1940 BMW Motorcycles

This BMW R12 was built on November 11, 1940 and was delivered the same day to the German military. The bike is said to have been refurbished in Germany approximately 15 years ago before coming to the US, and spent time in Arizona and Missouri prior to the seller’s acquisition in 2016. Power is from a triple numbers-matching 745cc flathead opposed twin mated to a four-speed transmission, and the bodywork and frame are finished in black. Features include a hand shifter, shaft drive, a single carburetor, a hydraulic fork, and a sprung solo saddle. This R12 is offered with a letter from BMW Group Classic and a Virginia title in the seller’s name. The bodywork wears black paint with white pinstriping, and includes matching fork shrouds. The bike also features a solo saddle, a luggage rack, head and tail lights, rubber knee bolsters, passenger footrests, and a center stand. Wire-spoke wheels with black 19″ rims are equipped with external drum brakes at both ends. Seat springs and a hydraulically-damped inverted fork comprise the bike’s only suspension. The chrome handlebar sits ahead of a steering damper and is mounted to the top triple clamp with single-bolt risers. A 120-km/h speedometer built into the headlight bucket contains a five-digit odometer showing 25k kilometers, 500 of which have been ridden by the seller. Total mileage is unknown. The 745cc flathead opposed twin was factory rated at 18 horsepower, and breathes through a single carburetor under the fuel tank along with a dual exhaust system. Power is sent to the rear wheel through a hand-shifted four-speed transmission and an exposed driveshaft. The headstock plate is stamped with the number 27472, which matches those shown on the frame and engine case in the gallery below.