1938 BMW R-Series

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1938 BMW R71, completely restored (94 points) and awards at Riding into History. The last of the side valve engine design from BMW. Three documented owners, and complete provenance from the import log in England. In late 1937 BMW introduced a new series of motorcycles with a rear suspension, offering more comfort and control. This design would serve BMW for the next 17 years of production before the famous Earles fork model (known later as a /2) would replace it. Also new, was a 750cc side valve engine for more pulling power with the proven durability of a side valve engine. This would be the last side valve design from BMW. The price for this technology and durability was 125 pounds Sterling (8 months of salary for the average worker). A new BSA Gold Star could be purchased for a bargain 85 pounds. This R71 was manufactured in March of 1938, and exported to England in one of the last shipments before war. The original distributor (AFN) records were accessed and revealed this BMW was sold to E.G. Gorham on November 26, 1938. In the summer of the following year, Les Gilles bought the BMW. Les owned this bike until its sale in 2010. (over 70 years of ownership). Les rode his bike constantly, riding dispatches during the bombings of London. Early U.K. BMW club publications reveal the memory of fellow riders of Les riding his BMW back and forth to his work at Hooper’s (The body manufacturer for Rolls Royce). Les always attended the yearly Isle of Mann races, and his story was found in a newspaper.The bike has under gone a 3 year, documented restoration. The bike presented today is close to how it was delivered to the first owner in 1938. A replica UK license plate and tax stamp are present, along with the lead/wire seals for the carbs. BMW wanted to make sure this model received the proper break-in. The carbs have a small pin that that limit the throttle opening. This kept the load on the engine light until the proper service level, when the dealership would remove the seal. Also found was the letter "S" cast into the final drive cover. This indicated the final drive casting was part of a factory "recall" to replace earlier drives. These had metallurgical failures of the original design, and were replaced.This motorcycle design was copied by the US Army, and the Russian Army. The Russian design has evolved and is still produced today under the name of Ural. Rumor has it that when the Russians wore out their original tooling, they passed it on the the Chinese who still produce the Chang Jiang, which has also undergone many production updates.Original BMW R71's are rare and more often Russian or Chinese copies are found in the Market place. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE