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BMW Classic Motorcycles
The first BMW motorcycle the
R 32 is a big surprise. BMW, a company rooted
in the production of aircraft engines, was
not even two years old when the Peace Treaty
of Versailles banned the production of aircraft
engines in Germany in June 1919. The company
was no longer permitted to produce its six-cylinder,
226 bhp, 19-litre engines and was restricted
in 1920 to producing 500cc power units developing
6.5 bhp. The horizontally-opposed cylinder
layout became known as a Boxer and was supplied
to motorcycle manufacturer, Victoria, in Nuremberg
in 1921 and Bayerische Flugzeug Werke, who
fitted the BMW engine and transmission into
their Helios model. More
BMW Motorcycle History | BMW
K Series History
Bike |
Image |
Description |
1928 BMW R-42 |
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1934 BMW R2 |
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This was the first BMW to feature
a single cylinder engine, establishing
a tradition that would last until 1967
of there being at least one overhead
valve single in the BMW range.
The new model incorporated features
found on the twins, including unit construction
for the engine and three speed gearbox
and shaft drive. A pressed steel duplex
frame equipped with pressed steel forks
was employed again reflecting the larger
machines. Developing 6 bhp the new model
would remain in production until 1936
and formed the basis for later, larger
displacement singles.
Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.
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1935 BMW R35, 250cc |
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BMW R35
gallery |
1936 BMW R12 |
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1937 BMW R6 |
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1938 BMW R12 sidecar |
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750cc |
1938 BMW R71, 750cc |
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1938 BMW R23 |
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1939 BMW R51 |
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1941 BMW R71 |
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1943 BMW R75 |
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German war motorcycle sidecar WWII.
BMW were already producing a number
of popular and highly effective motorcycles,
and developed the R75 in response to
a request from the German army for a
machine more capable in off-road conditions.
BMW developed a technically advanced
machine in which the third side-car
wheel was driven from an axle connected
to the rear wheel of the motorcycle,
effectively making it a three-wheeled
vehicle. Fitted with a locking differential
and selectable road and off-road gear
ratios the R75 was highly manoeuvrable
and capable of negotiating most surfaces.
It was even fitted with a reverse gear. |
1943 BMW R75 |
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1951 BMW R67
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BMW introduced a single cylinder
250cc machine, the R24 in 1948 and followed
it with an over head valve, horizontally
opposed twin displacing 500cc in 1950,
typed the R51. The new machine featured
plunger rear suspension and telescopic
front forks and was followed in 1951
by a visually identical model displacing
594cc typed the R67. The enlarged model
produced a claimed 26bhp at 5,500 rpm
compared to the smaller machines 24bhp
at 5,800 rpm resulting in an increased
top speed from 87 mph to 93mph and would
remain in production until 1956, undergoing
two revisions during that time.
Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.
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1951 BMW R67 |
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1953 BMW R68 |
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1954 BMW R51/3, 600cc |
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1954 BMW R51/3 |
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500cc. |
1954 BMW Rennsport |
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1955 BMW R25/3 |
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Single Cylinder. BMW
R25 gallery |
1955 BMW R50 |
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BMW R50
gallery |
1956 BMW R26 |
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250cc.
Image supplied by www.andybuysbikes.com
BMW
R26 Gallery |
1960 BMW R60 US |
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600cc. BMW
R60 gallery |
1961 BMW R27 |
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The R27 was the last of the 250cc singles
made by BMW, and is widely held as the
best of them all. It had the most power,
and the engine and drive train was, for
the first time, suspended on rubber mounts!
Making the ride much smoother than the
previous R26. |
1965 BMW R69S, 594cc |
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BMW R69
gallery |
1966 BMW R27 |
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250cc. This bike was sold new by
Roman Cycle Shop, Inc. on May 10th,
1966 and purchased back off the original
buyer in 1969 with 102 actual miles.
This is a like new 41 year old bike
complete with tool kit, tire repair
kit, owners manual, BMW shop rag, and
a copy of the original bill of sale.
Picture provided by Roman Cycle Shop,
Youngstown, Ohio. |
1967 BMW R69 |
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1969 BMW 600 |
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With Earls forks and all aluminium Stoyer
sidecar. |
1973 BMW R90/6 |
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899cc, 44 Kw. BMW
R90 gallery |
1974 BMW Model R75/5 |
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BMW R75
gallery |
1976 BMW R900/6 |
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1977 BMW R100/7, 1000cc |
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1977 BMW R100S |
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BMW
R100S road test |
1977 BMW R75/7 |
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BMW
R75/7 road test |
BMW 100RS |
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Engine - 990cc, air-oil cooled Boxer
twin
Top Speed - 125mph (201kph)
Launched - 1977-1985
Maximum Power - 75bhp
BMW
R100RS gallery |
1978 BMW R80/7, 800cc |
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BMW R80
gallery |
1979 BMW R100 RT |
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998cc
BMW
R100RT Gallery |
1980 BMW R45 |
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475cc.
BMW
R45 Gallery |
BMW R65 |
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Engine - 649cc, 4-stroke F-twin
Top Speed - 110mph
Dry Weight - 182kg (400lb)
Launched - 1979-1988
Maximum Power - 50bhp
Fuel Consumption - 50mpg
BMW R65
gallery |
1980 BMW R100 |
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- Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally
opposed Boxer air-cooled, 2 valves
per cylinder
- 198kg
- 5 speed
- 66bhp @ 7000rpm
BMW
R100 Gallery |
1980 BMW R100S |
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The bike is standard apart from progressive
front fork springs and a floating rear
brake disc. |
1983 BMW K100 |
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BMW
K100 Gallery |
1983 BMW K 100RT |
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- Four-stroke, horizontal in line
four cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC,
2 valves per cylinder
- 246kg
- 214kmh
- 5 speed
- 90bhp @ 8000rpm
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1984 BMW 650 RT |
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1984 BMW K100RS |
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BMW
K100RS gallery |
1985 BMW K Series RS1000 |
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1986 BMW K75C |
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750cc. BMW
K75 gallery |
1987 BMW K100 RS |
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Image kindly provided by Paul Close,
www.paul-close.com. |
1988 BMW K100 RT |
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1988 BMW K100 LT |
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980cc.
BMW
K 100LT Gallery |
BMW K1 |
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BMW
K1 Gallery |
BMW Sidecar Outfit
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With the banning of superchargers
BMW's horizontally opposed twin cylinder
engine struggled to make an impact in
solo road racing, although it would
meet with considerable success in long
distance, endurance based events. However,
the design characteristics that hampered
its employment in solo competition proved
to be an advantage when installed in
a combination, particularly so with
the appearance of the "kneeler"
style chassis. The horizontal cylinders
ensured good cooling for the engine
and also contributed to keeping the
overall height of the engine to a minimum.
This enabled the power unit to be mounted
in the lowest possible position, to
the benefit of the centre of gravity
and when employed in a kneeler chassis,
ensured that the machines overall height
was kept to a minimum. The shaft drive
and bevel gear final drive box could
deal reliably with the engines high
torque output, enabling it to be exploited
to the full by the driver, whilst the
handling quirks that afflicted solo
shaft driven machines were negated by
the third wheel.
From 1954 to 1974 BMW powered combinations
secured the World Championship 19 times.
A consequence of this success at the
highest level was that BMW powered outfits
began to appear in national and club
level races. Powered by the reliable
overhead valve road engines instead
of the exotic twin overhead cam units
employed by the factory supported riders
at international level. This example
of an overhead valve powered machine
benefits from a Rennsport transmission
and is housed in a chassis that reflects
the designs of those built by Dieter
Busch. It is attractively presented
in white and black.
Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.
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if you have a picture worth adding to our
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