The BMW R50 S is a motorcycle of the BMW brand. History
The R 50 was introduced in 1955 as a successor to the R 51/3. The R 50 was part of a whole range of new models: the 250cc R26 model, the 500cc R50 model, the 600cc R60 model and the 600cc sport model R69. This whole series consisted of "Vollschwingen BMW's" properties were significantly better than those of their predecessors. The R 50 had a swing arm rear suspension with two fully enclosed spring / damping elements whose bias was adjustable. The rear frame made the same "loop" down which also had the plunger-worn models, which did not even reveal this new system at first sight. The Earles swing fork (with the same spring / damper elements) was all the more striking. Swing forks were actually extinct, and BMW was one of the first brands to apply telescopic forks. For example, English brands had come along, but might have developed more modern front forks, such as the Teledraulic and later the Roadholder fork. In any case, the step that BMW had put in 1955 was a technical improvement, but the appearance of the BMWs was still unsuccessful. The still-used floating saddles also contributed to the old-fashioned appearance of the machines. A Triumph T10 Tiger from the same period was an extremely sporty looking motorcycle. The R 50 still had a welded tube frame (double cradle frame) with side clamp couplings. There were full hub drum brakes for and behind. Engine block and gearbox made of cast aluminum with cast iron cylinders and aluminum cylinder heads. The camshaft was above the crankshaft and was driven by gears. The rods were in chromed tubes above the cylinders. Engine and gearbox were no longer fitted with steering boxes in the frame, but were screwed, with only the upper motor mount attached to rubber discs. The extra handshift gear, which was on the gearbox of the previous models, had disappeared forever on the arrival of this series of motorcycles. The capacity was only slightly increased from the 24 hp to 26 hp compared to the R 51/3. For the first time, the cardanas were no longer outdoors, but in a cardan tunnel that contained an oil bath. Over time, electric direction indicators (the "Cowows") and a duo saddle were also available. The BMW R 50 was a sports motorcycle without sporty counterpart. The R 50 successor was the R 50/2 from 1960. He got a sporty "brother", the BMW R 50 S. R 50 S
The R50 S introduced in 1960 also featured a series of motorcycles consisting of the 250cc R27, the 500cc R50/2, the 500cc R50 S, the 600cc R60/2 and the 600cc sports engine R 69 S.
The German motorcycle market was almost completely collapsed in the mid-fifties. Motorcycles were considered "inferior" means of transport, everyone wanted a small car, a dwarf or a scooter. Sporty motorcycles were still popular, but the Germans, like the British, had to be exported to the United States during that period. There was the tour segment almost entirely in the hands of Harley-Davidson. However, sports cars did not have Harley to offer. The K-K (K, KK, KH, KHK) series had been tried, but with their old-fashioned side-door engine they were not a serious option as a sports car. The Harley-Davidson Sportster, which was produced since 1957, was not considered a serious sports engine. There was a chance for the BMW's R 50 S and R 69 S.
Compared to the 1955 series, there were some technical differences. The direction indicators were obviously available immediately, and the frames were slightly reinforced. BMW's "S" models were the world's first with a hydraulically damped steering damper. A 500cc sports car had not delivered BMW for a long time. The R 51 (1938-1941) was
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