1958 BMW R-Series

359161

Clear

This matching number 1958 BMW R26 (VIN 359161 and its stablemate, the matching number 1966 BMW R27 (VIN 383720), were purchased for the sole purpose of developing text and serving as photography models for the recently published The Barrington Motor Works BMW R26-27 Motorcycle Restoration and Service Manual. It is our practice when creating one of our restoration and service manuals to write the text on the house office computer, placing necessary photographic captions within the text as we do so. We then print and notebook the text to take it to the shop and use our own book to “tell us how to do the job”. As we do the job guided by our own text, we have the opportunity to confirm the flow and clarity of our text while, at the same time, taking the necessary photographs. As we do so, we commonly take additional photos as we do our work to illustrate to the future readers of our manuals how we do the job. While in the shop, we work at the shop computer to format and caption photographs as we do our work. During the restoration project and its photographic and textual record, this BMW R26 was disassembled down to every single nut, bolt and washer. The restoration of this BMW R26 and its R27 stablemate is discussed and illustrated at length in The Barrington Motor Works BMW R26-27 Motorcycle Restoration and Service Manual. The frame, forks, both swingarms, centerstand and miscellaneous bracketry were checked for damage, and when none was found, sponge blasted and powdercoated in black with 80% gloss. The fuel tank and both fenders were painted in full gloss black with a light clear coat for protection and then hand striped over the clear coat in the correct traditional pattern. The wheel hubs were bead blasted and fitted with new wheel bearings and modern lip seals. The wheel rims were straightened as necessary and machine polished after which the rims were laced to the refinished hubs with Buchanan Spoke and Rim stainless steel spokes. Heidenau tires in the correct 3.25 x 18” size were mounted with natural rubber Heidenau inner tubes and balanced. The brake shoes were relined with fresh linings and the brakes rebuilt. The final drive case was bead blasted and the 25/6 final drive was fully rebuilt with new FAG bearings and lip seals as needed. The transmission went through a similar process as the final drive with bead blasting of the case and a complete rebuild with all new FAG bearings and seals. A lightened and balanced flywheel was installed with a new clutch disc. New Timken bearings and lip seals were installed in both swingarms. New MCI tapered roller bearings were installed in the steering head and the frame then assembled into a roller. The crankshaft was rebuild with new rollers after checking the connecting rod for twist and alignment and fitting a new wristpin bushing. Before its final assembly, the crankshaft and piston assembly were dynamically balanced to a 55% balance factor. The engine case was reassembled with all new bearings and a new timing chain and tensioner. After powdercoating the cylinder in semi-gloss black, the cylinder was bored to fit a new Kolbenschmidt piston with rings. The cylinder head was bead blasted and rebuilt with new valve seats, guides and springs. The original generator armature/rotor and field were examined, cleaned, tested and installed with new ignition points and condenser. The ignition advancer was disassembled, cleaned and reassembled with new return springs. The 1/26/55 carburetor was disassembled, cleaned and reassembled with new jets and needles as needed. A Bench Mark Works 7g plastic float was installed. Following reassembly, the carburetor was installed with a new base gasket. A new German chrome header and muffler are installed. A new replacement wiring harness and Yuasa 6N 11A-1B battery was installed. The positive lead was fitted with an inline 15A fuse near the battery. The sidecar/accessory socket was connected directly through a 1A fuse to the battery to ease maintenance battery charging. A maintenance charger is included with the motorcycle and fitted with a male plug fitting the sidecar/accessory socket. The motorcycle was assembled with stainless steel fasteners throughout to ease future maintenance. Wherever hidden, oversized washers and Nylock nut were installed to distribute forces and prevent lost fasteners. As discussed in the recently published manual, the hand controls were updated to BMW R27 hand controls to provide an integral left hand mirror mount and signal switch with bar end signals. Originally, BMW R26 machines were not equipped with an integral mirror mount or provision for a signal switch. A 6V halogen 35/35W headlight and LED tail light are installed for safety. The speedometer was restored by North Hollywood Speedo in California and the odometer reset to zero, reflecting the rebirth of the machine. Following the initial startup and cooling, the cylinder head was retorqued and the valves readjusted. The ignition timing has been set correctly, the carburetor adjusted and correct battery charging confirmed. The motorcycle has been subjected to a 97 mile checkout ride during which no faults were revealed. The balanced crankshaft/piston assembly and lightened and balanced flywheel are a delight. After the checkout riding, the cylinder head was retorqued one last time and the valves again readjusted. The engine oil was drained when hot and replaced with Chevron Delo 400 SAE 40 motor oil and the transmission and final drive levels checked. This lovely 1958 BMW R26 will be sold with the signed and dedicated copy number 26 of The Barrington Motor Works BMW R26-27 Motorcycle Restoration and Service Manual.Because this motorcycle is advertised for sale elsewhere it may be necessary to end this auction early. We reserve the right to end the listing if the vehicle is no longer available for sale.