Plastic model of the BMW R 12 motorcycle

The plastic model of BMW R 12 motorcycle was made in 1:35 scale. The work received a distinction at the 12th International Festival of Plastic Reduction Models Bytom 2015 in Poland.

Production of the BMW R 12 lasted in 1935-1942. The main buyer of this machine was the German army. About 36,000 copies were produced.

The BMW R 12 was the first motorcycle in the world to use oil-damped shock absorbers in the front suspension. An innovative solution was also the heating of the fuel supplied to the cylinders by exhaust gases. The rear wheel was rigidly suspended and driven by a shaft with Cardan joints.

Some technical data:

• Engine: 4-stroke, air-cooled,
• Engine displacement: 745 cm³ (45.5 in³),
• Number of cylinders: 2 (boxer engine),
• Compression ratio: 5,2:1,
• Power: 18 hp (13,24 kW),
• Gearbox: 4-speed,
• Length: 2,1 m (6 ft 10.7 in),
• Wheelbase: 1,38 m (4 ft 6.33 in),
• Width: 0,9 m (2 ft 11.4 in),
• Height: 0,94 m (3 ft 1.01 in),
• Mass: 185 kg (408 lb),
• Fuel tank capacity: 14 l (UK-3.1 gal, USA-3.7 gal),
• Fuel consumption: 3,5-4 l/100 km (UK-1.45 gal, USA-1.77 gal per 100 mi)
• Maximum speed: 110 km/h (68 mph),
• Brakes: drum.

The twin-carburetor version of the engine had 2 hp more power, and the motorcycle reached a top speed of 120 km/h (74.6 mph). Fuel consumption increased by approximately 0.5 liters.

Sources:

• http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_R_12
• http://www.swiatmotocykli.pl/Motocykle/1,113440,3223591.html
• http://bmw-motorrad.cc/bmw-r12/

25 Jun 2015