These are some of my favorite photos of my '58 R50, which I inherited from my father. Bought in 1961 used for for $500 when my dad was and engineering undergrad, he rode it all over the country often with my mom on the back, and in about 8 years he put 60,000 miles on it.
In 1969 right before I was born, he had a 9 one accident and was forbidden by my mother to ever ride again, or more precisely, not at least until he was worth more dead than alive! He stored the bike for the entire time I have been alive. When I turned 40 last year, my father died at an early 71 of a stroke. I found a note on the bike indicating that he wanted me to get her running again, so I made it my mission to restore the bike as a tribute for my father.

mom and Dad 1961

earliest pic I have of my bike. My mom and dad in 1961

my father in front of Seattle Space Needle, 1963

my parents took the R50 to Seattle in 1963 to see the World's Fair

mom and sister in Madison

cool pic of my big sister right after she was born in '64 in Madison, Wisconsin

1969 damage

damage from accident, 1969. Bike was taken off road until august 2010.

my injured dad

my young father, about 30, right after accident. He would never ride again the rest of his life.

me in 1981

me in 1981 dreaming about riding my dad's bike one day. It was briefly started up for a few minutes on this day

sitting for 40 years

this is were she sat until my father died, in the corner of what was once a single horse stable in my dad's garage.

patina detail shot

I loved the old patina of the original paint, but it was too hard to keep the old paint and also do body work like fill holes.

note that I found on bike

this note was clipped to the bars and was written to me years ago, but I never read it until he died.

original paint, after washing

after a good cleaning she looked really cool, but I made the decision to do a full cosmetic restore to elongate the life of bike

dissasembly

taking apart a BMW is relatively easy... there is no going back now!

tin ready for body shop

tins had lots of holes from various gizmos my father attached over the years. Lots of welding needed.

soda blasting engine and tranny

baking soda was used instead of glass bead to give a more natural patina and also it is water soluble

prepping engine using Peter Nettesheim's engine stand

you need the right tool for the job- how about an official swivel engine stand from an old BMW dealer?

assembly begins

what a great feeling to start making "one part from many"

detail shot

BMW engines are a work of art. The organic rounded shapes and multiple textures add to the complexity and beauty

looking like a motorcycle again

almost a year later, she is looking like a motorcycle again. A much cleaner motorcycle.

99.9% finished

right before completion, ready to be taken off the table

project complete

she started up after just a few kicks. I still can't believe how beautiful she came out

what a stud

OK, I think I look cool next to my gorgeous bike. Who wouldn't?

For My Father

my favorite part of the bike is this plaque that I had made for the rear fender.

Dad polishing his new R50 back in 1960

My parents look like models posing for a Life Magazine shot!

period accessories in 1960

My dad posing on his R50 back in 1960 or 61

My R50 next to the one and only R7 prototype

my bike is camera shy next to the most famous BMW in history

Me on the R7

what an honor to be one of the very few to ever sit on the rarest BMW ever

me with good friend Peter Nettesheim

R7 was on loan temporarily with Peter so he could showcase it for BMW NA executives

R50 in front of Nettesheim Museum

Peter's museum Barn makes a nice backdrop for a classic photo

starting R50

looking cool while pumping the gas out of my flooded R50

temporary 2-up seating

added temp pillion to give my wife her first and maybe last ride on a motorcycle

Happy Holidays 20011

My girls make a cute Christmas card. And yes I do photoshop for a living...