1957 BMW R69

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BMW introduced the R69 in 1955 as a successor to the R68, marking the beginning of the Earles fork era. Only 2,954 were built during 1955 to 1960. I purchased this matching numbers example on eBay and completed a full restoration using popular aftermarket parts of the period. 

I was lucky to secure a genuine Rauch dual-instrument headlight bucket with a full-size tachometer for this R69, going so far as to buy an R60 from a fellow collector just to get it. These buckets have sold for as much as $10,000 on eBay (see the completed auction photo on the gallery page).

Rear view of the Hoske tank and swinging pillion saddle.

Other notable period parts include a Bowman large capacity oil pan, Bowman aluminum flywheel, VDO tachometer drive and Hoske mufflers for that extra growl.

BMW Group Classic issued a digital birth certificate confirming the motorcycle's authenticity, with matching frame and motor numbers, original ID tag, and detailed production and delivery information.