I was at a swap meet with my friend Denis, and he was checking out a 1952 R25 for sale. The price was right, and the bike was nice, but he just couldn't decide what to do. Finally I asked him what was wrong. "I'm just not interested in restoring another black BMW" he blurted out. That's when I reminded him of my old R67/3 that was red from the factory. His face lit up with a big smile, and he bought the bike on the spot. Here's the project only 6 weeks later, well underway and quite shiny. My daughter Nora looks on.

A photo of a late 1950's BMW R50 racer. This nice looking tank is similar to a 6.5 gallon sport tank, but it lacks the tool box on top, and there's a sharper angle to the sides just ahead of the riders knee area.  Note the tach mounted about 6 inches below the riders hand.

Here' a 1955 R69 photographed in California around 1979. Notice how the early small tail light and license plate bracket completely change the look of the bike from the back. That nice swing saddle helps to complete the effect.

Parked next to the R69 at the same rally was this nice looking R62. Finding a 1920's BMW of my own is something that's never worked out for me, but I hope that someday it will.

A pre-war R51 seen here in Canada in 1954. The Schorsch Meier tank, Hoske rear grab handle, and rubber fork gaiters are post war additions. Also note the duck bill headlight ring and the sporty windscreen.

Parked next to the same R51 as the photo above are these two pre-55 plunger twins (exact models not discernable). The bike in the center sports clubman bars and an R68 style front fender.

Also owned by the same fellow was this late R12. Fitted to this bike is a pre-war bell fender. The solo seat seems to be suspended with an R75 seat spring.

From the same set of old photos, but not owned by the previous rider, is this 1950s Rennsport. The colorful looking fellow in the beret would make a wonderful character actor in a Hollywood movie... all you'd need is Elvis Presley and an attractive leading lady for them to spar over. You had to be a pretty good rider to rate one of these factory hot rods, so hopefully I'm not having a chuckle over anyone famous!

A very original and straight 1937 R5 that changed hands recently. The generator and front timing cover were included too. The '37 R5, along with the R6 introduced in the same year, were the first twins to feature the air filter base as an integral part of the transmission housing.

Zundapp success! Several years ago I foolishly let a 1957 KS601el go. Through the help of a friend, I have another  'el'  at last! Only a few hundred of these bikes were made between 1956-57, and almost all were exported to the USA. This machine is a 1956.