1951 BMW 494cc R51/3 Frame no. 526551 Engine no. 526551

1951 BMW 494cc R51/3 Frame no. 526551 Engine no. 526551 For further information on this lot please visit the Bonhams website BMW recommenced motorcycle production in December 1948 with the R24 single but it would be another 12 months before a twin-cylinder model became available again. This was the R51/2 based, as its designation suggests, on the pre-war R51. Improvements incorporated into the R51/2 included a two-way damped front fork, gearbox main-shaft damper and strengthened frame. In truth, the R51/2 was only a stopgap model to get production under way while BMW worked on something more modern. Its replacement, the R51/3, arrived in February 1951 and despite the similarity in designation had an entirely new and much neater looking engine incorporating a single, gear-driven camshaft and crankshaft-mounted generator among a host of other advances. Boasting paintwork that appears largely original and possibly un-restored, this R51/3 comes with its original German Kraftfahrzeugbrief listing Dr Peter Bühner as third owner from 22nd April 1982. The history folder also contains magazine articles, various instruction manuals and other original factory literature (in German). Offered with keys. Bénéficiant d'une peinture qui semble être en grande partie d'origine et probablement jamais restaurée, cette R51/3 assemblée le 28 novembre 1951 a été livrée à l'agent BMW Timmermann à Isarlohn en Allemagne le 11 décembre suivant. La machine est accompagnée de son Fahrzeugbrief alllemand d'origine qui mentionne le Dr Peter Bühner comme troisième propriétaire à compter du 22 avril 1982. Le dossier historique comprend des articles de magazine, plusieurs manuels d'utilisation et d'autres documents d'usine (en allemand) ainsi que les clés de la moto. It should be noted that these vehicles have either been on display in the museum or kept in store since Peter and Ulrike passed away. Their present mechanical condition is not known; accordingly, perspective bidders must satisfy themselves with regards to their condition, completeness, correctness, or otherwise prior to bidding. On notera que depuis le décès de Peter et d'Ulrike ces véhicules ont été maintenus en exposition dans le musée ou entreposés. L'état actuel réel des mécaniques est inconnu et les éventuels acquéreurs devront s'assurer par eux-mêmes de la condition, de l'intégrité, de l'authenticité et autres points relatifs à la qualité des machines avant de porter leurs enchères.