BMW R50: history, specs, pictures

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Bmw-r50-1955-1960-0.jpg
BMW R50
Manufacturer
BMW
Also called R50 2, R50US, R50 5, R50 OS, R 50
Production 1955 - 1969
Class Classic
Engine
two cylinder boxer, four-stroke
Bore / Stroke 68.0mm x 68.0mm
Compression ratio 6.8:1
Top Speed 87 mph (140 km/h)
Horsepower 25.48 HP (19.0 KW) @ 5800RPM
Torque 28.77 ft/lbs (39.0 Nm) @ 5000RPM
Ignition magneto
Transmission Gear box: 4-speed

Final Drive: shaft drive (cardan)

Clutch: dry-single plate-cable operated
Suspension Front: cartridge
Rear: twin shock-swingarm
Brakes Front: expanding brake (drum brake)
Rear: expanding brake (drum brake)
Front Tire 3.50-18
Rear Tire 3.50-18
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 195.0 kg (wet)
Fuel Capacity 4.49 Gallon (17.00 Liters)
Fuel Consumption 5.10 liters/100 km (19.6 km/l or 46.12 mpg)
Manuals Service Manual


The BMW R50 2 was a two cylinder boxer, four-stroke Classic motorcycle produced by BMW between 1955 and 1969. It could reach a top speed of 87 mph (140 km/h). Max torque was 28.77 ft/lbs (39.0 Nm) @ 5000 RPM. Claimed horsepower was 25.48 HP (19.0 KW) @ 5800 RPM.

Engine[edit | edit source]

The engine was a air cooled two cylinder boxer, four-stroke. A 68.0mm bore x 68.0mm stroke result in a displacement of just 494.0 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 dry-single plate-cable operated.

Chassis[edit | edit source]

It came with a 3.50-18 front tire and a 3.50-18 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 R50 2 was fitted with a 4.49 Gallon (17.00 Liters) fuel tank. The wheelbase was 55.71 inches (1415 mm) long.

1955 - 1960 BMW R 50[edit | edit source]

The 1955 BMW R 55 has, at its heart, an air-cooled, four-stroke, 494cc, boxer twin cylinder powerplant mated to a four-speed manual transmission, and can produce a claimed 26 horsepower at 5800 rpm. Standard fittings for this machine include a telescopic front fork, a rear suspension composed of a long swinging arm with suspension units and oil pressure shock absorbers, a drum braking system, a single seat, laced wheels, a large headlamp, full fenders, and mid-mounted foot pegs.


The R50 and R50/2 are 500 cc boxer twin BMW motorcycles that were manufactured from 1956 to 1969 in Munich, Germany, by the Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW Aktiengesellschaft).


Engineering Excellence[edit | edit source]

In 1955 BMW created its R50, R60, and R69 models. The new models had a similar engine and the same shaft-drive as earlier models, but were fitted with modern swinging fork rear suspension for the first time. But it abandoned modern telescopic forks at the front in favor of the swinging or "Earles Fork" system. The chassis was painted in BMW's signature black scheme set off by white pin striping. The models had plenty of power to pull an optional BMW Spezial Steib sidecar. An interesting side note is that the BMW R25 was exactly one half of the engine in the BMW R50, using the same cylinder head etc. The BMW R50 produced 26 horsepower.

The Top of the World[edit | edit source]

The R50 was updated as the R50/2 in 1960 and joined by the sporting R69S. BMW has always built expensive motorcycles, but you got what you paid for. They have gained an enviable reputation for long-lasting reliability -even the quality of the black paint is wellknown! BMW set the standard for its day, and continues to build some of the most famous motorcycles in the world into the Nineties.

1955[edit | edit source]

1957[edit | edit source]

1957 BMW R50

This machine has period accessories, Wixom fairing and Enduro bags, both made in the USA.

1966[edit | edit source]

R50/5[edit | edit source]

BMW R50/5

The long-awaited replacements for BMW's long-running Earles-forked flat twins finally arrived in 1969. As well as a telescopic, leading-axle front fork, the newcomers featured a lightweight, welded, duplex frame, innovations first seen on the Bavarian company's ISDT machines. The engine too had come in for revision, now employing a one-piece forged crankshaft and aluminum-alloy cylinder barrels while carrying its camshaft below the crank. Coil ignition and 12-volt electrics were other new departures for the Munich firm. The new '/5' models came in three engine capacities, the variation being achieved by different bore sizes in what were otherwise virtually identical machines. The R50/5 produced a claimed 32bhp, which was good enough for a top speed of 98mph.


Videos[edit | edit source]

In Media[edit | edit source]