On a forum the question was: “I can buy a BMW single-cylinder. Is that what and what may such a thing cost? "
Innocence or stupidity?
The pure BMW enthusiast gets flakes in his fingers when he hears such a question. People with a somewhat broader frame of mind will ask themselves with a smile: “I can buy a house. Is that a good idea and what does a house cost? Or: "I saw a nice-looking lady walking. How do you purchase such a thing and what will it cost you in the long term? " Ask. All questions ...
Originality is an asset
People who buy a BMW usually do so very consciously. They also usually go for quality. Of course, this applies to fans of 69Ssen, R90Ssen, K1's and other historic toppers, but the approach is limited to the entire BMW buying public such as the sidecar drivers (An R100 block plus five-speed gearbox in an old R50 chassis? Fine! double disc brakes for in!) and the people who are now massively converting BMW R65-R80s into café racers or scramblers.
In the BMW single-cylinder world, it is a quiet mixture of the elaborate and the precise
Perhaps that is because the single-personers made for a working life attract an audience that is a little less sensitive to status than the owners of the large BMWs. Among the members of the BMW monoclub are serious typing specialists, but also people who enjoy relaxing on their classic cars. And those BMW single cylinders are ideal for quiet journeys 'inside', but they are not afraid of long distances. They are reliable and comfortable. And be in a hurry? that's for the dumb.
A long history
BMW started building simple single-cylinder motorcycles in 1925. Then the 247 cc lightweight (110 kg) R39 was introduced. In the same year, factory driver Josef Stelzer became Deutsche Meister on such an engine in the class up to 250 cc. Characteristic of the R39 were its 68 x 68 mm bore and stroke, pushrod, overhead valve block, dry single clutch and a drive shaft with encapsulated bevel gear and hard disk. These principles were simply further developed between 1925 and 1967. Because what's good, you don't have to change that.
The lion's share
The models from the R51 / 3 (from 1953) are the most deployable, and 51 of the R3 / 55.000 have been sold. This made this model a huge success for BMW.
In 1955 the R26 saw the light of day. Now with 15 hp and a real swingarm at the front and rear. From that moment on, the cardan shaft was guided by a rear leg of the swingarm.
Following the R26, the R1960 came in 27. That was the most powerful mono ever made. The block delivered 18 pk at 7400 rpm. The top speed of 130 km / h was quite impressive for a motorcycle without sporting aspirations. The timing chain had been given a tensioner and the ignition was from that moment on the camshaft. The most striking thing about the R27 was the rubber suspension of the engine block in the frame. This eliminated many vibrations. 1967 Was the last year that BMW made single-cylinder motorcycles.
Service bicycles
Due to their quality and reliability, the small BMWs were often used as 'service bicycles' for government officials and the like. Due to their aged nature, they have almost never fallen into the hands of young people who could have done very ill-considered things with them. The series is now also 'too old' to be harassed and cannibalized by happy, double tattooed beards who compulsively make café racers and scramblers.
A price indication
For a good and beautiful R26 or R27, think about amounts around the 5000 euro. In addition, you will have to write off little over time. Buying a project can be much cheaper. Making the weather beautiful and good is not witchcraft, the technology is simple, the parts are there and the BMW Monoclub can be of great service to you.
The R51 / 3 was made from 1951-1954, in a number of approximately 18.000 pieces, and not 55.000.
The same applies to the clones EMW and AWO .. both in terms of price and parts supply.