BMW R27

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BMW R27

The BMW R27 was a 250cc single cylinder motorcycle made by BMW beginning in 1960.

Description

Based largely on the R26, in 1960 the R27 added rubber mounts for the engine and boosted power to 18 hp (13 kW). The R27's 250 cc OHV vertical single was the only rubber-mounted thumper engine BMW ever produced, and was their last shaft drive single-cylinder motorcycle. The engine pumped out 18 hp (13 kW), the highest ever for a shaft-drive BMW single. BMW manufactured 15,364 R27 models (engine numbers 372 001 – 387 566 ) over the production years of 1960 to 1966. Some of the 1966 R27 models were sold as 1967 models because dealers in those years often would assign dates to BMW motorcycles when they sold them, and not necessarily when they were manufactured.

The vast majority of R27 motorcycles exported to the United States by BMW were black with white pin striping. A few, however, were brought in by importer Butler & Smith in a color called Dover white, with black pin striping. Why "Dover white?" Butler & Smith head honcho, Michael Bondy, had a 1942 Packard automobile in an off-white color called dover white. Bondy sent a sample of this color to BMW AG in Munich and asked that it be duplicated. BMW did copy the color, and Bondy ordered fifty motorcycles in that color. Today, BMW motorcycles in original dover white are a sought-after rarity.

BMW did things differently from other manufacturers. This is evident in the R27. Its enclosed shaft final drive is rare for a single cylinder motorcycle. But it also had a triangulated Earles front fork (named after English designer Ernest Earles); so the motorcycle had a front swingarm as well as a rear swingarm. When you squeezed the front brake lever hard not only did the front end not dive, it actually rose slightly. Thus, braking was a very steady activity, though the brakes were weak by today's standards. The engines crankshaft was laid out fore-to-aft, not side- to-side; also a rare feature. This way, the crank and the final shaft were in line, and drive forces did not have to be run through a set of 90-degree gears. Also, the kick starter swung out sideways instead of parallel to the frame, so kick starting an R27 is a rather easy and danger-free affair.


1967

1967 BMW R27 in Black
1967 BMW R27 in Black
1967 BMW R27 in Black
1967 BMW R27 in Black
1967 BMW R27 in Black
1967 BMW R27 in Black


Specifications

  • Bore (mm): 68
  • Stroke: (mm): 68
  • Number of cylinders: 1
  • Plug gap (inches): 0.024 (0.6mm)
  • Point gap (inches): 0.016 (0.4mm)
  • Ignition timing - Advance: Automatic
    degrees BTDC - retarded: 7
    degrees BTDC - advanced: 40-44
  • Valve clearance (cold)
    inlet (inches): 0.006 (0.15mm)
    exhaust (inches): 0.008 (0.20mm)
  • Electrical system voltage: 6
  • Battery terminal grounded: Negative
  • Tire size: 3.25 x 18
  • Tire pressure
    front (PSI): 21-22
    rear (PSI): 22-23 (28-29 when carrying passengers)
  • Number of gears: 4
  • Approx. weight (Lbs.): 356

Maintenance

  • Recommended spark plugs were:
    Bosch type W240T1
    BERU type 240/14
    Champion type L-85
  • Timing marks are located on the flywheel. These marks align with a notch in a timing hole which is located in the left side of the flywheel housing. Marks on the flywheel are:
"OT" for top dead center
"S" for static timing
"F" for advanced timing

Advanced timing is checked with the motor running at 3000RPM. Adjustment is accomplished by moving the entire breaker plate assembly after loosening two screws and sliding the assembly along elongated holes.

BMW R27
Manufacturer BMW
Also called R 27
Production 1960 - 1966
Class Classic
Engine single cylinder, four-stroke
Bore / Stroke 68.0mm x 68.0mm
Compression ratio 8.2:1
Top speed 81 mph (130 km/h)
Horse Power 17.57 HP (13.1 KW) @ 7400RPM
Ignition type battery
Battery 8.2:1
Transmission Gear box: 4-speed

Final Drive: shaft drive (cardan)

Clutch: single plate dry-cable operated
Suspension Front: cartridge
Rear: twin shock-swingarm
Brakes Front: expanding brake (drum brake)
Rear: expanding brake (drum brake)
Front Tire 3.27-18
Rear Tire 3.27-18
Wheelbase 37.99 inches (965 mm)
Dimensions L 82.28 inches (2090 mm)
W 25.98 inches (660 mm)
H 38.39 inches (975 mm)
Weight  (dry), 162.0 kg (wet)
Fuel capacity 3.96 Gallon (15.00 Liters)
Fuel consumption 3.30 liters/100 km (30.3 km/l or 71.28 mpg)
Manuals Service Manual
Tech Specs · Brochures · Reviews · Ads · Videos

The BMW R27 was a single cylinder, four-stroke Classic motorcycle produced by BMW between 1960 and 1966. It could reach a top speed of 81 mph (130 km/h). Claimed horsepower was 17.57 HP (13.1 KW) @ 7400 RPM.

Engine

The engine was a air cooled single cylinder, four-stroke. A 68.0mm bore x 68.0mm stroke result in a displacement of just 247.0 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 dry-cable operated.

Chassis

It came with a 3.27-18 front tire and a 3.27-18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via expanding brake (drum brake) in the front and a expanding brake (drum brake) in the rear. The front suspension was a cartridge while the rear was equipped with a twin shock-swingarm. The R27 was fitted with a 3.96 Gallon (15.00 Liters) fuel tank. The wheelbase was 37.99 inches (965 mm) long.

1960 - 1966 BMW R 27

1960 - 1966 BMW R 27

The 1960 BMW R 27 has, at its heart, an air-cooled, four-stroke, 247cc, single cylinder engine paired to a four-speed manual transmission that can produce a claimed 18 horsepower at 7400 rpm. It also comes with a telescopic front fork coupled to a rear suspension composed of a long swing arm with suspension units and oil pressure dampers, a drum braking system, a single, sprung seat, laced wheels, an exhaust with a large muffler at its end, a large headlamp and full fenders.


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