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From 1976 through 1986, I rode my ’64 BMW R69S everywhere: for business as well as pleasure. I rode it to trials in downstate counties, on camping trips, to family gatherings, and just for fun. Mileage reimbursement from one bout of litigation while I was with the Attorney General alone may have paid for what this bike cost me. In 1984 – 1986, the BMW helped me litigate the right to ride motorcycles on public highways and transported me up and down the State as I called meetings of clubs to help form what is now A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois.
Yes, this old bike has a lot of history behind it.
History, however, does not help a motorcycle run. By the end of 1986, the BMW was so difficult to start that I parked it in my brother’s shop for him to correct the starting problem when he had time. 30 years later, Ron had still not found the time to exterminate the gremlin that made the BMW so hard to start. In the past few years, other mechanics refreshed the engine and were able to get it to start for them, but not for me.
This summer, Ron and I were able to spend a day going over the ignition system on the R69S. Ron noted that the spark timing was not stable on the magneto. He suggested I consider looking at the spark advance mechanism. I have an extra spark advance that I put on the bike; however, I never attempted to start the bike afterwards. I just could not see how switching spark advances would make a difference.
Get ready for it. Here is the bonehead move of the season: I had made arrangements to go to a Tech Day at Don Beverage’s shop in northern Indiana to try to sort out the starting problem. So, without testing to see if the BMW would start, I loaded the bike in my trailer and headed for Don’s.
The next day at the tech session was a glorious opportunity to meet fellow BMW enthusiasts and to compare notes – including my tale of woe of a bike that did not want to start. After I adjusted handlebar controls knocked out of kilter when the bike slipped its moorings in the trailer on the way there, one of the guys suggested I kick the engine over just to see what would happen. I had nothing to lose; so, I turned on the gas & ignition and gave it a kick.
IT STARTED!
The R69S passed its final test 10 August 2022 when I rode it ~85 miles to & from a Springfield Milers BMW Motorcycle Club meeting in Chandlerville, IL. The ’64 BMW started reliably every time and handled the road with aplomb. It still has some rough edges, but it is awakening from its decades’ long dormancy. Right now, it does all the important stuff, and I couldn’t be happier.
Yes, this old bike has a lot of history behind it.
History, however, does not help a motorcycle run. By the end of 1986, the BMW was so difficult to start that I parked it in my brother’s shop for him to correct the starting problem when he had time. 30 years later, Ron had still not found the time to exterminate the gremlin that made the BMW so hard to start. In the past few years, other mechanics refreshed the engine and were able to get it to start for them, but not for me.
This summer, Ron and I were able to spend a day going over the ignition system on the R69S. Ron noted that the spark timing was not stable on the magneto. He suggested I consider looking at the spark advance mechanism. I have an extra spark advance that I put on the bike; however, I never attempted to start the bike afterwards. I just could not see how switching spark advances would make a difference.
Get ready for it. Here is the bonehead move of the season: I had made arrangements to go to a Tech Day at Don Beverage’s shop in northern Indiana to try to sort out the starting problem. So, without testing to see if the BMW would start, I loaded the bike in my trailer and headed for Don’s.
The next day at the tech session was a glorious opportunity to meet fellow BMW enthusiasts and to compare notes – including my tale of woe of a bike that did not want to start. After I adjusted handlebar controls knocked out of kilter when the bike slipped its moorings in the trailer on the way there, one of the guys suggested I kick the engine over just to see what would happen. I had nothing to lose; so, I turned on the gas & ignition and gave it a kick.
IT STARTED!
The R69S passed its final test 10 August 2022 when I rode it ~85 miles to & from a Springfield Milers BMW Motorcycle Club meeting in Chandlerville, IL. The ’64 BMW started reliably every time and handled the road with aplomb. It still has some rough edges, but it is awakening from its decades’ long dormancy. Right now, it does all the important stuff, and I couldn’t be happier.
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