seit 1981
since 1981

R100RT
1995

BK350
2002

CJ750
2003

R25/3
2004

A580
2005

KI120
2005

R51/3
2006




According to what I promised my wife, the R51/3 should have never appeared in our garage. The CONDOR was supposed to be the last bike I buy. I do have a very understanding wife, plus I can be very persuasive (or annoying?) at times. Besides, she understands my hobby keeps me out of taverns and away from strange women.

The CONDOR was supposed to be the bike I wanted to ride along with Isabel (my wife) when she takes the R25/3 or the CJ, but the CONDOR was no fun to ride together with these bikes. The gears of the CONDOR did not match the gears of the R25 or CJ. The strange sound and having the brake pedal on the 'wrong' side of the bike significantly reduced the fun of riding.

Somehow the perfect bike was still missing in the garage. But what qualities it was supposed to have? In general they were a collection of single qualities of the existing bikes.

- The easy handling of the R25/3 - The sporting touch of the BK 350 - The deep and convenient sound of the R25 of CJ - The silent engine, no rattle noises from the engine or gearbox - The Power and stability of the Chang Jiang - The combination of telescopic front fork and telescopic suspension at the back (BK,CJ,R25) - Opposed twin with shaft drive (BK,CJ) - Fast enough to cope with today's normal traffic (> 100Km/h) - Build before 1960

Not many bikes could fulfill these requirements and be affordable at the same time. Searching through my motorcycle encyclopedias I ended up with the R51/3. But still the combination good price and good condition is hard to find. I simply had to wait for a good chance before I could buy such a bike.

This opportunity came much quicker than I thought. Visiting a friend who worked a lot on BMW singles, I told him about my idea to search for such a motorcycle. His reply to my story struck me speechless: ' How many do you want ?' It happened that his neighbor bought four R 51/3s a few years ago. One he restored for himself, and the other three were still sitting in his garage ready to be sold. One of them was even in a condition for a test-ride.
When I first saw the bikes, they looked quite miserable in their French Army dark green color without pinstripes or emblems. The fenders and tank had a few dents, but there was no rust on the bike. To my surprise it took only one try with the kick start to bring the engine to life. What I heard from the mufflers fascinated me immediately. This strong, deep, smooth sound that filled my brain (or what was left of it) and after riding around in his yard for a minutes It was clear for me: I had to buy this bike!

Again I have to make the difficult decision what I will do to the bike. The brakes, wheels, and lights have to be repaired or renewed, but the rest needs only some cleaning.
It will get a new paint job some day, because I can't stand this green, but I am not sure when it will happen.

But first I would like to enjoy riding the bike. After that I can start to work on all the details. For this reason it might take a while before the details section for the R51/3 will be filled with pictures. The URANIA has to be finished first anyway… But then ???