Description
National Motorcycle Museum | Solihull, West Midlands
26th Mar, 2025 9:00
1969 BMW R69
Rare US market model
Estimate
£6, 000 - £7, 000
Registration No: GRW 69G
Frame No: 665881
MOT: Exempt
A rare BMW R69 US in the UK
Restored and magazine featured
Fully UK registered by a BMW expert
Running very well
It comes complete with a current V5C
BMW introduced the range-leading R69 in 1955 to universal praise. The new machine was able to approach the best of the British twins in terms of outright performance with the 594cc horizontally opposed overhead valve engine delivering 35 bhp at 6, 800rpm, sufficient to propel the machine to 102 mph, but more importantly, was able to sustain its pace almost indefinitely. Earles forks and a new pivoted fork frame ensured that the rider remained comfortable and was able to exploit the performance offered by the new mount to the full, quickly establishing it as a favourite with long distance riders. 1960 witnessed the release of an improved version typed the R69S which developed more BHP (42 at 7, 000rpm) without compromising the machine's outstanding reliability. The USA market iteration was typed as the R69 US. Cycle World concluded their June 1962 road test of the BMW R69S in the following manner:
"Whatever the BMW's merits in a contest of speed, it is still the smoothest, best finished, quietest and cleanest motorcycle it has ever been our pleasure to ride. To be honest, we think that anyone who would worry much over its performance-potential is a bit of a booby. The R69S is fast enough to handle any encounter, and it has attributes that are, in touring, infinitely more valuable than mere speed. All things considered, if we were planning a two-wheel style vacation/ tour, the BMW would have to be our choice of mount."
Believed to have been imported into the UK from the USA in the 1980s, lying unused and stored until 2000/ 2001 before being repainted from Dover White to Chamonix White, carried out other renovation work, made roadworthy and registered for the first time in the UK. It was mistakenly declared to have been manufactured in 1968 on an ‘F’. Unfortunately, the paperwork being lost at this time. The father of the current owner, however, managed to gain confirmation from the BMW archives in Munich that it was built in late 1969, so it now wears a ‘G’ plate. Over the years the bike appears to have had little use, for instance, records to hand indicate that between 2009 and 2021 just 205 miles were covered. In 2019, it made a short outing to an MOT station resulting in a pass.
The seller is unable to guarantee the '7, 699' displayed as the total mileage covered. Due to the bike's history of very long periods of standing, together with only very occasional minimal use, the seller advises recommissioning work. The bike offers a wonderfully worthwhile project to someone who would enjoy rejuvenating it and for their efforts see before them a truly exceptional, highly desirable and enjoyable machine.
