The BMWSlash 5 Page

Prospero's Garage

The BMW Slash 5 Page

In 1969 (1970 for the US), BMW made one of its boldest moves ever. They abandoned the motor/chassis configuration that they had stood by since at least 1955 (you could argue earlier than that) and introduced and entirely new line of motorcycles. The motor was dubbed the Type 247 and the bike was called the Slash 5.

The designers left nothing on the drawing board when they started anew with the slash 5. While they kept the global issues of opposed twin motor design and shaft drive, everything else went to the scrap yard. Motor, frame, forks, electrical system, gauges and brakes are all new.

Since their introduction to the US in 1970 the Slash 5 has ridden a popularity roller coaster. Initially praised as a necessary stroke for a very aged BMW bike line, within the first few years the bikes experienced some handling problems and were dubbed dangerous. More recently they have a popularity resurgence. With mostly modern features (kick start, positive oiling, etc) they are convenient to use as a daily driver, but they still retain just enough of that Vintage spark to really thrill their owners.

If you have any questions about Slash 5 Motorcycles, send me a note Click Here

There is a really great web page devoted solely to Slash 5 motorcycles and a technical mailing list associated with that web page. Click here for that link to 5United.

 

What you see here is a pretty much bone stock 1970 Slash 5 - the aftermarket exceptions being the backrest, saddlebags and the rear rack. While the seat is a stock BMW seat, it is not the appropriate seat for the 1970 - 71 bikes. This seat should be on a 1972 - 73 Slash 5 - I know it seems like a small thing, but there are a number of other small differences between the model years.

For example, the earlier bikes had small reflectors on the outer ends of the turn signal housings - a rather elegant affair. Later bikes used large round reflectors that were mounted on the sides of the headlight ears and the sides of the license plate bracket. The early bikes did not have the small tabs necessary to retain the chrome battery covers which would appear on later bikes.

This bike was one of my Slash 5's and in fact one of my favorites. It is an R50/5, the number designating the motor displacement. In this case the bike is a 500cc, an R60/5 would be a 600cc the largest motor of the model is the R75/5 which displaces 750cc's.

To view a collection of photos of Slash 5's I've taken over the years, click on the photo of the Dover White Toaster Tank below.

To view a collection of photos of my own Slash 5's that I've owned over they years, click on the Alpine White Standard Tank below:

And to see some of my Slash 5 travel shots, click on the link below

 

 

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