BMW R3: history, specs, pictures

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BMW R 3
Manufacturer
BMW
Production 1936
Class Classic
Engine
air-cooled, four-stroke, single vertical cylinder
Bore / Stroke 68.0mm x 84.0mm
Compression ratio 6.0:1
Top Speed 62 mph (100 km/h)
Horsepower 11.0 HP (8.2 KW) @ 4200RPM
Transmission Gear box: 4-speed, manual
Clutch: dry, single plate
Final Drive shaft
Suspension Front: parallelogram fork
Rear: hard-tail, sprung seat
Brakes Front: 200mm drum
Rear: 200mm drum
Front Tire 3.50 x 26
Rear Tire 3.50 x 26
Wheelbase 51.97 inches (1320 mm)
Length 77.95 inches (1980 mm)
Width 33.46 inches (850 mm)
Height 37.4 inches (950 mm)
Weight 149.0 kg (wet)
Fuel Capacity 3.17 Gallon (12.00 Liters)
Manuals Service Manual


The BMW R 3 was a air-cooled, four-stroke, single vertical cylinder Classic motorcycle produced by BMW in 1937. Claimed horsepower was 11.0 HP (8.2 KW) @ 4200 RPM.

The Depression years of the early 1930s brought with them the need for a simpler - and cheaper - model to compete with the lightweight two-strokes mopping up the lucrative up-to-200cc market. BMW responded with its second single-cylinder design – the 198cc BMW R2 – which appeared early in 1931 and sold well despite the difficult trading conditions, as did the 398cc R4, a favourite with the German Army. R3 (305cc) and R35 (347cc) singles appeared later in the 1930s, all enjoying the benefits of shaft drive like their larger siblings. Of these, the R3 is by far the rarest, being produced for the 1936 season only, during which time only 740 were made. Factory records show that this R3 was delivered to Moto-Lusa in Lisbon, Portugal in May 1936. Unrestored, the machine was first registered in the Netherlands in 1986 and was purchased for the Neutkens Collection in 1992. Noteworthy features include a Veigel-D-R-P 'Waltzentacho', quick-release fuel filler cap and a Bosch headlamp with Hella rim. Offered with Netherlands registration papers.


Engine[edit | edit source]

A 68.6mm bore x 68.6mm stroke result in a displacement of just 305.0 cubic centimeters.

Drive[edit | edit source]

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

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 3.50 x 26 front tire and a 3.50 x 26 rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 200mm drum in the front and a 200mm drum in the rear. The front suspension was a parallelogram fork while the rear was equipped with a hard-tail, sprung seat.

1937 BMW R 3[edit | edit source]

1937 BMW R 3

The 1937 BMW R3 has, at its heart, an air-cooled, four-stroke, 305cc, single vertical cylinder powerplant paired to a four-speed manual transmission, that can produce a claimed 11 horsepower at 4200 rpm. Standard features include laced wheels, a rigid rear suspension with a sprung seat, a parallelogram front fork, a large headlight, a taillight, a drum braking system and large fenders.


In Media[edit | edit source]