Forum bmwbike.com

Iam trying to date my R50 BMW serial # 556880 which has been registered as an 1966 but Ibelieve is a pre 60 model perhaps a 1956

At the site w w w.ibmwr.org/otech/chassis.html you can see the serial numbers for models of post-war bikes.
It says:
R 50 550001-563515 1955-1960
R 50/2 630001-649037 1961-1969
According to this, your bike is pre-1960 as you suspect.

Hi Peter,

If you are interested, I can forward you a contact person at BMW Mobile Tradition. For a fee they will research your your serial number and tell you the day it was built and where it was sold to. I had them look up a dozen of my boxers ranging from the 1930's to mid-seventies. Let me know. Thanks.

Brock