1938 BMW R-Series

508284

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BMW R51 1938 matching number barn find! This bike was a barn find discovered in July 2017 near the small town of Paso de los Toros, Uruguay.FULL STORY AND DISCOVERY OF THE BIKE IN OUR FACEBOOK PAGE "RETROMOTORTEILE"ATTENTION !!! This is a BARN FIND, MATCHING NUMBERS, 80 YEARS OLD, PRE WAR FEW UNITS PRODUCED WORLDWIDE BMW MOTORCYCLE, RIDICULOUS OFFERS WILL BE CANCELED IMMEDIATELY Paso de los Toros History: The city is located on the north bank of Río Negro and on Route 5, about 140 kilometres (87 mi) south-southwest of Tacuarembó, the capital of the department, and about 66 kilometres (41 mi) north of Durazno, the capital of Durazno Department and 250 (156 mi) kilometers from Uruguayan capital city Montevideo BMW R51 discovery and research: Several months ago we published a completely restored BMW R5 1937, this bike was sold to the UK. After this a guy phoned us because he saw our telephone on ebay listing and argued that he owns a completely original BMW R51 from 1938 stored near the city of Paso de los Toros Uruguay for more than 25 years, immediately we asked engine / chassis numbers and pictures from the bike. Several days after this call, he sent us pictures and engine (504062) / chassis (508284) numbers, immediately we sent this number to BMW group archive Germany and what we discovered was awesome: Dear Mr Brum, Thank you for your email. The BMW R 51 frame No. 508284, engine No. 504062 was manufactured on August 22nd, 1938 and delivered on November 27th, 1938 to the BMW dealer Werner Hamburg. We hope this information is helpful for you. Yours sincerely, -- BMW Group Archiv, Sammlung, Classic Brand Management AK-50 Historischer Informationsdienst Moosacher Str. 66 80809 München Postanschrift: 80788 München Web: http://www.bmwgroup.com As an important remark to the matching number conclusion is that this bike arrived Uruguay by Werner Hamburg, well known dealer during that time for exporting BMW bikes to Uruguay. Immediately when we received this email we arrange a trip to Paso de los Toros to see and try to buy this bike. During the cold winter morning of 17/07/2017 at 9am we departure to Paso de los Toros, the owner of the bike told us that the bike was not in the town of Paso de los Toros, it was near the city (around 8km – 5mi) in a farm, I will try to explain the relationship of Uruguayan farms and BMW´s during country´s golden era, 1905-1945. Uruguay during 1905-1945 – The Golden Era: Uruguay (country) (Spanish República Oriental del Uruguay), republic in east central South America, second smallest country on the continent, bounded on the north by Brazil, on the east by Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by the Atlantic Ocean and the Río de la Plata, and on the west by Argentina. The Uruguay River forms the entire western boundary. The area of Uruguay is 176,215 sq km (68,037 sq mi). Montevideo is the country's capital, chief port, and economic center. Unlike most South American nations, Uruguay has a population that is largely of European origin, and no remaining indigenous people. They came chiefly from Spain, Italy, France and Germany, although after World War II (1939-1945) some immigrants arrived from eastern and central Europe. During 1905-1940 administrations marked a period of greatest progress. Uruguay initiated the social welfare system codified in the Uruguayan constitution. From then on, Uruguay's social programs, funded primarily by earnings of beef and wool in foreign markets, gave Uruguay the sobriquet "Switzerland of South America." Uruguay reached the peak of it economic prosperity thanks to WWI, WWII and the Korean War, when it reached the highest per capita income in Latin America. Uruguayan farmers supplied beef, wool and leather to the Allied armies. During this golden era mostly of the richest farmers import directly from Europe or USA very important motorcycles such as: BMW, Zundapp, Indian, Harley-Davidson, Henderson, Norton, Triumph, Ariel, Guzzi and several other rarities. BMW R51 1938 engine (504062) / chassis (508284): This bike have the engine number 504062 and chassis number is 508284. Cylinder heads are marked 504062, marked with original Bmw stamping and matching with engine block. Cylinders are both marked 504062 matching with engine block too. According to BMW archive: The BMW R 51 frame No. 508284, engine No. 504062 was manufactured on August 22nd, 1938 and delivered on November 27th, 1938 to the BMW dealer Werner Hamburg. Overall condition of the bike is exceptional and very original, this is one of the most original R51 we saw, and we can highlight the following details: Engine: All matching, cylinder heads covers are original ones marked 254, Rockers are original ones marked 254 with original valve springs, ignition front cover is original one too marked 254 too! Dynamo is Bosch with original clamp, upper support to frame is the original one too. Amal-Fischer original carburettors still installed (need rebuild, both lungs are missing and one of them is welded over the upper screw, air filter breather still installed and original. Gearbox: Perfect overall condition, gear shift lever is perfectly working and shift all gears, kick lever is working too and once you kick it gearbox moves lightly. Drive shaft output coupling included as well as clutch mechanisms. Drive shaft is included but have some minor modifications. Differential unit: 100% original and working. Chassis and accessories: There are some highlights of originality over here, frame is in really perfect mint condition, we can see original battery support in mint condition, and both fenders are original ones, front one till have the original license plate support, rear one is totally original with original tail section hinge (some rust over this fender end). Gasoline tank is original and it’s perfectly preserved, seems that in the past somebody tried to paint it because is still with red old primer, original fuel cock and Bmw emblems included, we can find only a minor modification in the gas tank cap hole and tool box door. Front head light is the original one with correct supports to font fork. Original Bosch horn installed, seat and seat mechanism is included, seat spring is missing, handlebar is not the original as well as one of the bar supports, the other is the original. Rear suspension is totally original and preserved. Front fork is perfectly original with correct covers and suspension bottles. Central stand is included but no installed. Cylinder head R.H marked 504062. Cylinder head L.H marked 504062. L.H cylinder marked 504062. R.H cylinder marked 504062. Original valve covers both marked 254 with BMW logo. Ignition cover marked 254 with BMW logo- Original valve springs and rockers all marked 245. Original Bosch Horn marked. Original front fender with original metal insert. Original Documentation: Original last documentation of the bike is dated 1991 (car and motorcycles documents in Uruguay are updated every 10 years, this is the last document update), this proves that bike was licenced in Canelones Department (100km from Montevideo capital city) before stored in Paso de los Toros city. Engine number is stamped in this documentation as well as last owner before the las owner named “Elisendo Martinez Alvarez”, we don´t know nothing about him. Original documentation showing original engine number 504062. Original documentation showing the name Elisendo Martinez Alvarez last owner who runs this bike. We can send more pictures, videos and information if required. SHIPPING
 
• We are selling this bike INCOTERM: "Ex-Works" - we can provide shipping and all paper works assistance.• If you don´t have a forwarder company we can provide one. 
PAYMENT 
• Credit Card - no charges
• Bank transfer (all charges have to be paid by the buyer) - we will provide bank details.
• Payment must be completed within 72Hs after the purchase.