I found one of my Dads old bikes!!!!!

[Grim]

Was talking to mom on the phone this afternoon and we somehow got talking about this race bike my dad had in the early 60's. So I Google something like BMW race bike 750 and click images and I'm staring at it!

http://weissundblau.blogspot.com/2012/12/r5175-racebike.html

So I email Scott Williams who now owns it and 30 minutes later he calls me and we confirm its the same bike.  :yes

Its still running. Its had the tank, rear fender, carbs and had transmission changed from when dad had but its still running.

After Scott saw the pictures hes already thinking about changing out the rear fender and tail light to get it back to what it looked like when dad had it.

For what ever reason the site is not letting me up load a picture but they can be seen here..
http://grimmysadventures.blogspot.com/

[mystic red]

Tasty old bike........









Cool you found it.

[Grim]

Thanks for posting those up.

So why couldn't I load them? It said contact a Moderator every time I tired to load from my hard drive to here.

[mystic red]

Dunno, I just copied the location on your blog and pasted in the img button........JOHNNY!

[johnny]

greetings...

dunno... operator error... my questions is has anybody else had this issue... 1st i have heard of it...

this was uploaded yesterday...

http://www.motobrick.com/index.php?topic=4386.0.msg27030#msg27030

j o

[Grim]

Well I'm trying to make this 2 for 2 here. Got a 6 degrees of separation thing going on now hunting for one of my dads other bikes. 

My old man passed when I was 16 in 1983. Mom was scared she was about to be in financial trouble. Dad was the bread winner and mom had left the work force when I was born. So here she was with a 12 year old (sis) and a 16 year old (me) and no income.

She immediately started selling stuff, The family camper, Its tow rig 1982 VW Vanagon (it was a really small camper), Dads 72 Porsche 914 and Dads MINT 1961 BMW R69S with 19,000 on the clock.

I'd like to find the R69S and now I have a lead on it thanks to all this:

Yesterday around lunch I went to Blue Moon cycles to check out their Museum. http://www.bluemooncycle.com/museum.html

Thats how mom and I got to talking about the Race Bike when she called me yesterday afternoon.

So Scott an I traded a couple Emails yesterday about the race bike and I told him the story of how I came to find him. When I got to the Blue Moon part he tells me he had just sold a R69S to John Landstom the owner of Blue Moon. Now it wasnt my dads bike that I know. Wrong year.

Small world huh? Gets Better

So I got talking to mom this morning and in her search for Info on the Race bike that will help document its owner string she found the bill of sale for the R69S complete with Buyer Info, Serial Number. Turns out It was bought by Ralph Wagoner of Wagoner Cycle works In Lawrenceville GA. At the time North GA's only BMW dealer. When he saw the bike he told my mom "I was looking for a bike for a customer....but I'm keeping this one for myself". 

So I take that info and start searching the internet and find this tidbit out:

In 1985 John Landstrom Answers and ad for a mechanic for.......Wagoner Cycle Works and takes the job.

  Told you it got better but there's more.

In the late 80's I went to work for a small printing company in Lawrenceville GA and If Ralph Wagoner kept his word I was driving right past his shop every day and Dads bike.

In 1995 Ralph Wagoner passes away from a fall and a year later Wagoner Cycle works goes under. John Landstrom Ends up taking over the Dealership franchise.



So this week I need to track down John Landstrom and see if he remembers the bike and can give me any leads.

Now lets try attaching another picture!

Nope this is the message I get "Your attachment has failed security checks and cannot be uploaded. Please consult the forum administrator."


Edit 2 Here it is linked.

[johnny]

is that photo from michigan...

j o

[Grim]

is that photo from michigan...

j o

95% chance of yes round about 1964. You Recognize the place?

 The others 2 are in Cobo Hall. The others are in MI. The guy in the background might be named Hans Bretzner.

[Grim]

Head way on the 61 R69S.


Just got off the phone with John Landstrom, Owner of Blue Moon. He remembers the bike well. He remebers following Wagoner and not being able to keep up (had the Hwy Gear set) and Wagoner dragged the stand and low sided it. Damage to the fenders and tank.


 After Wagoner died (nothing to do with the bike) it was part of the estate. It was sold to a guy with the last name of Bell and he was later involved in a wreck riding the bike and died. Minor damage to the tank and fenders
Bells widow had John fix the bike (wasn't badly damaged) and it sat as a shrine for 10 years.
Couple years ago she had John broker its sale. 

John is trying to remember who he sold it too and going to get back with me after he researches the VIN in his records.

I'm getting a weird feeling that this is it now knowing about the tank being damaged in the past. http://www.motorcycle-house.com/Motorcycle-makes/BMW/1961-BMW-R69S-105209051.html

[Grim]

Well Scott has updated on my dad's old bike (the 51).
My mom had some documentation that she recently found and we were able to get to Scott.

http://weissundblau.blogspot.com/2013/12/r5175-history-now-complete.html

[Oma Aika]

I love that bike AND that old Mercedes! Super!