cosmetically refreshed when it was rebuilt. Now that it’s so clean, it scarcely looks like a 58-year-old unit. 

Before-and-after photographs of the once-tired air cleaner housing give an indication of what a difference the renovation has made. The housing was repainted in the correct silver, and the vendor went to pains to source an appropriate decal for it from Italy.

Now that it’s back together, the vendor praises the ease with which it starts, and says “the engine contentedly ticks over.”

The rest of the bike was not neglected during the restoration. New wheel bearings were fitted and the brake shoes and tyres were replaced.

Generally, whenever you invest in something, you expect quality. It’s true of everything, motorcycles included, and some motorcycle buyers invariably end up disappointed. Why? Because they didn’t buy a BMW. High-quality construction and engineering comes so naturally to BMW that we’re not sure it could disappoint even if it wanted to, and the R69S might reasonably be considered the best mass-market motorcycle of the 1960s.

Many people consider it to be the ultimate classic BMW and it makes for an interesting (and possibly more reliable) alternative to its British counterparts. The vendor found out for himself just how popular the R69S is with enthusiasts when he exhibited it at the Stafford Classic Bike Show with his BMW club. Certainly, they’re not the sort of bike you come across at every show.

With genuine low mileage and a very thorough restoration in the recent past, this is a rare opportunity to acquire what must be one of the finest R69s in this country.