The Story of the fabled R7

[SCJJR65]

If you've never read the story of the fabled BMW R7 of 1934 that never saw actual production, this is worth a read!      [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]

http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/photopages/photosr7.htm

[Semper Gumby]

If they would build one for me I'd buy it.  It is so cool!   8-)

[JDS]

Is that a 4 speed shifter on the tank

[nhmaf]

Ah, the art-deco era!

I think that some of Arlen Ness' later bikes, and even some of the current Victory models have similar lines, though without pinstripes, etc to make them look more 'space age', or something..

[SCJJR65]

Yes, I believe it is, Mike!

[darrylri]

It's four-on-the-floor, and the same kind of arrangement (for shifting) went into production on the R12 and R17 models.  

Here's a photo of my R12, with the hand shifter that passes through an H gate in the right kneepad:


We had a big write up of the bike and its rediscovery and restoration in the Vintage club bulletin a couple issues back.  

I was in Munich last summer and they had the R7 on display at the newly remodelled museum.  Although it resembles the R17 (and, to a lesser extent, the R12), it's really a nearly clean sheet design.  The frame is a bridge and the drivetrain hangs from it.  BMW didn't do anything like that again until the K bikes came out in 1984.

[SCJJR65]

Say, Darryl, you have some mighty nice lookin' bikes in your stable!   [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

I still think the R7 remains the most beautifully designed (from a visual perspective) motorcycle ever produced by BMW, with the possible exception of the R1200C!  (Of course, I say that only because I own one!)    

[darrylri]

Thanks, John.  Actually, the R1200C has a number of styling cues from the /2 bikes, I think.

I do like riding the old bikes, they are a revelation in themselves, and also allow a youngster such as myself to get an idea what a revelation the later bikes must have been when they were released.

[Semper Gumby]

Hey Darryl.

Is that a HID light hanging off the LH side of the forks?  Or is that your R12 Adventure/  

Cool.

If BMW would build a Retro R7 I would sell a bunch of stuff just to buy it.

[darrylri]

It's not BMW's style to play off their past, I think.  

Can you imagine the sales they could have made from a revitalized 2002, built for the year 2002?  This is just when the VW New Beetle was really taking off...

[Semper Gumby]

What about the Cooper?