“Weiss” — a Dover White
1967 BMW R60/2
“Weiss” (rhymes with "Vice") is German for “White”
Last updated September 25, 2011

This is a 1967 BMW R60/2 (built 9/20/1966) with its original Dover white paint and black pinstripes. In 2002, I purchased it from the widow of its original owner. It had 29,142 miles (46,900 km) on the odometer and is completely original, except for the reproduction rear-view mirrors. For the truly picky, note that it even has its original white rubber timing-hole cover in place. I added the period correct Craven saddlebags in 2007, painted to match.

The motorcycle now has a 12-volt, 200-watt electrics instead of the original 6 volts and 60 watts. See information about this at the bottom of this page.

The above photo is a view of which I cannot get too much. I just love the two cylinders protruding to the left and right, like stubby wings. I remember clearly the first time I ever owned and rode such a BMW twin, though it was black with white pinstriping. I was in heaven, floating over the road on a magic carpet. All was right with the world and my motorcycle. Whenever I ride a 1960s BMW twin I am transported instantly back to my youth and to that lovely Wisconsin spring afternoon in 1967.

Michael Bondy, of Butler & Smith, then the U.S. importers of BMW motorcycles sent BMW in Munich a can of that color paint, which was used on his 1942 Packard, and BMW duplicated it. He then ordered 50 motorcycles in that color. Do you want to know the paint codes for this color? In modern terms, the Dover white paint color is GM paint code #059, 1980 General Motors frost beige (PPG #3087).

Years ago, I decided I wanted sealed, maintenance-free 6-volt battery for my slash-2 BMWs. I found an inexpensive 6-volt sealed AGM battery, which is sold for a little over $30 through Batteries Plus. I cannot say enough positive about these batteries. I have used some for over 10 years, and every one I have ever bought is still working just fine. If you have a BMW /2 that is still 6 volts, you really should use this battery. It inserts a fuse in a fuseless BMW and uses a common 2-prong electrical connector available from Radio Shack and other sources, allowing easy charging.

Below: this R60/2, still running beautifully and a joy to ride, turned over 30,000 miles in October 2007.

Below: Here is “Weiss”, taken with a fisheye lens and Tucson, Arizona, in the background.

Below: “Weiss” does get around. Here she is posed in front of a National Historic Landmark, the Harold C. Bradley House in Madison, Wisconsin.

Below: “Weiss” does need occasional attention. In 2007 I replaced the steering-head bearings with tapered bearings. This is a common and highly recommended change for vintage BMWs.

In the photos below you can see “Weiss” in Vech's Bench Mark Works shop in November 2010 for some basic repairs and maintenance. The slingers were replaced and the crankshaft was rebuilt. Vech also installed a 12-volt alternator and checked and lubricated the various bearings, touched up areas of paint damage. The bike also received new 1st over pistons. Slingers were cleaned. Installed were new push rods, push rod seals, cylinder head gaskets, spark plugs, fuel lines, front tank bolt. Head guide seats were cut and cylinders bored. Installed were new rear shock covers, bearing crankshaft crown gears, rear crankshaft seal, clutch plate, gasket oil screen, pan cork, spark plug caps, rear eye shocks. Wheel bearings were packed. Balance rods were cleaned and con rod installed. Cylinders were bored and new intake and exhaust valves installed. Other seals were replaced and bearings packed. When done, Vech pronounced “Weiss” sound for a 44-year-old R60/2.

The conversion from 6-volt electrics to 12 volts involved the Bench Mark Works “Slap-On” conversion kit. The 12-volt conversion was done with all bulbs and new 12-volt battery. The original BMW magneto remains in place to fire the spark plugs. However, after the conversion the motorcycle should not be run without the 12-volt battery as it would destroy the voltage regulator and diode board.

Below: Here is “Weiss” back home. With Bench Mark Works' 12 volt system and 200 watts of power, the bike has a more powerful headlight, a headlight modulator, and Hyper-Lites brakes flashing LEDs — none of which can be used on the original 6-volt, 60-watt BMW — and it runs beautifully. The 12-volt system also allows me now to wear an electric vest or jacket, power a Garmin Zumo GPS, and charge my cell phone, which is impossible on a 6-volt bike. Of course, the new electrical system is independent of the magneto, which still powers the spark plugs in the engine. And just looking at the motorcycle, you cannot tell it has been converted to 12 volts (unless you notice the large 12-volt sealed battery).

Below: An LED taillight/brakelight combination, left, can be run with 12 volts, as can a much brighter headlight, right.

Click here to read English R60/2 specifications from BMW A.G., Munich, Germany.

Click here for the complete 50-page 1966 slash-2 motorcycle owner's manual

Click here to see pages from the 1965 BMW motorcycle brochure

Click here to see original 1968 photos of 1968 BMWs