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Administrator · 07-11-2008, 11:20 AM

Original Article:
BMW Motorcycle History

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mscuddy · 07-11-2008, 12:38 PM

Ah yes, the "Readers Digest" condensed history of BMW. Some pictures would have been nice...'specially the wartime models. Beats a poke in the eye with a sharpened drive shaft I guess...

Kenneth_Moore · 07-11-2008, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mscuddy

Ah yes, the "Readers Digest" condensed history of BMW. Some pictures would have been nice...'specially the wartime models. Beats a poke in the eye with a sharpened drive shaft I guess...

I keep thinking of: "History of the World Part I." "It's good to be the King!"

krapschloss · 03-10-2010, 12:54 PM

You are dead wrong about 'mainbearing problems' on this bike (also, the R50/2 was introduced about five years later, not in '49).I had an R51/2 in the mid sixties, and when I traded it on an a new R60, it had over 70,000 miles on it.No main bearing problems, ever.I am currently putting together an R 51/2 basket case of unknown mileage, but it has to be well over 150,000. The original drive end mainbearing was still useable, the front not so, but what the hell.All in all, the R 51/2 is an exceptionally long running and reliable bike, in my experience. It had twin cams, which makes it interesting, and a good candidate for vintage racing too.

mscuddy · 03-10-2010, 02:29 PM

But what about the '38 500cc supercharged racing machines that used the "phancooken" pistons and the variable wet/dry timer? They had twin-cams and were nortorious for ruining main bearings, until the "phancookens" were replaced by "Phartzkuggers". Completely solved the issue.

seruzawa · 03-10-2010, 04:02 PM

Nothing about the secret commies in the sidestand development team who attempted to take down western civilzation?

sarnali2 · 03-11-2010, 07:26 AM

When I was a Beemerphile in the late 80's/ early 90's I bought this book called "BMW Motorrader Typen und Technik" detailing the different models with photo's and engineering drawings, of course it was all in Jeeman but still makes an interesting coffee table book. Right next to Roland Brown's "Superbikes of the Seventies"

07-11-2008, 11:20 AM	#1
Administrator Administrator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: On My Bike Posts: 0	BMW Motorcycle History Original Article: BMW Motorcycle History Please discuss the Motorcycle.com article BMW Motorcycle History in our Motorcycle Forums below. Use the reply button to let others know your comments or feedback on the article. Constructive criticism is always appreciated, along with your thoughts and personal opinions on the bikes and products we have tested. Last edited by sachiwilson : 07-11-2008 at 11:57 AM.

07-11-2008, 12:38 PM	#2
mscuddy MODERATOR X Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Next to my still checkin the temp. Posts: 5,447	Ah yes, the "Readers Digest" condensed history of BMW. Some pictures would have been nice...'specially the wartime models. Beats a poke in the eye with a sharpened drive shaft I guess... __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.

03-10-2010, 12:54 PM	#4
krapschloss Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 1	About 1949 R 51/2 You are dead wrong about 'mainbearing problems' on this bike (also, the R50/2 was introduced about five years later, not in '49).I had an R51/2 in the mid sixties, and when I traded it on an a new R60, it had over 70,000 miles on it.No main bearing problems, ever.I am currently putting together an R 51/2 basket case of unknown mileage, but it has to be well over 150,000. The original drive end mainbearing was still useable, the front not so, but what the hell.All in all, the R 51/2 is an exceptionally long running and reliable bike, in my experience. It had twin cams, which makes it interesting, and a good candidate for vintage racing too.

03-10-2010, 02:29 PM	#5
mscuddy MODERATOR X Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Next to my still checkin the temp. Posts: 5,447	But what about the '38 500cc supercharged racing machines that used the "phancooken" pistons and the variable wet/dry timer? They had twin-cams and were nortorious for ruining main bearings, until the "phancookens" were replaced by "Phartzkuggers". Completely solved the issue. __________________ A gun is a tool, Marian; no better or no worse than any other tool: an axe, a shovel or anything. A gun is as good or as bad as the man using it. Remember that.

03-10-2010, 04:02 PM	#6
seruzawa The Toad Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: 8501 ft. Posts: 17,393	Nothing about the secret commies in the sidestand development team who attempted to take down western civilzation? __________________ http://www.badmovies.org/movies/deadalive/ I kick @ss for the Lord!

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03-11-2010, 07:26 AM	#7
sarnali2 Aging Cafe` Racer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sittin' down by my window, lookin' at the rain. Posts: 8,639	When I was a Beemerphile in the late 80's/ early 90's I bought this book called "BMW Motorrader Typen und Technik" detailing the different models with photo's and engineering drawings, of course it was all in Jeeman but still makes an interesting coffee table book. Right next to Roland Brown's "Superbikes of the Seventies" __________________ "Carpe` Throttelum -Loud Suits Save Lives" "Denser alloy. My Father gave it to me, I think he wants me to kill you"... CVF-FCV