BMW R69S

BMW R69S

BMW R69S with Earles fork

Manufacturer BMW

Assembly Munich, Germany

Predecessor 1955-69

Engine 594 cc boxer twin

Bore / stroke 72 mm 73 mm

Compression ratio 9.5:1

Top speed 175 km/h

Power 35 hp

Ignition type Magneto

Frame type Double loop steel tubular

Suspension Earles fork with suspension units and oil pressure

shock absorbers

Brakes Drum brake 200 mm (7.9 in) diameter

 Tires 3.5 18 S

Dimensions L: 2125 mm

W: 722 mm

H: 980 mm

Weight 202 kg (wet)

Fuel capacity 17 l

Fuel consumption 5.3 liters/100 km

The R69S, R69US, and R69 are motorcycles, fitted with 594 cc boxer twin engines, that were
manufactured by BMW in Munich, Germany.

Contents
[hide]

1Production history

2Specifications

o 2.1Engine

o 2.2Power Transmission

o 2.3Electrical System

o 2.4Chassis

o 2.5Dimensions/Weights

3See also

4References

o 4.1Notes

o 4.2Bibliography

5External links
Production history[edit]
From 1955 to 1969, 15,347 of these 594 cc shaft-drive, opposed twin motorcycles were built.
The 35 hp (26 kW) R69 was produced from 1955 to 1960, the 42 hp (31 kW) R69S was
produced from 1960 to 1969,[1] and the 42 hp R69US was produced from 1968 to 1969.[2] These
models were designed as relatively high powered, high compression sport bikes, although
the Earles fork R69 and R69S came with sidecar lugs installed on the frames. These lugs were
deleted from the telescopic fork "US" models. The low compression 30 hp (22 kW) R60/2,
produced from 1955 to 1960, was designed primarily for sidecar use, though it was popularly
used as a solo bike, along with the 30 hp R60US, which was produced between 1968 and
1969.
The sport-oriented R69S, R69US, and R69 succeeded the plunger-framed 1951 to 1955 R68,
which had an engine very similar to that in the later R69.
The R69US models, with telescopic forks, which were used later on the BMW R-/5 series
motorcycles, were introduced in the United States for the 1968 model year and then continued
for 1969. Front and rear side reflectors, demanded by the U. S. Department of Transportation,
were introduced only for the 1969 model year, along with a DOT sticker that was placed on the
rear fender. The previous Earles fork continued to be offered during these years.
In June 1962, Cycle World magazine published a review of the R69S. Its initial and concluding
paragraphs read:

Ask any motorcyclist what he considers to be the two-wheeled equivalent

wheelers a second glance.
• • •

Whatever the BMW's merits in a contest of speed, it is still the smoothest,

Specifications[edit]
R69S Specifications. (R69 specifications shown in parentheses when different from the R69S [4])

Start of Production 1960 (1955)

End of Production 1969 (1960)

Numbers Produced 11,317 (2,956)

Engine[edit]

Internal Designation 268/3 (268/2)

Motor Type Four-stroke two cylinder flat twin

Bore Stroke 72 mm 73 mm (2.83 in 2.87 in)

Displacement 594 cc
 Max Power 42 hp (31 kW) at 7000 rpm (35 hp or 26 kW at 6800 rpm)

Compression Ratio 9.5:1 (7.5:1)

Valves OHV

Carburation System 2 carburetors, Type Bing 1/26/75-1/26/76 or 1/26/91-1/26/92

(1/26/9-1/26/10)

Engine Lubricating System Forced feed lubrication

Oil Pump Gear pump

Power Transmission[edit]

Clutch Single plate, saucer spring, dry

Number of Gears 4

Shifting Foot shifting

Gearbox Ratios 4.17/2.73/1.94/1.54 (5.33/3.02/2/04/1.54)

Rear Wheel Ratio 1:3.375 or 1:3.13; with sidecar 1:4.33 (1:3.18 or 1:4.25 sidecar)

Bevel/Crownwheel 8/25 or 8/27 teeth; with sidecar 6/26 (11/35; 8/34 sidecar)
Electrical System[edit]

Ignition System Magneto ignition

Generator Bosch LJ/CGE 60/6/1700 R (Noris L 60/6/1500L)

Spark Plugs Bosch W260T1 or Beru 260/14 (Bosch W240T1)

Chassis[edit]

Designation 245/2 (245/1)

Frame Double loop steel tubular frame

Front wheel suspension Earles fork with suspension units and oil pressure shock
absorbers

Rear wheel suspension Long swing arm with suspension units and oil pressure
shock absorbers

Wheel rims Deep bed 2.15B 18; with sidecar, rear 2.75C 18
 Tires, Front 3.5 18 S

Tires, Rear 3.50 S (4 18 S with sidecar)

Brakes, Front Drum brake 200 mm (7.9 in) diameter duplex full hub

Brakes, Rear Drum brake 200 mm (7.9 in) diameter simplex full hub
Dimensions/Weights[edit]

Length Width Height 2125 mm 722 mm 980 mm; (83.66 in 28.42 in

38.58 in)

Wheel Base 1415 mm (55.7 in); with original sidecar 1450 mm (57.1 in)

Fuel Tank Capacity 17 l (3.73 imp or 4.49 US gal)

Unladen Weight with Full Tank 202 kg (445 lb); with original sidecar 324 kg (714 lb)

Idle/Riding Noise 84/82 DIN phon; from 13 September 1966: 78/84 dB(A)

Load Rating 360 kg (790 lb); with original sidecar 600 kg (1,300 lb)

Fuel Consumption 5.3 liters/100 km / 44 mpg (US) (3.6 l/100 km or 64 mpg (US))

Oil Consumption 0.5 - 1 liters/1,000 km approx.

Top Speed 175 km/h (109 mph) (165 km/h or 103 mph)