BMW R26

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1960 BMW R-26.jpg
BMW R26
Manufacturer
BMW
Also called R 26
Production 1956 - 1960
Class Classic
Engine
single cylinder, four-stroke
Bore / Stroke 68.0mm x 68.0mm
Compression ratio 7.5:1
Top Speed 80 mph (128 km/h)
Horsepower 14.62 HP (10.9 KW) @ 6400RPM
Ignition battery
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 38.39 inches (975 mm)
Length 82.28 inches (2090 mm)
Width 25.98 inches (660 mm)
Height 38.39 inches (975 mm)
Seat Height 28.74 inches (730 mm)
Weight 158.0 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


The BMW R26 was a single cylinder, four-stroke Classic motorcycle produced by BMW between 1956 and 1960. It could reach a top speed of 80 mph (128 km/h). Claimed horsepower was 14.62 HP (10.9 KW) @ 6400 RPM.

Built to the same exemplary standards as the Bavarian company's famous flat-twins, the single-cylinder BMW first appeared in pre-war days. Indeed, BMW's first new post-war model was a single-cylinder design - the 250cc BMW R24 - which arrived in 1948. In 1956 BMW introduced a completely revamped thumper replacing the BMW R25, the R26 (engine numbers 340 001 – 370 236), with improvements paralleling those introduced at the same time in the boxer twins. The R26 came with an enclosed drive shaft, rear swingarm, and front Earles forks. A new headlight nacelle came with a sliding black plastic over the ignition key, and the “bell-bottom” front fender was dropped along with the mechanics' hand shifter. The engine of the R26 was bolted directly to the frame, and produced 15 hp (11 kW). These machines like other single cylinder BMW's were famous for their reliability, economy, and quiet operation, a very desirable feature when used for law enforcement in metropolitan areas.


Engine[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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

Chassis[edit | edit source]

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 R26 was fitted with a 3.96 Gallon (15.00 Liters) fuel tank. The wheelbase was 38.39 inches (975 mm) long.

1959[edit | edit source]

1956 - 1960 BMW R 26[edit | edit source]

1956 - 1960 BMW R 26 1956 - 1960 BMW R 26

The 1956 BMW R 26 has, at its heart, an air-cooled, four-stroke, 247cc, single cylinder powerhouse mated to a four-speed manual transmission, and can reach a maximum power output of 15 horsepower at 6400 rpm. It also boasts laced features such as laced wheels, full fenders, a single, sprung seat, a telescopic fork, a rear suspension composed of a long swing arm with oil pressure dampers, a drum braking system and an exhaust system with a large-diameter muffler.


In Media[edit | edit source]