MAX BMW Plans R69S Rebuild At IMS

BROOKFIELD, CT – The clock will be ticking for MAX BMW at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in New York next weekend as the dealership plans a 2½-day rebuild of a 1961 BMW R69S.

The show runs Dec. 9 through 11 at the Jacobs K. Javits Convention Center and the Brookfield dealership plans to start with a frame, half-built engine along with transmission and shaft drive, wheels, wiring harness and countless parts. By show’s end there will be a complete and running motorcycle taking a maiden voyage on the city’s streets. That is, if all goes according to plan.

“It’s going to be a fun thing for everybody to see,” said MAX BMW master technician Phil Cheney. The bike that’s being restored was brought to the dealership in parts in 2011 by an owner, who unloaded everything from the back of a Subaru and sold it to the dealership. The disassembled bike has been sitting in a back room collecting dust ever since.

About a month ago, everything was pulled from shelves. The frame, tank, fenders and other parts were sent out to be re-painted. Parts were cataloged to see what needed to be ordered. “We’re getting all the parts together right now,” said Cheney, explaining that Friday at the IMS will be devoted to setting up a lift and organizing everything. Saturday will be the day when most of the works gets done.

Cheney added that Tyler Waterman, another master technician from the Brookfield store, will also be at the IMS taking apart and reassembling a motor from a BMW S 1000 RR for spectators to see.

– By Bud Wilkinson