1949 BMW R-35 antique motorcycle

1949 BMW R-35 serial number 210815 (matching numbers)

If you are looking at this bike. you know what the specs are for a BMW R-35…  342cc. 14 hp. 4 speed side shifter trannsmission. nbsp; 340 lbs. drum brakes. hardtail. 6v system.  Keep in mind that this is a 66 year old bike; if you’re looking for something to log a lot of miles with you should probably look at something else.   I have owned this bike for a little over 5 years. but it’s time to let go as I’ve moved out west and don’t have space to store it or time to ride it.   It is titled and registered in Florida. but the bike is currently in stored Gainesville. GA.  

 

The previous owner told me that the bike was restored in the 90’s in Europe then imported into the states by an antiques dealer in 2002.  Both frame and engine numbers match.   BMW stampings are on the right and left side of the engine and I have found various parts on the bike showing the correct BMW labeling.   Please review the extensive photo collection on Flickr.   If you have any questions or requests. please feel free to reach out. If you are not a legitimate buyer with funds. please move along.  I wasn't born yesterday so waste your time somewhere else.

http://www. flickr. com//photos/42453340@N05/sets/72157630490145142/show/with/7532987528/

 

Video of the bike can be found here:

https://www. dropbox. com/s/4zi9ah9gda8ptdh/BMW%20R-35%20Ride1. mp4?dl=0

and here:

https://www. dropbox. com/s/t8t1oojbp1pt4rg/BMW%20R-35%20Ride2. mp4?dl=0

 

This bike gets comments and looks everywhere you go.   A stop at the gas station routinely ends up being a 15 minute endeavor as people stop to talk.   Even at the big bike meets there will be people huddled around it taking pictures. Cosmetically it is in great shape. so good that I was keeping it in my living room. It only takes a kick or two to get running.   My typical procedure is to open the petcock. tickle the carb float a little. kick it over 2 times with the ignition off to get fuel in the cylinder. then kick it over once more with the ignition on.  

 

During my ownership I spent about $3000-3500 repairing various mechanical items:

-New Ring and Pinion gear 8/45 ratio $245

-New Metzler tires. rims and spokes relaced by Benchmark Works (Sturgis. MS) $1651

-Generator rebuilt by Todd Rasmussen (Okc. OK) $515

-Rebuild carburetor including repairing the float which was leaking

-Set valve lash

-Replace points

-New front and rear brake shoes and lining (extra liners included)

-New oil pan gasket and head gasket

-New rear axle shaft

-New dry cell battery with back up battery in the small storage compartment.

-New coil

-New spark plug and wire

-New headlight (spare bulb included)

 

However with any 60 year old bike there remain some items aren’t perfect: 

-The drive shaft seal on the differential leaks a little

-Slow drip from the oil pan

-The speedometer itself works. but the gear is missing in the transmission to drive the speedo cable.

-There are a few bolts and screws here and there which are not period correct.

-I’ve found that the points ignition needs to be adjust every so often or it doesn’t run as well.  

-The ignition is a bit finicky in that the key needs to be wiggled into the right position to stay in place.

-The paint is cracking on exhaust (see pics. I believe this should be chrome to make it “period correct”)

-The chrome plating started to flake off the drive shaft (it’s in the pics)

-When the gate pod for the side shifter is attached. I find it’s sometimes difficult to get 4th gear. so I just leave it off.

-Fuel petcock does not seal well enough. but I didn’t want to put a shiny new one on so I just clamp the fuel line.

Also published at eBay.com