1943 BMW R75

Reader Contribution by The Motorcycle Classics Staff
Published on November 11, 2015
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Country: Germany
Engine: Air-cooled transverse twin cylinder four-stroke
Ignition: Magneto
Power rating: 26bhp @4,000rpm
Bore x stroke: 78 x 78mm
Displacement: 745cc
Valves: Overhead, pushrod activated
Fuel system: Single Graetzin Sa 24/1 carburetor
Transmission: 4-speed and reverse, 3-speed and reverse in low range. Shaft final drive with optional sidecar wheel drive
Suspension: Front telescopic forks, rigid rear
Brakes: Front drum, rear and sidecar hydraulic drum
Weight: 1,000lb
Top speed: 56mph

This BMW with Steib sidecar had originally been designed to tow a light gun, but the weight on the tow-bar lifted the front wheel off the ground. Armed with a mobile machine gun, the BMW was a rugged, reliable go-anywhere vehicle. Expensive to build, its cost was double of the Porsche-designed VW (Jeep-like) vehicle. Even so, 16,500 machines were built and remained in service throughout the war. The palm tree insignia indicates this machine was part of Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps.

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