Forum bmwbike.com

I need some finishing information on the following components on my 1937 R6:

Ignition lever/housing and headlight dip switch housing. Should these be chrome
or cad plated or just polished?

Should parts such as the horn, foot brake lever, springs and bolt heads be
painted with the same gloss black bike paint or with a different finish?

Are parts such as the generator brackets and foot shift rod silver painted
or cad plated?

Thanks in advance.

Hi John,

I've restored an R5, R51 and R66. Generally speaking all cycle parts should be painted black - foot brake, bolt heads, horn, gear lever mechanism, everything. This was probably due to the fact chome was being diverted to the armaments industry, hence the black - painted silencers, etc. The generator bracket was cad plated so far as I can determine, although I painted silver those I restored and they look fine.

The R51 and 66 both had black-painted dip switch controls (cable), while the R5 unit was chrome plated, but that may well have been an after-market addition.

I hope this helps.

Gerry