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BMW R 42 (1926-1928) Specs, Performance & Photos

Segment: Clasic
Production years: 1926, 1927, 1928

BMW R 42 1926-1928 2 Photos
BMW R 42 (1926-1928)BMW R 42 (1926-1928)

In 1926, BMW released the R42 motorcycle, a successor to the R32 model with not too many differences. The tubular steel frame and the swing fork with leaf springs were borrowed from the R32 model, and the two-cylinder side-valve boxer engine was renewed.

As usual at the BMW plant, the touring R42 motorcycle had a little brother with an overhead-valve engine called R47.

The renewed 494cc four-stroke air-cooled engine of the 1926 BMW R42 with a maximum power of 12 hp at 3,400 rpm, four more than on the R32, was spinning the rear wheel through a three-speed manual transmission linked to a shaft.

The model featured a tubular steel frame that enclosed the engine, transmission, and shaft, and had the rear wheel mounted directly to the chassis. The R42 lacked a rear suspension and the only things softening the ride were the rear-spoked wheel and the spring mounted under the seat. On the front side, the model featured a fork with an inverted leaf spring system acting as suspension.

The stopping power was generated by a 150 mm drum unit on the front wheel and an external shoe brake on the cardan shaft on the rear wheel.

As standard features, the bike came with laced wheels, long fenders, a small headlamp, wide handlebars, and a rear luggage rack transformable into a passenger seat.

BMW R 42 1926-1928

BMW R 42 494

engine specs
Type:air-cooled, four-stroke, boxer twin cylinder, SV
Displacement:494 cm3
Bore X Stroke:2.7x2.7 in OR 69 mm
Compression Ratio:4.9:1
Horsepower:12/3400 KW(hp)/RPM
Torque:0/- lb-ft/RPM OR 0 Nm/RPM
Fuel System:1x22mm BMW Spezial carburetor
transmission specs
Gearbox:3 speed, manual
Clutch:dry, single plate
Primary Drive:-
Final Drive:shaft
chassis specs
Frame:steel
Front Suspension:plate spring, 5 laminae
Rear Suspension:hard-tail, sprung seat
Front Brake:150mm drum
Rear Brake:external shoe brake at gearing (on cardan shaft)
dimension specs
Overall Length:82.67 in OR 2100 mm
Overall Width:31.49 in OR 800 mm
Seat Height:-
Wheelbase:55.51 in OR 1410 mm
Ground Clearance:-
Weight:277 lbs OR 126 kg
Fuel Capacity:3.69 gallons OR 14.0 L
tyres specs
Front:27 x 3.5
Rear:27 x 3.5
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