The R60 and R60/2 are 600 cc boxer-twin that were manufactured from 1956 to 1969 in Munich , Germany , by BMW .
41-425: (Redirected from R-50 ) R50 or R-50 may refer to: Automobiles [ edit ] BMW R50 , a motorcycle Mini Hatch (R50) , a hatchback Nissan Pathfinder (R50) , a sport utility vehicle Toyota LiteAce (R50) , a van Venucia R50 , a hatchback Volkswagen Touareg R50 , a sport utility vehicle Other uses [ edit ] R50 (South Africa) ,
82-457: A first-person narrative , although the author is not identified. Father and son are also accompanied, for the first nine days of the journey, by close friends John and Sylvia Sutherland, with whom they part ways in Montana . The journey is punctuated by numerous philosophical discussions, referred to as Chautauquas by the author, on topics including epistemology , the history of philosophy, and
123-417: A 1974 interview with National Public Radio , Pirsig stated that the book took him four years to write. During two of these years, Pirsig continued working at his job of writing computer manuals. This caused him to adopt an unorthodox schedule, awakening very early and writing Zen from 2 a.m. until 6 a.m., then eating and going to his day job. He would sleep during his lunch break and then go to bed around 6 in
164-483: A cross brace. Those sold elsewhere came with low, Euro handlebars. A variety of saddle styles were available for these motorcycles. Those delivered in the U. S. typically were supplied with a single "dual" or bench saddle, either the standard size or a wide version that came with chrome rear-quarter passenger handles. Alternatives available included a Denfeld ( not "Denfield") or Pagusa solo driver's saddle, or individual driver and passenger saddles. BMW motorcycles of
205-633: A greater quality of life . It has been noted that Pirsig's romantic/classical dichotomy resembles Nietzsche 's Dionysian/Apollonian dichotomy as described in The Birth of Tragedy . For example, in his book The Person of the Therapist , Edward Smith writes, "In his popular novel ... Pirsig also addressed the Apollonian and Dionysian worldviews, naming them respectively classical understanding and romantic understanding." Beverly Gross (1984) writes that Pirsig
246-452: A minor setback might result from a minor injury. Worse setbacks include the lack of knowledge that a certain procedural action or condition is necessary for a project's success: If one attempts to keep working despite the lack of knowledge that this obstacle exists (let alone how to deal with it), one's lack of progress may prompt one to take long breaks from the project, to focus one's attention on other endeavors, or even to lose interest in
287-486: A profoundly important one—a great one even—full of insights into our most perplexing contemporary dilemmas. I just don't know. But whatever its true philosophical worth, it is intellectual entertainment of the highest order. Since then, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance has become the best-selling philosophy book of all time. Pirsig's 1966 Honda CB77 Super Hawk , on which the 1968 ride with his son Chris which inspired
328-465: A rich mixture. He recognizes that the higher elevation is causing the engine to run rich. The narrator rectifies this by installing new jets and adjusting the valves , and the engine runs well again. The narrator examines the modern pursuit of "Pure Truths", claiming it derives from the work of early Greek philosophers who were establishing the concept of truth in opposition to the force of " The Good ". He argues that although rational thought may find
369-689: A road HMS Venus (R50) , a destroyer of the Royal Navy R-50, the ASHRAE designation for methane as a refrigerant R50: Very toxic to aquatic organisms , a risk phrase R50, a commuter rail service on the Llobregat–Anoia Line , in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain R50, a Ferris wheel designed by Ronald Bussink Canon EOS R50 , crop-frame mirrorless camera [REDACTED] Topics referred to by
410-424: A second edition published in 2004. In the book " Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance ", John and Sylvia Sutherland accompany Robert Pirsig , the author, and his son Chris, on a 1968 road trip from Minnesota to San Francisco, riding a BMW R60. Throughout the book Pirsig contrasts his passion and care in taking care of his bike to John's fear of technology: "The BMW is famous for not giving mechanical problems on
451-404: A specific aspect of a problem by taking a short break from working on the problem or that specific aspect of it. Pirsig notes several aspects of hang-ups. At the time of its publication, Christopher Lehmann-Haupt , in his book review for The New York Times , wrote, I now regret that I lack the expertise in philosophy to put Mr. Pirsig's ideas to a proper test, for this book may very well be
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#1732851454821492-463: A truth (or The Truth) it may never be applicable completely and universally to every individual's experience; therefore what is needed is a method of thought that is more inclusive and has a wider range of application. He makes a case that originally the Greeks did not distinguish between "Quality" and "Truth"—they were one and the same, arete —and that the divorce was, in fact, artificial (though needed at
533-539: Is a work of fictionalized autobiography and the first of Pirsig's texts in which he discusses his concept of Quality . The title is an apparent play on the title of the 1948 book Zen in the Art of Archery by Eugen Herrigel . In its introduction, Pirsig explains that, despite its title, "it should in no way be associated with that great body of factual information relating to orthodox Zen Buddhist practice. It's not very factual on motorcycles , either." Pirsig received 121 rejections before an editor finally accepted
574-609: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages BMW R50 Some 20,133 of these 600 cc shaft-drive, opposed twin R60 (1956–1960, 28 hp or 21 kW), R60/2 (1960–1969, 30 hp or 22 kW), and R60US (1968–1969, 30 hp) were built. These models, except for those with the "US" designation, were designed primarily as rugged motorcycles to pull sidecars (mounting points were built in) and had duplex tubular steel frames. Simultaneously manufactured were related models, including
615-410: Is seeking a synthesis of "the normal, everyday, functioning self with the person given to extremes, excesses, dizzying heights, obsessions—our crazy self with our sane self, the greatness in us with our ordinariness". The exceptional in the narrator is represented by Phaedrus, who, despite the narrator's attempt to keep him in the past, becomes a major item of his thought toward the book's end, threatening
656-423: Is technically incorrect. Not all of them, as seen above, have the "/2" designation. Perhaps the most famous BMW rider of the 1960s was Danny Liska, who took R60 models from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego in one trip, and from Europe's North Cape to South Africa's Cape of Good Hope in a second journey. His book about the first trip, Two Wheels to Adventure (Alaska to Argentina by Motorcycle) , was published in 1989 with
697-443: Is the primary victim of the "gumption trap," the first two suffer indirectly in that a reduction in initiative results in a reduction in constructive activity and therefore inhibits one's development of the first two traits. Pirsig goes on to inform his readers that the "trap" portion of the term refers to the positive feedback loop that the event or mindset creates: the reduction in the person's enthusiasm and initiative decreases both
738-537: The clutch was dry, there were seals at the rear of the crankshaft, at both ends of the transmission, at the rear of the driveshaft, and at the front and rear of the rear drive unit: many seals developed leaks. The front brakes were double leading shoes, and the rear had a single leading shoe. By modern standards, they were not good brakes. Tires, front and rear, were interchangeable in 3.50 inch by 18 inch size. Motorcycles sold in America had high handlebars with
779-526: The philosophy of science . Many of these discussions are accompanied by information concerning the narrator's own past self, who is referred to in the third person as Phaedrus (after Plato's dialogue ). Phaedrus, a teacher of creative and technical writing at Montana State College , became engrossed in the question of what defines good writing, and what in general defines good, or "Quality", which he understands similar to Tao . Phaedrus's philosophical investigations eventually caused him to become insane, and he
820-407: The "classical" narrator has an older motorcycle which he is usually able to diagnose and repair himself through the use of rational problem-solving skills. For example, when the narrator and his friends come into Miles City, Montana he notices the engine running roughly, a possible indication that the fuel/air mixture is too rich . The next day he notes that both spark plugs are black, confirming
861-615: The 1960s were noted as long-distance touring motorcycles . However, none came standard with fairings or luggage; these items were provided by aftermarket vendors. Fairings included the Wixom Ranger handlebar-mounted fairing made in Illinois, and Avon. There were numerous manufacturers of saddle bags and top cases for BMW twins in the 1960s including Wixom, British-made Craven, and leather saddlebags imported by Butler and Smith, who also offered several styles of luggage carriers for mounting behinds
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#1732851454821902-406: The 1960s, very few motorcycles were available with shaft final drive. BMW's were the most common. The driveshaft rode in an enclosed oil bath within the right swingarm , unlike BMW's previous models, and drove the rear wheel through an internally splined cup that meshes with a coupler crown gear keyed to the drive pinion. This meant that leaking seals could become a problem for the owners. Because
943-693: The 500 cc R50 (1955–1960, 26 hp or 19 kW), the R50/2 (1960–1969, 26 hp), the R50 S (1960–1962, 35 hp or 26 kW), the R50US (1968–1969, 26 hp), and the 600 cc sport-oriented R69 (1955–1960, 35 hp), R69S (1960–1969, 42 hp or 31 kW), and R69US (1968–1969, 42 hp). In the United States, all these Earles-fork and US-fork (i.e., telescopic fork) models from 1955 to 1969 are often lumped together as "Slash-2" BMWs, even though that
984-599: The Earles fork gave the old Beemer a steady and reassuring ride. In 1968, BMW introduced telescopic forks on some of its slash-2 models, and they were continued into the 1969 model year. Modified, they became the front forks on the slash-5 models introduced for the 1970 model year. The photo of the red R60US to the right was taken at a BMW dealership in 1968 and shows a brand-new motorcycle waiting for its first buyer. Earles fork and telescopic fork models both were manufactured for these two years and were available to customers. During
1025-436: The associated concept plays an important part in the practical application of his Metaphysics of Quality . Pirsig refers to two types of gumption traps: setbacks , which arise from external/"exogenous" events, and hang-ups , which are the product of internal/"endogenous" factors such as a poor fit between one's psychological state and the requirements of a project. The nature of setbacks can vary considerably. For example,
1066-407: The book for publication—and he did so thinking it would never generate a profit. 50,000 copies sold in the first three months, and more than 5 million in the decades since. The book is a fictionalized autobiography of a 17-day journey that Pirsig made with his Honda CB77 motorcycle from Minnesota to Northern California along with his son Chris in 1968. The story of this journey is recounted in
1107-547: The book was taken, was acquired by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History , along with the book's original manuscript, a signed first edition, and tools and clothing from the ride. In April 2024 the motorcycle went on public display for the first time, in the museum's largest exhibition "America on the Move", along with Pirsig's manual typewriter and an Apple II computer to which he made upgrades. The exhibition celebrates
1148-482: The ends of the handlebars showing light both forward and back. The standard fuel tank held 17 L (3.7 imp gal; 4.5 US gal), though a commonly purchased option was a more bulbous 25 L (5.5 imp gal; 6.6 US gal) tank. Also available as options were sport tanks of 26 L (5.7 imp gal; 6.9 US gal) and 30 L (6.6 imp gal; 7.9 US gal) capacities. An oval shaped safety bar (photo right)
1189-459: The evening. Pirsig joked that his co-workers noticed that he was "a lot less perky" than everyone else. In the book, the narrator describes the "romantic" consideration of life of his friend, John Sutherland, who chooses not to learn how to maintain his expensive new motorcycle. John simply hopes for the best with his bike, and when problems do occur he often becomes frustrated and is forced to rely on professional mechanics to repair it. In contrast,
1230-440: The narrator's stability and relationship with his son. However, the narrator's difficulties with his son during the journey also question whether surrendering parts of himself in exchange for "sanity" has even helped this relationship. Gross writes, "He relates to mechanical things, not to people. There is beauty in his recognition that personality inheres in motorcycles, riding gloves; there is sadness and sickness in his removal from
1271-465: The passenger saddle. It also offered several styles of windshields, safety bars, a spotlight, metric tool kits, and a mechanical tachometer. U.S. motorcycles came standard with a narrow dual saddle, though wide dual saddles with chrome rear handles could be ordered. Solo saddles made by Pagusa or Denfeld for driver and passenger were also available. All motorcycles came with a tool kit. Hella turn signals were optional (photo below left), and were mounted at
R50 - Misplaced Pages Continue
1312-410: The person's likelihood of success in that project and the degree of success likely, thus doubly affecting the expected outcome of the person's efforts. The usual result further discourages the person, whether it be a mere lack of success or a bigger outright failure complete with embarrassment and loss of the resources initially invested . The specific term "gumption trap" was invented by Pirsig, and
1353-467: The personality of people, his own most notably". The Chautauquas, which emphasize the narrator's tendency toward solitary thought and over-analysis, may reflect his avoidance of the problems before him: his relationships and the resurrection of Phaedrus. To the extent that the narrator denies Phaedrus, the Chautauquas are practical, but when he decides that he will admit himself to hospital again, he realizes
1394-447: The project altogether. Pirsig suggests preventing these kinds of gumption traps by being slow and meticulous, taking notes that might help later, and troubleshooting in advance ( e.g. , by laying out the requirements for one's project in logical and/or conceptual order and looking for procedural problems ranging from unaccounted-for prerequisites to gaps in one's instructions or plans). Hang-ups stem from internal factors that can get in
1435-433: The road and that's what he is counting on." Though BMW first used oil-damped telescopic front forks in the 1930s, it chose to use Earles forks on these models. The triangular front Earles fork, named after its designer, Englishman Ernest Earles, precluded any front-end dive during heavy front braking, which is common with telescopic front forks. It also worked well in sidecar duty. Though heavy and ponderous in turning,
1476-448: The same term This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title formed as a letter–number combination. If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=R50&oldid=1208166032 " Category : Letter–number combination disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description
1517-449: The time) and is now a source of much frustration and unhappiness in the world, particularly overall dissatisfaction with modern life. The narrator explains that he seeks a perception of the world that embraces both the rational and the romantic, and that he seeks to demonstrate that rationality and Zen-like "being in the moment" can harmoniously coexist. He suggests such a combination of rationality and romanticism can potentially result in
1558-416: The undeniable presence of Phaedrus in him, and the Chautauquas are given over to those more abstruse topics. According to the author, a gumption trap is an event or mindset that can cause a person to lose enthusiasm and become discouraged from starting or continuing a project. The word "gumption" denotes a combination of common sense, shrewdness, and a sense of initiative. Although the last of these traits
1599-404: The way of starting or completing a project. Examples of such hang-ups include anxiety, boredom, impatience, and the failure (often borne of excessive egotism ) to realize that a ) one might not have all the information necessary to succeed and/or b ) certain aspects of the problem might be more or less important than one believes. Dealing with hang-ups can be as simple as reducing hyperfocus on
1640-468: Was available for all 1955–69 BMW motorcycles from the American importer, Butler and Smith, New York. Engine Numbers Engine Power Transmission Electrical System Suspension Dimensions and Weights Performance Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values is a book by Robert M. Pirsig first published in 1974. It
1681-413: Was subjected to electroconvulsive therapy , which permanently changed his personality. Towards the end of the book, Phaedrus's strong and unorthodox personality, presented as dangerous to the narrator, becomes more apparent and the narrator is reconciled with his past. Pirsig wrote most of the book while living above a shoe store in south Minneapolis , while working as a tech writer for Honeywell . In