BMW R68

BMW R68

1954 R68 (featuring full-width brakes)

Manufacturer BMW AG, Munich, Germany

Production 1,452

Predecessor 19381941 R66

Successor 19551960 R69, 19611969 R69S

Class standard

Engine BMW 268/1 OHV air-cooled flat-twin

Bore / stroke 72 mm 73 mm (2.83 in 2.87 in)

Compression ratio 8.0:1[1]

Top speed 169 km/h (105 mph)[2]

Power 35 hp (26 kW) @ 7,000 rpm

Transmission 4-speed manual foot shift

 Suspension Front: Telescopic

Rear: Telescopic plungers

Brakes Front: 200 mm duplex drum

Rear: 200 mm simplex drum

Tires 19 x 3.5 front and rear

Wheelbase 1,400 mm (55 in)

Dimensions L: 2,130 mm (84 in)

W: 725 mm (28.5 in)

H: 985 mm (38.8 in)

Weight 190 kg (419 lb) (wet)

Fuel capacity 17 L (3.7 imp gal; 4.5 US gal)

Fuel consumption approximately 4.6 litres per 100 kilometres

(61 mpg-imp; 51 mpg-US)[3]

The BMW R68 is a 594 cc (36.2 cu in) sport version of the pre-1955 BMW motorcycles. A total
of 1,452 models were manufactured from 1952 to 1954,[4] making it one of BMW's rarest
production motorcycles.[3]

Contents
[hide]

1History

2See also

3References

o 3.1Citations

o 3.2Sources

History[edit]
In October 1951, at the German International Motorcycle Show in Frankfurt, BMW displayed a
new high performance model.[2] The machine had improved performance of 35 hp (26 kW)
compared to the low-compression R67/2, a racing-type magneto, bigger bore 26 mm Bing
carburetors and improved twin leading-shoe front brake. It also came with a more modern
sporty narrow front fender rather than the deeply valanced fender used on other BMW twins.
BMW announced the R68 as "The first 100 mph motorcycle." [2] It was shown as a road bike,
capable of 105 mph (169 km/h), with normal two low exhaust silencers, and an off-road version
with a single high silencer.[2] A separate pillion pad resembled a passenger saddle, but was
provided for the rider to slide backward in order to crouch low for higher speeds. [4]
For the 1954 model year, BMW introduced full-width brakes on the R68. Previously they had
half-width brakes.

R68 rear and shaft drives and seats arrangement

In the photo to the left are some of the unusual elements of the rear part of the R68. Note the
exposed, hard chrome drive shaft connecting the rear drive on the left with the rear of
the transmission on the right. A plunger attached to the rear drive limits vertical movement so
the front of the drive shaft is connected to the transmission with a round rubber puck with holes
to receive the drive shaft's attachment plate.
The hand operated tire pump held under the frame has a swing-out lever so the rider can hold
it down with his foot, unlike later BMW tire pumps.
The rider's saddle is suspended with a large chrome plated spring and is connected directly to
the rear saddle so the rider can slide backward and crouch at higher speeds. Rear foot pegs
were normally included for the rider to use when sliding on the rear saddle to crouch for high
speeds.
The short vertical handle on the side of the transmission is often referred to as a mechanic's
shifter.
A 1954 R68 restored by Tim Stafford of San Diego took second place among German
motorcycles at the 2012 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.