SPECTACULAR RENNSPORT RED

1974 BMW R60/6

Nationally Judged 99.5-Point Concours Restoration by Master BMW Craftsman Ted Smith

Museum Quality. National Award Winner.

Considered to be the Finest BMW R60/6 Available Anywhere in the World.

If you've been searching for the ultimate BMW Airhead to add to your collection, your search ends here.

Offered for sale is an absolutely stunning 1974 BMW R60/6, meticulously restored by legendary BMW restoration expert Ted Smith, former President of the Yankee Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America and one of the most respected BMW craftsmen in the country.

This is not simply a restored motorcycle—this is a nationally judged, concours-level masterpiece.

National Award-Winning Provenance

Included with the motorcycle are three separate national judging reports documenting scores of:

• 99.5 Points

• 99.25 Points

• 98.5 Points

These scores place this BMW among the finest examples ever judged and represent a level of authenticity and attention to detail rarely seen outside of factory museum collections.

Comprehensive Frame-Off Restoration

This R60/6 underwent a complete nut-and-bolt restoration requiring approximately 150 hours of labor, a figure Ted considers conservative.

To duplicate this restoration today would require:

• Over $20,000 in professional labor

• More than $10,000 in documented parts and restoration expenses

• Countless hours sourcing correct components

• Would Cost Over $30,000.00 For us to Duplicate this restoration

Accompanying the bike is a large collection of receipts documenting over $6,500 in parts purchases, along with a $3,000 professional paint restoration, for nearly $10,000 invested in documented parts & paint expenses alone.

Engine and Mechanical Restoration

The engine was completely rebuilt from top to bottom.

Work performed includes:

• New pistons and rings

• New main bearings

• Complete gasket and seal replacement

• Rebuilt clutch assembly

• New kickstart quadrant

• Fully rebuilt carburetors restored by Bing, the original manufacturer

• Modern upgraded alternator

• Electronic solid-state ignition system utilizing a crankshaft-triggered magnetic pickup for exceptionally precise ignition timing

• Complete fuel system restoration

• New internal fuel strainers

The result is a motorcycle that starts easily, runs flawlessly, and performs exactly as a properly restored BMW should.

Suspension, Chassis and Running Gear

Every major component has been restored or rebuilt, including:

• Completely rebuilt front forks

• New steering head bearings

• New wheel bearings

• Restored original wheels

• New stainless-steel spokes

• Brand-new Metzeler tires

• Rebuilt braking system

• Complete chassis restoration

Every aspect of the motorcycle has been addressed to concours standards.

Exceptional Attention to Detail

What separates Ted Smith restorations from ordinary restorations are the details.

Examples include:

• Original white finish retained underneath the fenders, exactly as delivered from BMW

• Beautiful NOS (New Old Stock) gauges installed

• Correctly restored switchgear and controls

• New complete exhaust system

• Restored fuel tank with pristine interior

• Complete toolkit

• Hand-fabricated brass hardware beneath the seat replacing factory plastic fasteners

• Beautifully restored under-seat area worthy of display on mirrors at concours events

The craftsmanship is evident everywhere you look.

Museum Display Motorcycle

The motorcycle has spent much of its recent life on display at the New England Motorcycle Museum, where it has been preserved as part of Ted Smith's world-renowned BMW collection.

The fuel system was properly drained prior to long-term display, batteries were maintained on tenders, and upon recommissioning the bike fired immediately and performed exactly as expected.

Ultra-Low Mileage

The odometer currently shows approximately 7 miles since restoration.

When removed from museum display, it showed only a few miles. The motorcycle has been carefully test ridden and preserved but remains essentially a freshly restored concours machine.

Ted Smith Collection Provenance

Several years ago, six motorcycles from Ted Smith's collection were sold to a single collector for $340,000, reflecting the extraordinary reputation these restorations enjoy among serious BMW enthusiasts.

Collectors recognize Ted's motorcycles as some of the finest restored BMWs available anywhere.

Investment Grade Collector Motorcycle

Whether you're:

• Building a premier BMW collection

• Looking for a national show competitor

• Seeking a museum-quality investment motorcycle

• Searching for the finest R60/6 available

This motorcycle represents an opportunity that rarely comes along.

Finding another BMW R60/6 restored to this standard would be difficult.

Finding one with documented national judging scores approaching perfection may be impossible.

Financing and Shipping

Financing is available through Freedom Road Financial for qualified buyers.

Nationwide enclosed, licensed, and insured shipping is available anywhere in the continental United States.

We work with the same professional transport companies that have safely delivered some of the most valuable motorcycles in the country.

Contact Information

For additional information, or assistance with financing and shipping arrangements, contact:

Kaplan Cycles
860-454-7024

Ask for Kenny Kaplan Jr.

We will gladly assist with every aspect of the purchase process.

Final Thoughts

Motorcycles like this do not come along often.

This is more than a motorcycle—it is the product of a lifetime of BMW passion, craftsmanship, and dedication from one of the most respected restoration experts in the hobby.

If you demand the very best, this 1974 BMW R60/6 deserves your attention.

Good luck bidding.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.