Truly a grand title, the life of a historian isn’t always glamorous. Or hardly ever, speaking from a personal viewpoint, and the span between exciting new discoveries can run long. There was no warning that the study and recording often sends the compiler back in time – isolated from modern events and trends. Creeping in, doubts can lead to feeling if it’s all worth the trouble, yet the results always prove it was time well spent. Here’s being absolutely sure Holland’s Han van Kammen, author of the Labitzke Registry can relate. Displaying remarkable dedication and focus, Kammen processed then published this important info from the ground up. Why is it important? One explanation describes motorcycling’s foundation being built and raised piece by piece, block by block. There, shaded between 1969 and 1973, lives a previously forgotten section bearing the name of Otto Labitzke.

Eight months ago I’d never heard of a Labitzke or Han, yet the story he’s since shared about this special production opened new windows, and with an instantly recognizable pattern of development verses issue. Here again, Han takes the reader into that golden age otherwise known as the Superbike Seventies, and pointing a red arrow at the Honda 750 Four. Caught in an industry-wide game of catch up, the Euro responses and Asian counter-responses defined the excitement of that era, and many amazingly profound motorcycles emerged. But, for a select number of Germany’s faithful, BMW‘s flagship R75/5 landed just a bit short of the target.    

Leading up to the part where Labitzke does something about it, the collection opens with introductions, including the Forward from a certain US journalist. Some brand history comes next, with vintage factory photos, prototypes and a brief model history. Moving across time, Otto Labitzke’s background as a wrench, racer, tuner and dealer are folded in, the bikes displayed in various stages of development. Tested by Motorrad more than once, the quoted text from 1972 proves very favorable; “In the late summer of 1970 we were already driving a newly designed R 75/5 by Otto Labitzke (see issue 22/1970) especially prepared for use in serial machine races.” The editors continued, saying; “Labitzke’s S-type in its current form isn’t primarily intended for racing, although it won’t be ruled out. With a set of sports pistons compression is brought up to 9.3, the flywheel is carefully balanced (with alternator attached) and the connecting rods polished and balanced. Moving higher, the cylinder heads are ported and connect the factory 32mm CV carbs (instead of the racer’s 36mm) a Sports camshaft, polished and lightened rockers, etc. Among all these changes, the only outwardly visible change is oil pan extension ring, increasing capacity to three liters. Also new are different parts for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears, netting a ‘short-ratio’ gearbox. Clearly, Labitzke’s experiments are working, and has now discovered the possibility of the tuned R 75/5 Sports – intended for use outside sporting events but just as fast as the series racing machine we tested two years ago.”   

First spotted and described in more detail within our 2024 Mecum Auction report, my introduction to the Labitzke story is one of three specials imported into the USA by Leon Jordan of San Francisco BMW. Truly a stunner and finished using available aftermarket fittings, much the same could be done to an incomplete 70’s Toaster or parts bin project – all made far easier with the technical specifications listed in this registry. “With its boosted engine and slick CR gearbox, the Labitzke Special was faster than my dad’s R90/S,” said Joel Field. Critical in my research of the bike and in steering me towards contact with Han van Kamman, Field’s father was largely responsible for saving the Labitzke BMW from a life of anonymity. For the enthusiast, recognizing Otto Labitzke’s work to make the BMW far more competitive against 1972’s fastest superbikes is time well spent – especially considering the bike didn’t lose any of its reliability, smoothness or durability. Much like Duilio Agostini’s V1000 Le Mans, the Otto Labitzke BMW was a statement machine.

Purchasing a Labitzke special years before then finding out later what it was, Han van Kammen has dug, collected, organized and posted every scrap of Labitzke R75/5 S info he could find – printed, posted, mailed or supplied by the author himself. Exhausting every available lead, Han kicked the research up a gear by establishing the Labitzke Registry, including and illustrating (when possible) a good percentage of the twenty-four specials made until Labitzke’s unfortunate passing in 1973. Packed with neat side features like classic English and German sports fairings and info on WÜDO’s line of repop Labitzke bodywork, this book generates appeal all across the vintage bike spectrum. Especially to those drawn to BMW’s iconic, first issue Airhead boxer. “Simply put, I felt the Labitzke story and its impact on BMW was just too profound to be forgotten,” says Han. “In this case, I’ve made an effort to insure information on Otto Labitzke and his motorcycles is available for future generations.” Spiral bound and printed on heavy, glossy stock, the price of €20.00 (plus shipping) is a genuine bargain. My hard copy is in Dutch, but email Han at labitzke.special.register@outlook.com for options on English language PDF versions or infos on the newest revisions. Nolan Woodbury

The Labitzke Special Register

Han van Kammen

To Order: Email: labitzke.special.register@outlook.com

Price: €20.00 + shipping (International available)

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