1925, BMW R32,.......

nobody@flickr.com (Hans Viveen) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 00:18:37 -0700

1925, BMW R32, 494cc transverse flat twin frame # 3588 engine # 33297

The BMW R32 was the first motorcycle produced by BMW under the BMW name.
An aircraft engine manufacturer during World War I, BMW was forced to diversify after the Treaty of Versailles banned the German air force and German aircraft manufacture.
BMW initially turned to industrial engine design and manufacturing.
In 1919, BMW designed and manufactured the flat-twin M2B15 engine for Victoria Werke AG of Nuremberg.
The engine was initially intended as a portable industrial engine, but found its main use in Victoria motorcycles.
The engine was also used in the Helios motorcycle built by Bayerisch Flugzeug, which was later merged into BMW AG.
After the merger, General Director of BMW Franz Josef Popp asked Design Director Max Friz to assess the Helios motorcycle.
Upon completing his assessment, Friz suggested to Popp that the best thing that could be done with the Helios would be to dump it in the nearest lake.
More specifically, Friz condemned the Douglas-style transverse-crankshaft layout, which heavily restricted the cooling of the rear cylinder. Popp and Friz then agreed to a near-term solution of redesigning the Helios to make it more saleable and a long-term solution of an all new motorcycle design.
This new design was designated the BMW R32 and began production in 1923, becoming the first motorcycle to be badged as a BMW.
In all some 3100 R 32 machines were built.
The engine produced 8.5 hp @3300 rpm which propelled the R32 to a top speed of 95 km/h (59 mph).
The engine and gear box formed a single unit.
The new engine featured a recirculating wet sump oiling system at a time when most motorcycle manufacturers used a total-loss oiling system.
Front brake is a 150 mm drum brake, the rear wheel is stopped by a V-block brake.
Total weight of this excellently restored and rare vintage BMW is 120 kg.

Source: www.yesterdays.nl

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1925, BMW R32,.......