Restoring a Legacy: The Journey of a 1934 BMW R11, Series 5
- Fiori + Mare
- Feb 1
- 2 min read
Updated: May 4
Some machines carry stories. Others become them.
For years, my husband was on a mission—not just to find a motorcycle, but to find the motorcycle: a 1934 BMW R11, Series 5. With its art deco curves, exposed shaft drive, and commanding boxer engine, the R11 wasn’t just rare—it was a living emblem of pre-war engineering brilliance.
A Machine with History
The BMW R11 was produced between 1929 and 1934, a time when Germany was rebuilding its industrial identity between wars. Only around 7,000 units of the R11 were made, and even fewer Series 5 models—like this one—survive today. The bike featured a pressed-steel frame (unusual for its
time), a 745cc side-valve flat-twin engine, and shaft drive, making it both elegant and mechanically advanced. Designed as a touring motorcycle, it was often used by police and military forces in Germany—giving it both road presence and a bit of intrigue.
To find one now—nearly a century later—is remarkable. To restore one is an act of dedication.
The Search
The hunt was long and meticulous. R11s don’t just show up in classified ads, especially not ones in restorable condition. Eventually, he tracked one down. It wasn’t complete. It wasn’t polished. It wasn’t running. But it had a soul—and that was enough.
The Restoration
The project began as a pile of parts. Quite literally. The frame, stripped and rusted. Gears, cables, wheels, and components scattered like a puzzle without a box. Manuals? Only in German. So he translated them line by line. Some parts he sourced from obscure collectors across Europe. Others he hunted down on eBay. A few? He had to machine himself from scratch.
At one point, our dining room table became a workshop. The living room became a garage, and even the dog got used to seeing the bike inside our house. I remember the scent of paint and the quiet hum of focus as he pinstriped by hand, the occasional muttered curses when something didn’t quite fit. It wasn’t just about function. It was about honoring the bike’s history—doing it right.
The Road Traveled
This R11 has lived many lives—in Connecticut, Colorado, and now, California. It has been proudly shown at several events, including The Quail Motorcycle Gathering, where it sparked conversations, admiration, and a few wistful sighs from onlookers who understood just how special it was.
More than a restoration, it became a love letter—to mechanical beauty, to craftsmanship, and to the timeless connection between rider and machine.
Home, Sweet Home
Today, the R11 resides in Monterey, not far from the coastline where its black-and-silver body gleams against the blue Pacific. It still runs. It still stirs hearts. And more than anything, it reminds us that some things are worth the time, the effort, and the grease under your nails.
