Profile of the BMW R12 motorcycle made in 1938 that is destinedfor the Army. BMW automotive company first introduced the R12 motorcycleseries in 1935, and is the world's first motorcycle powered by ahydraulic telescopic damper trifurcate. With a 745-cc engine and weighs 408 lbs, the BMW-powered R12 20 horsepower at3400rpm and can reach a maximum speed of 75 miles per hour.
BMW BMW-R12 is the most popular type used by the Wehrmacht,although the R35, R71 and R75 were pretty popular and have appeared in photographs of that era.
Year of production: 1935 - 1941
The number of overall production: 20,000 pieces for civilian, and10,000 pieces for the military. Total is 36,008 pieces
Engine: sidevalve 18hp/3400rpm or 20hp/4000rpm, 2-cyl 4-strokeaircooled, 745cc motorcycle boxer SV
Bore / Stroke: 78/78 mm
Compression ratio: 5.2: 1
Dimensions (solo): length: 2100mm
width: 900mm
height: 940mm
saddle height: 70cm
Dimensions (gespann, with Tandem): length: 2520mm
width: 1615mm
height: 1000mm
The distance between the wheels (wheelbase): 1380mm
Rear track (gespann, tandem version): 1070mm
Road clearance (solo): 120mm
Road clearance (Tandem): 245mm
Carburetter: Amal 6 / 406 SP and 6 / 407 SP (based on other sources)
Starter: 45/70 Watts
Battery: 6 Volt 7 Ah
Clutch: Dry single plate
Gearbox: 4-speed
Ratios: I - 3.18; II - 2.06; III - 1.42, IV - 1.09 axle
Transmission ratios: solo - 4.07 (14: 57),
gespann - 4.75 (12: 57),
Heer (military) - 5.18 (11: 57)
Pressed steel frame
Telescope front fork
Rear wheels without the fire control equipment
Brakes foot: associated with a lever to the rear wheels
Brake hand: be connected by cables to the front wheels
Turning radius: 2.25 m (left), 1.8 m (right)
Weight (solo): 188 kg
Maximum speed: 125 km / hour (civilian);
100 km / h (Wehrmacht solo);
85 km / h (Wehrmacht gespann)
Wheels: 3.50 or 4.00 x19 x19 inches
Wheel pressure, atm.: front - 1.4 (with Tandem - 1,4)
rear - 1.5 (with Tandem - 1.9, for three - 2.3)
Fuel tank capacity: 14 Liter
Fuel consumption: 4.4 Liter/100km (civil)
5.5 Liter/100km (Wehrmacht solo)
6.5 Liter/100km (Wehrmacht gespann).
Engine oil, gearbox and axle - SAE 40 (summer), changed every2000 km, while the oil filter should be replaced every 12,000 km.
Ability through the water to a depth of 250mm
