Within the years main as much as 1921, a few years earlier than BMW started to make bikes in 1923, they have been supplying “boxer” twin engines to airplane builders and motorbike producers. As a bike producer, BMW is 100 years outdated in 2023.
Max Friz was the Chief Design Engineer beginning with the corporate, Bavarian Motor Works at its inception in 1916. Friz’s focus was designing plane engines. However when BMW started to fabricate full bikes, he helped engineer the brand new mannequin R32 proven on the 1932 Paris Motor Present. The R32 had its opposed twin engine mounted with its crankshaft in line and used a three-speed transmission by an open drive-shaft. The engine featured sealed lubrication, was not “complete loss” like most producers have been nonetheless utilizing. Over time 5 variations of the R11 have been made with this machine, a 1934 mannequin, being the ultimate.
A little bit early BMW chassis historical past: Continued growth had introduced the introduction of the attention-grabbing pressed metal body in 1929. In 1935 the telescopic fork changed the main hyperlink fork for the brand new R12 and R17, however only for awhile. In 1936 got here the tubular body and in 1938 the telescopic, or “plunger” rear suspension. In 1955 the standard swing-arm design body turned customary for all manufacturing BMW road bikes. This was about six years after Norton started experimenting with swingarms on the Manx manufacturing highway racer. And so many, however not all BMW design components have been set for many years to come back.
The origins of BMW are actually 100 years outdated. Whereas their bikes appear related over time; black paint/white pinstripes, shaft drive, many “boxer” engine designs, plunger rear suspensions with main hyperlink forks, we’d suppose, there are attention-grabbing improvements alongside the way in which. And whereas they now appear extremely profitable, two European wars, a nationwide melancholy and a interval when their machines have been outdated and sluggish sellers in America, BMW surmounted these issues. Their subtle design work even consists of “making” niches, corresponding to “journey touring,” and one may argue BMW provided one of many authentic “sport touring” bikes. And borrowing from others within the trade they developed throughout the body 4 and six-cylinder machines within the final 15 years or so.
The Nationwide Motorbike Museum has many advantageous European bikes together with classics like this advantageous 1934 BMW R11 from the Jill and John Parham Assortment. The R11 is actually a machine to kneel beside to soak up its distinctive particulars, imagining it on the drafting board over 80 years in the past. It will probably be amongst lots of of bikes and 1000’s of items of memorabilia provided within the John Parham Property Assortment Mecum Public sale on the Nationwide Motorbike Museum, Anamosa, Iowa, September 6 – 9, 2023. Look ahead to data on the Mecum Auctions web site, Mecum.com. For schedule data or to register as a bidder for this and all Mecum occasions, go to Mecum.com, or name (262) 275-5050 for extra data.
Specs:
- Engine: 4 Stroke Opposed Twin
- Induction: Aspect-valve Heads
- Bore & Stroke: 78mm x 78mm
- Displacement: 745cc’s
- Carburetion: Amal 6/406SP
- Lubrication: Pressurized / Moist Sump
- Compression Ratio: 5.5:1
- Horsepower: 20HP
- Clutch: Twin Plate, Dry
- Transmission: 3-Velocity / Tank Shift
- Ignition: Battery / Elective Magneto
- Electrics: Bosch Generator
- Beginning: Kick
- Body: Pressed Metal / Double Loop
- Suspension: Leaf Spring Fork / Sprung Seat
- Wheels/Tires: 3.50 x 26 / 3.50 x 26
- Entrance Brake: 200mm Drum
- Rear Brake: 55mm Band on Drive Shaft
- Wheelbase: 54.5 Inches
- Weight: 356 PoundsTop Velocity: 69 MPH
As a result of location on an elevated pedestal, the photographs of this week’s featured bike have been taken in place within the Museum.