1969 BMW R 75/5 Specifications

Name: 1969 BMW R 75/5
Brand: BMW

All-Round • Specs last verified 31 October 2026

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1969 BMW R 75/5 Overview

BMW R 75/5 is an all-round motorcycle, displacing 745 cc. Power comes from a Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, pushrod operated 2 valves per cylinder engine, a compression ratio of 9.0:1. On the performance side, it delivers 36.8 kW /50 hp @ 6200 rpm of peak power and 60 Nm @ 5000 rpm of torque. On the road, the 1969 R 75/5 tips the scales at 210 kg and carries a 24-litre fuel tank. That's roughly 21 kg heavier than the average all-round motorcycle in our database. The full 1969 BMW R 75/5 spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.

1969 BMW R 75/5 compared with other bikes in the All-Round category

We checked the recorded figures for the 1969 BMW R 75/5 against up to 497 bikes in the All-Round category in our database, counting each model once at the model year nearest to this one.

Only 162 of the other 496 bikes in the All-Round category have a larger engine displacement than the 745 cc of the R 75/5.
With 36.8 kW, the R 75/5 has the joint 53rd highest power output of 146 bikes in the All-Round category, 16% above the category average of 31.9 kW.
Narrowing the field to the 11 models within five model years of it, the engine displacement of 745 cc is larger than that of 9 of the other 10.

1969 R 75/5 - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Strong power output: With 36.8 kW /50 hp @ 6200 rpm and 60 Nm @ 5000 rpm of torque on tap, the R 75/5 is no slouch for its class.
Large fuel range: A 24-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
Low-maintenance final drive: Running a shaft final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.

Considerations

Carburetor fuelling: Expect to spend more time keeping the carbs in tune, especially after long storage periods or a change in altitude.
Drum rear brake: Rear braking comes from a drum, not a disc - it does the job but won't match the feel or fade resistance of newer equivalents.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Heat management in traffic

Because the R 75/5 relies on airflow rather than a coolant jacket, expect noticeably more radiant heat at low speed and in traffic. It's inherent to air cooling, and ventilated gear largely offsets it.

Carburetor maintenance

Carburetors on the R 75/5 need periodic attention - pilot jets and float needles are the first parts to gum up after the bike sits, and the first thing to check if idle or throttle response degrades.

Suspension condition on used examples

The R 75/5's suspension runs Telescopic hydraulic forks at the front. The rear uses Long swinging arm with strut. 125mm wheel travel. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.

Final drive maintenance

The R 75/5 uses shaft final drive: essentially maintenance-free day to day, with periodic gear-oil changes the only real service item.

R 75/5 - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

Before handing over money for a used 1969 BMW R 75/5 with its 745 cc all-round, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, drivetrain wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. This model runs shaft final drive, so ask for proof the shaft-drive gear oil has been changed on schedule - it's easy to overlook since there's no chain to draw attention to it. Now 57 years old, this all-round is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy R 75/5 should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.

Oil and filter changes

Nothing protects the R 75/5's 745 cc four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed boxer, pushrod operated 2 valves per cylinder. like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). The sump holds 2.2 l, so budget for that volume of quality motorcycle-specific engine oil. With a 9.0:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.

Carburetor upkeep

Deposits in the carbs are the usual culprit behind poor running on a stored R 75/5 - strip and clean the float bowls before the first start. Pilot jets clog first and get overlooked most, so make a point of checking them.

1969 BMW R 75/5 - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 1969 BMW R 75/5 have?

The 1969 BMW R 75/5 uses a Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, pushrod operated 2 valves per cylinder. engine with 745 cc of displacement. It is air cooled.

How much does the 1969 BMW R 75/5 weigh?

The 1969 BMW R 75/5 weighs 210 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

How much power does the 1969 BMW R 75/5 make?

The 1969 BMW R 75/5 produces 36.8 kW /50 hp @ 6200 rpm of power and 60 Nm @ 5000 rpm of torque. These are peak figures.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1969 BMW R 75/5?

The 1969 BMW R 75/5 has a 24-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 400-480 km between stops.

What brakes does the 1969 BMW R 75/5 have?

The 1969 BMW R 75/5 uses 200mm Drum at the front and 200mm Drum at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 1969 BMW R 75/5 use?

The 1969 BMW R 75/5 runs 3.25 - S19 front and 4 - S18 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

What gearbox does the 1969 BMW R 75/5 have?

The 1969 BMW R 75/5 is fitted with a 4 Speed transmission.

How much oil does the 1969 BMW R 75/5 take?

The 1969 BMW R 75/5 takes 2.2 l of engine oil at a full oil and filter change. Always verify against the dipstick or sight glass after filling.

BMW R 75/5 Spec Evolution

The BMW R 75/5 was produced across 3 model years (1969-1972). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	1969	1971	1972
Wheel Travel - Front	208 mm / 8.2"	208 mm / 8.2"	208 mm / 8.2"
Wheel Travel - Rear	125 mm / 4.9"	125 mm / 4.9"	125 mm / 4.9"

Key Specifications

Engine

Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, pushrod operated 2 valves per cylinder.

Power

36.8 kW /50 hp @ 6200 rpm

Torque

60 Nm / 6.1 kgf-m / 44 ft lb @ 5000 rpm

Top Speed

Not recorded

Weight

210 kg / 463 lbs

Fuel Capacity

24 Litres / 6.3 US gal

Full 1969 BMW R 75/5 Specifications

Year 1969

Make BMW

Model R 75/5

Make Model BMW R 75/5

Oil Capacity (l) 2.2 l

Oil Capacity (Quarts) 2.3 Quarts

Fuel Capacity 24 Litres / 6.3 US gal

Wet Weight 210 kg / 463 lbs

Max Power 36.8 kW /50 hp @ 6200 rpm

Max Torque 60 Nm / 6.1 kgf-m / 44 ft lb @ 5000 rpm

Stroke 70.6 mm

Displacement 745 cc / 45.5 cu in.

Engine Detail Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, pushrod operated 2 valves per cylinder.

Bore x Stroke 82 x 70.6 mm

Compression Ratio 9.0:1

Cooling System Air cooled

Fuel Induction 2 x Bing constant depression carbutetors

Ignition Battery ignition

Starter Electric

Chain Size Shaft

Final Drive Shaft

Transmission / Drive 4 Speed

Fork Tube Size (mm) 36 mm

Fork Tube Size (in.) 1.42 in.

Suspension - Front Telescopic hydraulic forks

Suspension - Rear Long swinging arm with strut. 125mm wheel travel

Wheel Travel - Front 208 mm / 8.2"

Wheel Travel - Rear 125 mm / 4.9"

Tachometer Standard

Brakes - Front 200mm Drum

Brakes - Rear 200mm Drum

Tyres - Front 3.25 - S19

Tyres - Rear 4.00 - S18

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.

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