BMW R6 for sale

A very rare BMW with an interesting history is currently being offered for sale. Tony Border, who passed away in 2012, was a member of the Classic Motorcycle Club of Victoria and bought the 1937 R6 in France in 1987 when it was in a very poor state. Tony’s widow Corinne, who is handling the sale of Tony’s motorcycle collection says, “The bike had been stored in a barn in a little town near Auch, with chooks and the odd pig milling about, and looked a bit worse for wear. It did start, however, and Tony rode it home to Toulouse, with me in the car behind. Tony built a crate and shipped it back to Australia while we kept on touring Europe on our good, reliable BMW R75/5. During the restoration he discovered sand-coloured paint underneath the black, confirming it had seen action in the desert, and he discovered two patched up bullet holes; one in the tank and the other in the crankcase. R6s were manufactured in 1937 for civilian use, and only 1850 were made. However, after war was declared in 1939, every single civilian motorcycle in Germany was requisitioned by the Wehrmacht and, like all military equipment, underwent a new paint-job, the colour scheme varying according to the theatre of operations. Initially, vehicles serving in the North African campaign were painted with a camouflage coat of dark-yellow and grey spots whereas, for example, vehicles used in Scandinavia were re- painted white. This camouflage was modified several times during the war and, after 1943, all military equipment ended-up being painted dark-yellow, regardless of what campaign they were involved in. Tony restored the bike between 1989 and 2000, keeping meticulous records. The Group Archive department of the BMW Museum in Munich confirmed it had been manufactured in August 1937, and provided a Certificate of Authenticity. The bike was fitted with new pistons, the cylinders re-bored and re-sleeved. It has a new head gasket, a new steering damper, new exhausts and fish-tail silencers. New Bosch horn and Bosch headlight assembly, electronic ignition, pre-war throttle assembly, reconditioned gearbox, new clutch. New speedo. New stainless steel spokes. Forks were rebuilt. The front stand is new, so is the pillion seat. Tank, frame and mudguards, have been repainted by Roy Bogner. In 2002 and 2007 we went with it on the Classic Motorcycle club anniversary rally, a 5-day tour through the Victorian Alps and down the coast. We also took it to a week-long tour of the Barossa Valley with the South Australian Classic Club. Tony liked to take it to the annual Classic Club Gipsland Rally and to the Vintage Club Maryborough Rally. His very last ride was on this bike, at the May 2012 Maryborough rally. This R6 has won numerous local prizes, including, in 2011 and 2012, the Phil Irving Memorial Trophy attributed by the Classic Club to the best restored bike. In 1992, BMW Australia exhibited it during the opening celebration of its new Mulgrave headquarters.” Contact Corinne Border on 0418 407462 or Corinne.border@bigpond.com