BMW R12 750cc 1938

Frame number: 11108       Engine number: 33104

Year: 1938                      Cylinder capacity: 750 cc

The BMW R12 and R17 are flat-twin engine motorcycles made by BMW Motorrad from 1935 through 1942. They were developed in 1935. A few hundred R17s were made, ending in 1937, while the R12 continued through 1942, with a total of 36,008 produced.

On 14 February 1935, BMW presented the R12 together with the R17 on the German Automobile Exhibition in Berlin for the first time, being a direct successor to the BMW R11. This and the R17 were the first in the world being produced with hydraulically damped telescopic forks. By 1942, the total number of BMW R12 motorcycles manufactured was 36,000. For military purposes, the single carburetor Einvergasermotor was only available for the R12.

The engine was a twin-cylinder boxer configuration - four stroke with a flathead design. The BMW R12 with two carburetors used a battery and coil ignition, while R12s with a single carburetor used a magneto ignition, capable of working independently from the battery.

The BMW R12 had a four-speed manual gearbox, operated by a hand shift lever on the fuel tank's right side. Several detail variations were seen in production. In common with most BMW Motorcycles, final drive was via shaft, with the drive shaft on the right side of the motorcycle.

This 1938 BMW R12 is a high quality older restoration, it has been restored with care in Austria around 25-30 years ago.
This R12 is equipped with a correct SUM carburettor, complete Bosch electric lighting system and electric horn, comfortable leather driver seat, Veigel speedometer integrated into the front headlamp and a useful steering damper at the handlebars.
The BMW is fitted with the iconic 'Baroque' mudguard, providing a really classy look for the machine and representing the 'Art deco' design of the 1930's motorcycling industry.