SOLD: “American Pickers” 1966 BMW R69S
This original condition 1966 BMW R69S with triple matching numbers was a purchase of Mike Wolfe’s from the TV show “American Pickers.” It was found in upstate New York. Here’s the backstory:
Mike bought the bike from Jeff who was the 3rd owner. Jeff had purchased the bike in Maryland w/ about 22k miles on it in 1972. After he had owned the bike for some time, he was sitting at a little hippie cafe in the Catskills playing chess and eating lunch when a lady said “I’m bored, Who’s motorcycle is this?” Of course, the Beemer was his. The original Chick Magnet! That lady later became his wife and they’re still married. Over the years they moved from Napa Valley to Sonoma to New York where it became parked and stored around 1980.
Mike Wolfe shipped the bike to Apex Cycle Shop, in Ellijay Georgia, to service the bike and get it back on the road.
The bike was put into storage properly with fresh oil, and the carbs and fuel tank had been drained of fuel. The original fuel tank lining is in amazing condition. Here are a few of the services performed to bring the bike out of storage:
Ultrasonically cleaned Petcock and carbs.
Replaced pushrod seals and top end gaskets.
Honed Cylinders and replaced piston rings.
Replaced rear main seal.
Cleaned, inspected clutch components and re-greased splines.
Cleaned and inspected gearbox, adjusted shaft shimming and replaced all seals.
Replaced Oil pan gasket and checked oil sump pickup.
Cleaned and greased Mechanical advance mechanism, and set timing.
Installed upgraded magneto coil.
All systems checked and fluids changed.
Of particular note on this bike are the exceptionally rare Heinrich hand hammered upper and lower fairings. The upper fairing has a wrinkle finish applied over the original paint work and in several spots the finish is coming off the paint. However original paint seems intact beneath wrinkle finish. Lower fairing shows normal wear and tear. These fairings are really special–visually stunning and provide incredible wind protection. Original condition preserved–with some “rusty gold” components showing a life well lived! This is a great piece of running history and gets better with every ride.
When it was time to say goodbye we helped Mike find a good home for the R69S.
