1955 BMW R-Series

557372

Clear

1955 BMW R 50 Vin# 557372 Matching #'s...Engine...Frame...Steering badge... This bike was owned by a very close family member who was forced to stop riding due to the relentless aging process, complicated by increasing health issues. Since his subsequent passing, we have been, very slowly, placing the contents of his shop back into circulation for the benefit of his widow. We may not have all of the answers, but we will do what we are able, to encapsulate our reflections and observations to the best of our ability. That having been said..............The DOWNSIDE of things as we see them...This bike has not been run in 3 or so years, and has not been ridden regularly in 10 years. I can remember it running pretty well back in the day, but when it was run last, it had developed a "knock" in the transmission, and it has not been run since, so please, stand advised..... So...The red/green running lenses are a bit faded and dingy... The switch leg for the bar end turn signals is a bit loose and somewhat clumsy... The locking gas cap "lock" is stiff and troublesome, but it has a tight seal and works fine as a regular unlocked gas cap... I believe that the chrome air tubes, although in good shape, are from a different year and model, hence, incorrect... No battery... No tools... No owner manual... No shop rag... It has an unprofessional flat black repaint of the tail tight can... The tail light lens, although intact, is cracked... The vehicle is 56 years old ...............The UPSIDE of things as we see them... Cosmetically, overall, it is in pretty good condition... The tank is clean and is dent free, save for a very low profile "quarter" sized wrinkle at the base, near the front of the saddle... Sheet metal is straight and clean, save for one smallish cut out in the front part of the left side of the rear fender, very near the battery... The paint is better than pretty good, but for a light patina of age and use... The head light bucket is without blemish... The chrome, overall, is better than pretty good, and is mostly very good, showing very little rust... The rims and spokes follow the overall condition of the chrome, and are certainly very serviceable... The tires have lots of tread, but are older... The pushrod tubes look newer as do the rubbers... The dual saddle is clean with no rips or tears... One piece crash bar... Bar end turn signals... Folding parcel rack... Winged header nuts... First year of the "Earles" leading link suspension... Electrical harness, switches, and all cables appear to be intact... Most importantly, the motor turns over freely, and when the kick starter is deployed, there seems to be plenty of compression... And as before, the vehicle is 56 years old....................This sale/auction goes forward AS IS - WHERE IS with no warranties or guarantees either expressed or implied... The shipping and/or transport will be the sole responsibility of the buyer... I will, however, be happy to assist in coordination and logistics..... For interested parties with a feedback score of two or less, please contact me prior to bidding to avoid bid cancellation..... Thanks for looking, and have a nice day.......................... On Oct-22-11 at 19:31:44 PDT, seller added the following information: So...An addendum is required at this time to clarify a question about the actual production date of Uncle George's R 50. It was called to my attention by a fellow enthusiast, that the production number of this unit, places it's birth in early 1957. The clear and unencumbered Ca. title shows it's year, quite clearly, as "1955"...The headstock plate reads, quite clearly, "baureihe 1955".........Evidently, baureihe translates as "model type" or "edition"............So... It is entirely possible to find headstock plates That are baureihe 1955, with baujahr (actual production date) of 1955, 1956, or 1957......The 1958, and later, production bikes do not use the "baureihe" term on the headstock plate........So...1955 on the title...1955 on the headstock plate...Everything matching........One would think "What more does one need?"...........It simply didn't occur to me to cross reference the VIN/production number with the BMW archive to confirm the production date...................The upshot of all of this, is that this R 50, is a 1957 R 50...Not a 1955................A mistake on the title, no doubt made by the state agency which issued it it's first American title......Please refer to the Q and A portion at the bottom of the listing for more info.........For this confusion, I offer an unequivocal mea culpa , and forward my sincerest apologies to anyone whose interest in this matter has been compromised by this revelation.......................