Two Motors, One Frame: 1952 BMW R67/2 Motorcycle
BMW Motorcycles has garnered a lot of press over the past few years with the introduction of the R18. This new motorcycle is a step back in time for the company, with styling that is a modern update of the classic BMW Boxer Twins of the fifties and sixties. While the size of the R18 is a bit hard to absorb, the black paint, white pinstripes, classic frame design, and the traditional BMW engine are hard to not like. However, if your tastes require an actual vintage BMW, then this 1952 BMW R67/2 is a stunning example of just how gorgeous these motorcycles were in their heyday. With an extra titled 1952 BMW R50 engine, this slightly modified motorcycle is just a few refurbishments away from being a near perfect original.
One of the positive attributes of BMW motorcycles is that they usually enjoy long production runs. In addition to preserving value, this practice also makes possible parts sharing for models of different years. That seems to be what happened to the R67/2 you see here, which was built on May 9, 1952. It was delivered in Wiesbaden, in what was then West Germany, but was built to US specs. The seller believes that it was purchased by an American who was temporarily in Germany. There is where the trail goes cold for a while.
It popped up again when both the motorcycle and an R50 engine were purchased as a pair on November 11, 1967. The engine was from a motorcycle that was originally delivered in Tokyo of all places. The seller believes that whoever owned the motorcycle originally purchased the R50 engine to switch out while they rebuilt the R67/2 engine. While a great plan, it never came about even after over 50 years. The motorcycle you see is still powered by the (almost impossible to distinguish from the original) later engine.
While this motorcycle looks great at a glance and starts, runs, and rides well, there are a few items to address. Whoever purchases it needs to break out the credit card for a new set of tires, restoration or replacement of the slightly rusty rims, and a few other trim pieces that are showing their age like the tank pads. Items like the set of British controls on the bike could also be replaced to get the motorcycle closer to its as-built configuration. It also has a brand-new wiring harness to go with its aging but still presentable paint and striping.
Whoever purchases this motorcycle will get two titles. One for the R67/2 and its engine and one for the R50 engine that currently rests in the motorcycle. The person that the seller purchased the motorcycle and spare engine from kept all of the paperwork for it, including the documentation from Scrambler Motorcycles in Burbank, California when the frame and both engines were purchased. While it might seem unusual for the engine to be the “motorcycle” in the eyes of the law, it is obvious that things were different back then. If any reader can explain all of this in greater detail in the comments, we would be in their debt.
Looking over the voluminous pictures and notes from the seller, it is hard to deny that this is one of the better ads we have seen on Barn Finds. Nothing has been left to interpretation, and the motorcycle does have a certain vintage appeal that is hard to deny. These vintage BMWs are good-running, highly respected motorcycles. It is no wonder that the company went back to its roots for design inspiration. Hopefully, it will go to someone who will ride this beautiful BMW often.
If you are the type that loves the challenge of getting a mostly original vintage motorcycle back in riding condition, then this 1952 BMW R67/2 motorcycle and spare R50 Boxer engine for sale on eBay in Boulder City, Nevada may be the bike for you. Complete with a wonderful patina and gobs of paperwork, this black BMW is currently sitting at a high bid of $10,000 with three days to go.
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Comments
When it comes to motorcycles, none are better than the BMW, and as a stout Harley/British fan, it’s tough to say that. Personally, I didn’t care for them. I rode a friends R90S that I didn’t care for. The opposed motor, combined with shaft drive quirks, I felt, led to unsafe handling. My 1st GW ( ’75) exhibited many of the same quirks, diminished some with my Interstate. I’m a chain guy, always have been, always will be. In the 50s, most all motorcycles were crude to ride, BMW was probably the nicest, even though we rarely, if ever saw them. Perhaps it was past memories of them painted green that kept them away. Today, BMW makes some incredibly awesome bikes, their dual sport models are top notch, and not much cruises better than the 1100 RT. A guy had one for sale at a local yard sale. I said, can I just sit on it? I could definitely see putting some miles on that machine, quirks sorted out long ago and I didn’t even start it!
This is for a brave person. It’s pretty conventional in operation, but we’ve come a long ways in BMWs, trust me. A group of vintage bikes came through my town last year, a guy with a BMW similar to this was having fuel issues, and they didn’t look like they were having fun. Those outings are usually accompanied by a chase van of sorts. I love motorcycles, most all motorcycles, it pains me to see folks on them, and may just throw enough caution to the wind to finally get that Limey or Z1, I mean, at almost 70, what a way to go. Probably settle for a “monkey” bike, however.
Your point about the “shaft jack” on an older shaft driven bike is what kept more than a few riders from switching over until folks like BMW and Honda got a handle on it. That and the dry car-type clutch made for a learning moment though IMHO well worth it, as this bike would be.
Jeff, Insofar as the separate title for the second engine you pointed out that was used as a VIN back in the day on cars and bikes. I remember seeing a detective roam the local swap meet, keenly eyeballing the guys selling older Harley stuff. I asked a friend about that and he said a local outlaw motorcycle gang would steal an HD, take it to their clubhouse, and as they stripped it would take the numbered side case off or try their hand at changing the numbers and selling the parts. This particular detective was a motorcycle rider that knew about HD’s and became the guy that got a lot of bikes back to their owners because he knew what to look for!
This is a nice bike, though probably not currently ridden much-it was 111* yesterday according to a friend living there.
PS
Howard-the new Bonnevilles are blast to ride-and they’re not the old Lucas Electrics!
Nice write-up HoA. I’m with you, these are cool but I wouldn’t want to own or ride one. As for the 1100 RT I totally agree. I had the pleasure of test driving one that was for sale at a bike shop in Sedona a couple of decades back. Compared to my Vulcan Classic 1500 it was a dream. Going through the curves SW of Sedona on 89a I looked looked down at the speedometer only to find that I was doing over 90, where the Kaw struggled at 60. As for the Z1, I say go for it. I had a ’75 900Z1 back in day when I worked at a bike shop in Denver and it was an incredible machine.. it handled well and was the fastest thing I’ve ever ridden. I’m 74 btw and I’m looking for another one at a price I can afford. That being said an older BMW is likely going to be my next highway cruiser. And that I can afford. :-)
I’ve always respected a beemer but never wanted to actually own one, unless it was built before 1970. They were always consistent and lasted well. A lot of people are convinced that these are highly superior to our American Iron but I’ve seen these drop valves and wipe out bottom ends. I read several articles that have said/corroborated that these boxer engines run the same crankpin temperatures as the average HD.
My cousin has at least 17 Beemers. He’s also got a Russian knock-off, a Dnipyr(?) that runs a side car. I saw the transmission out of one of those and the gears all looked like they gave a worker a block of steel, a file, a hand drill and a pattern. “Make a gear out of this.” I think they could’ve done better hiring the guys created by Johnny Hart.
However, the bike runs quite smoothly and it attracts a lot of attention.
As far as this bike is concerned, I would ride it and enjoy it, and I wouldn’t need to put a paper sack over my head to keep people from recognizing me.
I find it interesting that this bike uses typical telescoping forks instead of the traditional Earles Type. Nothing wrong with that; it just seems different…
Up until the mid-eighties, in much (but certainly not all) of what coasties sometimes call “flyover country”, BMW was only known to the general public as making bikes. When I bought a new three series in 1980, it was amazing the number of people who expressed total surprise my car even existed. But around here, motorcycles are nearly indigenous. For generations any local with a motorhead pulse has usually owned more than than one, including imports. I have a picture of my uncle sitting on his new knucklehead at my Grandmas home in Sturgis circa 1941 with snow in the background. He never owned a car and actually met his demise on the bike not long after while serving in the Air Corps in CA. His bike, like the one featured here and other bikes of the era, have a certain appeal to my vintage eyes that cannot be matched by modern iron. But the newer stuff is on another planet when it comes to everything else like power, reliability, and safety. On the interstate or in the big city, no way, but to putter down to Ace hardware in my little town, or go for a short ride up the canyon, give me a scooter like my uncle’s, or this ancient R-series, or an old Scout, even a Model U flathead, or any up to 1960’s 650 from the UK.
By the way, those massive R18’s are just over the top.
Up until the mid-eighties, in many (certainly not all) areas of this country, BMW was only known to the general public as making bikes. When I bought a new three series in 1980, it was amazing the number of people who expressed total surprise my car even existed. But around here, motorcycles are nearly indigenous. For generations any local with a motorhead pulse has usually owned more than than one, including imports. I have a picture of my uncle sitting on his new Harley EL at my Grandmas home in Sturgis circa 1941 with snow in the background. He never owned a car and actually met his demise on the bike not long after while serving in the Air Corps in CA. His bike, like the one featured here and other bikes of the era, have a certain appeal to my vintage eyes that cannot be matched by modern iron. Obviously, the new stuff is on another planet when it comes to everything else like power, reliability, and safety. On the interstate or in the big city, no way, but to putter down to Ace hardware in my little town, or go for a short ride up the canyon, give me a scooter like my uncle’s, or something lighter like this R-series, or an old Scout, even a Model U flathead, or any up to 1960’s 650 from the UK.
By the way, those massive R18’s are just over the top.
I rode a couple of /2 bikes years ago. They belonged to my parents. At 6’1, I was definitely too big. Otherwise, they were easy to start, had enough power, and provided a smooth, relaxing ride.
Except three downsides:
Brakes!
Brakes!
Brakes!
You really had to ride extra defensively just in case someone was going to stop suddenly. EVERYTHING could out brake you.
I was once riding with my step dad. He was on a more-modern ’84 R80. Out in the country, he braked, signaled and turned right. I braked, downshifted, blew past the corner, made a u-turn, and proceeded to chase him down!
Truly horrible brakes! 🤣
got some ‘classic’ cars here.
Now on display: a (The?) classic motorcycle.
Not surprised on the bid, current pricing.
Will go higher if auction~