1973 BMW 599cc R60/5
Registration no. RME 902L
Frame no. 2946085
Engine no. 2946085

The long-awaited replacements for BMW's long-running Earles-forked flat twins finally arrived in 1969. As well as a telescopic, leading-axle front fork, the newcomers featured a lightweight, welded, duplex frame, innovations first seen on the Bavarian company's ISDT machines. The engine too had come in for revision, now employing a one-piece forged crankshaft and aluminium-alloy cylinder barrels while carrying its camshaft below the crank. Coil ignition and 12-volt electrics were other new departures for the Munich firm. The new '/5' models came in three capacities, the variation being achieved by different bore sizes in what were otherwise virtually identical machines. The R60/5 produced a claimed 46bhp, which was good enough to propel the 419lbs machine to a top speed of 103mph. This apparently original and un-restored R60/5 was acquired for the collection in 1987 and displays a total of 30,826 miles on the odometer, as recorded on the expired MoT certificate on file (expired July 1987). Offered requiring re-commissioning, the machine comes with a V5C registration document.