I recently referenced the famous Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance book with a recent post on a Honda Gold Wing motorcycle. Ironically, this 1963 BMW R60/2 would have been a better fit for such a title as it was actually the model used by the narrator’s riding companions, John and Sylvia. That piece of trivia aside, this particular R60 is claimed to have been found in a chicken coop before being rescued and listed here on eBay. There’s just twelve hours left, so get in on the action soon if you’re so inclined.
Bidding has cleared $5K for this example, which is nicely preserved survivor based on the photos. The R60 was a big seller for BMW, with over 20,000 made. Still, to find one as original as this one is a treat and the seller notes it runs exceptionally well despite the many years of storage. On that last part: the reference to being found in a chicken coop is curious, because later in the listing the seller notes that the bike was “stored correctly”, which isn’t how we’d picture a chicken coop. However, the seller also references how clean the insides of the tank was, so perhaps he means it was properly prepped for being parked long-term.
And it must have been in a chicken coop with a roof, as the paint is too well preserved, along with still-decent chrome and very clear gauges. The R60 is known for its Earles fork design, which supposedly had a positive effect on curbing nose-diving under hard front-braking conditions. It was also noted to cope well with a sidecar attachment – and while those are uncommon the U.S., the Euro-spec models of the R60 came with built-in mounting points to accept a sidecar if so desired. Personally, I think an R60 with a sidecar looks downright wicked.
Interestingly, this R60 appears to have the Euro-spec “low” handlebars, which U.S. models were not equipped with. I’m sure this is an easy modification, and the seller notes it’s just one of the period goodies this bike is equipped with. Lots of recent maintenance has been performed as well, so the next owner is getting essentially a turnkey bike with some awesome patina already baked in. The carbs have been rebuilt, fluids changed, new fuel lines and spark plugs installed and lots of other must-do’s for roadworthiness. I’m not surprised to see the active bidding on it, and would like to own one myself someday.
This looks like a pretty good deal. Add a Stein sidecar (‘zeppelin style’, of course) and the BMW will happily take you and a passenger along at a relaxed 55-60 mph for hours.
@Beatnik. I think you mean Steib sidecar. I had one on my R60 and it was a magnificent sidecar.
Yes, Ken – damned autocorrect strikes again! LOL
I know the Steibs well, and the Earles fork on the BMW is ideal for a combo.
I really miss having a sidecar (it’s the fault of all those WWII movies that I used to watch on TV back in the 1950s-60s that I’ve owned ’em, previously), but space limitations are preventing me putting another one together at the moment.
I didn’t like these bikes at all, even though, it’s without a doubt, the finest engineered motorcycle, kind of the Mercedes Benz of motorcycles. I had a friend with a R90S. Sharp looking bike, but I hated driving it. Again, I was spoiled by my GoldWing. My GoldWing dusted it in a race, it handled funky, and uncomfortable riding position. Still, a cool bike here, just not for me.
I think it is more the BMW of Motorcycles. :-) MB is less of a product than a BMW over all quality wise. I have had 4 of each, the BMW’s were better cars. I do agree that the ride position is vastly different on these from a GW. They have a higher center of gravity and balance, Harleys are the same way. You can sit on a GW and rock it side to side with your knees and no hands and not worry it will fall over. Not with this or a Harley. Your going over.
It’s a motorcycle but it’s as beautiful and classic as a piece of sculpture.
Like all vehicles, it doesn’t do everything right, these old airheads were built to last. Not fast, but got you there every time and on time. I don’t think they were built for speed, it just wasn’t the point of the germans. I helped my buddy rebuild a 1958 R50/2. It was a pleasure. Yep, when I rode it for the first time when we were done, it was funky! But cool. My favorite bike that I’ve owned out of maybe 50 or so was a 1976 Goldwing, stock. Perfect balance, sophisticated, powerful and gave you a secure feeling, not common in motorcycling. I sold it but kept my 1973 BMW R75/5 as my ‘ride for fun’ bike. All old BMW motorcycles should be saved. IMHO.
Goldwings and airheads appeal to different riders. Vive la difference!
That’s not entirely true, both bikes are opposed motors, shaft drive and both are top notch road bikes. The BMW had quirks I just don’t think I could live with, however. I like all bikes, just because they are bikes, but owning one is a different matter.
Like Suttree said, a sculpture. If it was a ’62, my birth year, I would have made this mine. Maybe one day I’ll come across one…
Wrong front fender on this one. Slinger is always an issue on one that has been sitting.It would be easy to drop another grand into the engine to make sure it is “right”. I bought one a few years back with 130K on it. Cleaned slinger and did new mains since we were in there. After sitting during the winter, started 2nd kick. When warm, it starts on 1/2 kick…..
Knew a guy back in the 80’s who bought one of these that had sat in a barn that burned down around it. The bike itself was pretty much unharmed but had sat for over ten years. He paid $300 for it and only did what it need to get it running. While our HD’s where rattling apart underneath us his bike never had a problem. I’d love to have one, simplicity at its finest.
I put 55,000 miles on my R60/6, no problems, Winter & Summer. Underpowered but that kept me from killing myself. I commuted to work plus road trips. My wife sighed with relief when I sold it.
Had a R50/2 In college in 1971,not fast but would run all day. Put 10,000 miles on in 6 months. Should have kept it
If you can look at the bike and see daylight on the other side, it’s a real motorcycle.
If you have to remove 14 plastic panels, bits and pieces, and do-dads-at $92/shop hour-to do normal maintenance, then it’s a…. ?
Might as well own an airplane.
@Beatnik. I bought a 1933 Calthorpe Ivory Major 500cc Twin Port bike back in 1978 as scrap and it came with a sidecar frame, wheel etc. I restored the bike in 1995/6 and it’s been in a UK museum ever since. I partly restored the sidecar bits 3 years ago to preserve them but have never been able to find a suitable chair for it. I also owned a 1955 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 single with a Steib lookalike chair back in the day and soon discovered that riding a bike fitted with a sidecar is a whole different kettle of fish to riding a solo!
Went for 6930.00. I am not much of a motorcycle guy but that sounds like a good price.
These seem to be going for around 10K in nice running condition these days. I’ve been looking for one for a while.