BMW R68
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.
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Manufacturer | BMW |
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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) |
Horse Power | 35.13 HP (26.2 KW) @ 7000RPM |
Ignition type | magneto |
Battery | 8.1:1 |
Transmission | Gear box: 4-speed Final Drive: shaft drive (cardan) |
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) |
Dimensions | L 83.86 inches (2130 mm) W 28.54 inches (725 mm) H 38.78 inches (985 mm) |
Weight | (dry), 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 |
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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
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
The bike has a 4-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the single plate-saucer spring-dry.
Chassis
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
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.