I purchased this R5 in 1993 from a London BMW specialist who did most of the restoration and have enjoyed it, therefore for over 30 years. According to a UKJ marque specialist I am only the 4th owner.
I have had the engine restored in Italy about ten years ago and have driven just over 3000Km. The attached pictures testify the high condition of the R5 as well as its originality. Please also listed to the smoothness of its engine in the enclosed video.
Everything works, even the horn
Reason for the sale: lack of rear suspension makes it too rigid for my recently operated back and whilst I love looking at. it, it deserves to be used more frequently.
You can inspect the bike in Rome and I can provide expert references from marque specialists.
Not many complete R5s in working conditions appear in the market. It is the most iconic of BMWs so much that it was the inspiration for the recent development of the R18
First introduced in 1936., the R5 marked a significant leap forward in motorcycle engineering and design at the time. The R5 featured a 500cc, twin-cylinder, chain driven dual cam four-stroke engine, which produced around 24 horsepower, allowing it to reach a top speed of approximately 135 km/h (84 mph). The BMW R5 had a tubular steel frame a departure from the pressed steel frames used on earlier models like the R12. The tubular frame design provided better flexibility, lighter weight, and improved handling, which made the R5 a more agile and responsive motorcycle. One of the standout features of the R5 was its adjustable telescopic front fork, a cutting-edge design that provided better shock absorption and control compared to previous designs. It also had a foot-operated four-speed gearbox, which was an improvement over hand-shifted gears found on earlier models. The R5’s design was sleek and elegant, combining function with aesthetic appeal, making it a significant influence on motorcycle design in the following decades.