BMW R60

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The BMW R60 was a two cylinder boxer, four-stroke Classic motorcycle produced by BMW between 1956 and 1977. It could reach a top speed of 104 mph (167 km/h). Max torque was 36.14 ft/lbs (49.0 Nm) @ 5000 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 39.16 HP (29.2 KW) @ 6400 RPM.

R60US.jpg
'BMW R60'
Manufacturer
[[BMW]]
Also called R602, R 60 2, R605, R 60 5, R 60-5, R 60-6, R 60-7, R 60
Production 1956 - 1977
Class [[:Category:Classic motorcycles|Classic]] [[Category:Classic motorcycles]]
Engine
two cylinder boxer, four-stroke
Bore / Stroke 73.5mm x 70.6mm
Compression ratio 6.5:1
Top Speed 104 mph (167 km/h)
Horsepower 39.16 HP (29.2 KW) @ 6400RPM
Torque 36.14 ft/lbs (49.0 Nm) @ 5000RPM
Battery 9.2:1
Transmission Gear box: 5-speed

Final Drive: shaft drive (cardan)

Clutch: dry-single plate-cable operated
Suspension Front: long swingarm-oil pressure shock absorbers
Rear: twin shock-swingarm
Brakes Front: single disc
Rear: expanding brake
Front Tire 3.25-19
Rear Tire 4.00-18
Wheelbase 55.71 inches (1415 mm)
Length 83.66 inches (2125 mm)
Width 25.98 inches (660 mm)
Height 38.58 inches (980 mm)
Seat Height 33.46 inches (850 mm)
Weight 429.9 pounds (195.0 Kg) (dry), 236.0 kg (wet)
Oil Filter Fram CH6060
Fuel Capacity 6.34 Gallon (24.00 Liters)
Fuel Consumption 4.80 liters/100 km (20.8 km/l or 49.00 mpg)
Manuals Service Manual


Overview

In the 1970s, author, philosopher and motorcycle enthusiast Robert M.Pirsig left his home in Minnesota to ride across the United States to the Pacific Ocean. For his mount, he chose his trusty /2 series BMW motorcycle. The trip brought adventures, recounted in his bestselling book, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which inspired a generation to set off on their own BMWs in search of quality motorcycling. Steve jobs as also known to ride this same bike.

 
Steve Jobs Riding his BMW R60/2


Engine

The engine was a air cooled two cylinder boxer, four-stroke. A 73.5mm bore x 70.6mm stroke result in a displacement of just 599.0 cubic centimeters. Fuel was supplied via a overhead valves (ohv).

Drive

The bike has a 5-speed transmission. Power was moderated via the dry-single plate-cable operated.

Chassis

It came with a 3.25-19 front tire and a 4.00-18 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via single disc in the front and a expanding brake in the rear. The front suspension was a long swingarm-oil pressure shock absorbers while the rear was equipped with a twin shock-swingarm. The R 60-7 was fitted with a 6.34 Gallon (24.00 Liters) fuel tank. The bike weighed just 429.9 pounds (195.0 Kg). The wheelbase was 55.71 inches (1415 mm) long.


History

At the end of 1954, BMW dropped its existing trio of flat twins - the R51/3, R67/2 and R68 - replacing them with the BMW R50 and BMW R69. The engines were little altered, significant changes being concentrated on the frame and cycle parts, which now featured an Earles-type leading link front fork and swinging-arm rear suspension. The R67/2, a lower-compression model much favoured by sidecarists, was not replaced until the arrival for 1956 of the R60, which used a low-compression version of the R69 engine. The sidecar market remained an important one for BMW, and the new front fork's bottom link incorporated alternative mounting points giving suitable trail should a 'chair' be attached. In 1960 the flat-twins range was revised as the '/2', most of the changes being inside the engine which received a strengthened crankcase and crankshaft, hard-chromed piston rings, improved internal ventilation, new cam followers and a stronger clutch assembly. The R60/2's compression ratio went up from 6.5:1 to 7.5:1, boosting peak power to 30PS (29.6hp SAE). Towards the end of production, the telescopic front fork developed for the forthcoming '/5' range became available as an option on machines sold in the North American market, models so-equipped being designated 'US'.

Long Running, Smooth Running

BMWs line of horizontally opposed shaft drive flat twins were the cycles of choice for many motorcycle tourers. The design provided an inherently smooth-running cycle and the German engineering made it reliable. This series of BMW models -which included the R50 and R50/2, R60 and R60/2, R50S, and R69 and R69S -lasted from 1955 to 1969. Telescopic fork versions were also available at the end of the production run, denoted as US models. The R60 was the touring version of the R69S.

A World of Accessories

Numerous accessories were available for the BMW line from a wide variety of suppliers, both through the factory and after market,as befitting a touring motorcycle that riders wanted to modify to their particular tastes. The suspension made you feel like you had never left home with the triangulated Earles front forks giving a stable ride and featuring adjustable trail settings so that a Steib sidecar could be used. A variety of seats were available, from the old-fashioned dual-saddle Pagusa seats fitted on this cycle to wide two-person bench seats for long-distance travels. Other accessories included large-capacity gas tanks, fairings, mirrors, tachometers, spot lamps, and turn signals mounted on the handlebar ends.


1962


1965

 
1965 BMW R60


This bike uses one of the following plugs, but they are not interchangeable:

  • Spark Plug: NGK B8HS 1/2" Reach
  • Spark Plug: NGK B8ES 3/4" Reach


1966

 
1966 BMW R60 with Steib sidecar

1967


1969

 
1969 BMW R60 US

In an effort to increase their sales in the United States, BMW abandoned the Earles type leading link forks used for many years, for a modern telescopic fork. Also an all-white color was optional, which helped to jass up the basic 1950s design. BMW virtually invented the hydraulically damped telescopic fork, putting it into production in 1935. Today the majority of motorcycles use variations of this fork, with the exception of BMW, who have developed alternative designs.

1971

<sgallery>

 
1971 BMW R60/5 in Silver
 
1971 BMW R60/5 in Silver
 
1971 BMW R60/5 in Silver
 
1971 BMW R60/5 in Silver
 
1971 BMW R60/5 in Silver
 
1971 BMW R60/5 in Silver
 
1971 BMW R60/5 in Silver
 
1971 BMW R60/5 in Silver

</sgallery>

1972

 
1972 BMW R60/5


1974

<sgallery>

 
1974 BMW R60/6 in Black
 
1974 BMW R60/6 in Black
 
1974 BMW R60/6 in Black
 
1974 BMW R60/6 in Black
 
1974 BMW R60/6 in Black
 
1974 BMW R60/6 in Black
 
1974 BMW R60/6 in Black
 
1974 BMW R60/6 in Black
 
1974 BMW R60/6 in Silver
 
1974 BMW R60/6 in Silver
 
1974 BMW R60/6 in Silver
 
1974 BMW R60/6 in Silver
 
1974 BMW R60/6 in Silver
 
1974 BMW R60/6 in Silver

</sgallery>


1977

 
1977 BMW R60/7 in Blue
 
1977 BMW R60/7 in Blue
 
1977 BMW R60/7 in Blue




1956 - 1960 BMW R 60

   

The 1956 BMW R 60 sports an air-cooled, four-stroke, 594cc, boxer twin cylinder powerhouse paired to a four-speed manual transmission and can produce a claimed 28 horsepower at 5600 rpm. It also comes with a telescopic front fork, rear plunger shocks, a single seat, a large headlamp, drum brakes in the front and in the rear, laced wheels, large fenders, a dual exhaust system and a spacious, 17-liter (4.5-gallon) fuel tank.


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