BMW R67 (1951-1952) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 1951, at the Amsterdam Motor Show, BMW released its first 600cc motorcycle in the post-war period, the BMW R67. The model was presented along with the 500cc R51/3 model and were bikes with a completely newly developed engine.

The chassis was retained from the R51/2 model and featured a telescopic fork on the front and a straight suspension on the rear. In the braking department, the model featured two 200 mm half-hub brake drum units on the front and rear mounted on wire-spoked wheels.

The R67 was primarily used as a touring and trailer motorcycle, and with low compression, the engine developed only two horsepower more than the 500cc model but provided an excellent torque curve and a maximum top speed of 140 kph (86 mph).

The bike had its heartbeat set by a 594cc air-cooled four-stroke twin-cylinder boxer engine with a power output of 26 hp available at 5,500 rpm. Without a sidecar attached, the bike weighed 192 kg (423 lbs), and with the sidecar attached, it weighed 320 kg (705 lbs).

The engine also impressed with a smooth surface and a one-piece valve cover but provided an even more compact visual aspect due to the ignition magnet and alternator mounted behind the front engine cover.

As standard features, the bike came with a large 17-liter (4.4-gallon) fuel tank, full fenders, a single seat, a round headlamp, a rear luggage rack, and a dual exhaust system.