Forum bmwbike.com

Currently looking at one to buy, but oldest bmw owned was a 1975... much to learn: How can i identify if the carbs are original? Where is the serial number stamped on the frame? Comes with sidecar but how can I tell if this one is the original? Was the 22 liter tank an option for that year? Also would like to find an original passenger seat and ignition switch? Any help in obtaining more info will be greatly appreciated.

john

I hope my memory does not fail me... I did restore a R51/3 some 12 years ago, and sold it 5 years ago. Frame number is stamped in the right holding clamp for the plunger suspension. Carbs: originals are Bing, left type number 1/22/41, right 1/22/42.
Originally they came with the sleek looking 17 liters tank, but over the years bigger and supposedly more flashy looking tanks were made by the parts industry, Georg Meyer was one of them. Sidecar: mostly used on BMW's are Steib.
Spare parts: in my experience Uli's in Frankfort is the best as to coverage, price and speed of delivery:
Ulis Motorradladen
Ulrich Seiwert
Gutleutstrasse 144
60327 Frankfurt am Main
phone: 00 49 69 239319
Good luck!

Dear Sir: i am glad to hear about you,and share the same hobbies i
will give you a website in the us. wich specialized in BMW ,who has a R51/3 with sidecar of 1951.I am still restoring mine an bmw r51/3 of 1954
and in that website i found very parts and advises and including electrical parts such as alternator in 12 V /200 A.This is the website:
http://Menbers.aol.com/VechBMW/index.html.

Hello Robinson,
I live in Brest, France, and for 4 years, I am restoring my old bike BMW R51/3 1954. I am very glad to know somebody elsewhere in doing same job !
More less expensive as US guys are Germans ; to complete spare parts available in Mark Huggett's lists you can see the following web site and compare to US prices.
http://www.motorrad-stemler.de/dcenter/down5_e.htm

Good luck for your bike.
Michel Desclèves
michel.descleves@wanadoo.fr