BMW R68

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1954 BMW R68
1953 BMW R68 SDT Special

The R68 was BMW's first post-war sports twin. Capable of sustained speeds of 100mph or more, it changed BMW's image from that of building well engineered but unexciting machines. With only 1,453 examples produced from 1952 to 1954, the R68 is an extremely rare machine.

1954 BMW R68.jpg
BMW R68
Manufacturer
BMW
Also called R 68
Production 1952 - 1954
Class Classic
Engine
two cylinder boxer, four-stroke
Bore / Stroke 72.0mm x 73.0mm
Compression ratio 8.0:1
Top Speed 71 mph (115 km/h)
Horsepower 35.13 HP (26.2 KW) @ 7000RPM
Ignition magneto
Transmission Gear box: 4-speed

Final Drive: shaft drive (cardan)

Clutch: single plate-saucer spring-dry
Suspension Front: cartridge
Rear: twin shock-plunger
Brakes Front: expanding brake (drum brake). duplex full hub
Rear: expanding brake (drum brake). simplex full hub
Front Tire 3.50 - 19
Rear Tire 3.5-19
Wheelbase 55.12 inches (1400 mm)
Length 83.86 inches (2130 mm)
Width 28.54 inches (725 mm)
Height 38.78 inches (985 mm)
Weight 202.0 kg (wet)
Fuel Capacity 4.49 Gallon (17.00 Liters)
Fuel Consumption 4.60 liters/100 km (21.7 km/l or 51.13 mpg)
Manuals Service Manual


The BMW R68 was a two cylinder boxer, four-stroke Classic motorcycle produced by BMW between 1952 and 1954. It could reach a top speed of 71 mph (115 km/h). Claimed horsepower was 35.13 HP (26.2 KW) @ 7000 RPM.

Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was a air cooled two cylinder boxer, four-stroke. A 72.0mm bore x 73.0mm stroke result in a displacement of just 594.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a overhead valves (ohv).

Drive[edit | edit source]

The bike has a 4-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the single plate-saucer spring-dry.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 3.50 - 19 front tire and a 3.5-19 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via expanding brake (drum brake). duplex full hub in the front and a expanding brake (drum brake). simplex full hub in the rear. The front suspension was a cartridge while the rear was equipped with a twin shock-plunger. The R68 was fitted with a 4.49 Gallon (17.00 Liters) fuel tank. The wheelbase was 55.12 inches (1400 mm) long.

1952 - 1954 BMW R 68[edit | edit source]

1952 - 1954 BMW R 68 1952 - 1954 BMW R 68 1952 - 1954 BMW R 68 1952 - 1954 BMW R 68

The 1952 BMW R 68 has, at its heart, an air-cooled, four-stroke, 594cc, boxer twin cylinder powerhouse mated to a four-speed manual transmission, and can produce a claimed 35 horsepower at 7000 rpm. In addition, this middle-class machine also comes with features such as a dual seat, laced wheels, a dual exhaust, passenger grab rails, a telescopic front fork, plunger shocks as a rear suspension, a large headlamp, full fenders and a blacked-out, steel frame.


In Media[edit | edit source]