BMW 1932 R16 734cc 2cyl ohv 3408

BMW 1932 R16 734 cc ohv transverse twin frame # P 2539 engine # 76452
At the end of the nineteen twenties motorcycle engineers get more and more interested in the use of pressed steel for motorcycle frames and BMW decides on this type of frame for the new R11 and R 16 750 cc class models that are introduced at the end of 1929. The R16 is the sportsman’s machine, its engine delivers 25 hp @ 4,000 rpm, which grows to 33 hp @ 4,500 rpm for the 1933 models, that are equipped with two carburettors and a gear change lever that is now positioned behind the right knee pad. BMW are very keen on world speeds records in this period: Ernst Henne is almost unbeatable on his supercharged 750 cc record machine and has set a world record speed of 244.4 kilometer per hour in 1932. Interesting new features in the R 16 are its floating wheel spindles and that lighting, horn and speedometer were included in the standard specifications. The R 16 is a well-engineered an high quality motorcycle, but its introduction in the Depression years and its high price make that only 1900 leave the factory.

This rare survivor has been restored a number of years ago. She’s been part of a large private BMW collection and hasn’t been on the road for quite some time.