1953 BMW R68 600cc Motorcycle

Description

BMW’s R68 is a 594cc sport version of its pre-1955 BMW motorcycles. Built from 1952 to either 1954 or 1955 (production likely ended in ’54, with some residual bikes sold in ’55), with just 1452 units produced, making this one of BMW’s rarest motorcycles. Unveiled at the 1951 German International Motorcycle Show in Frankfurt, the new BMW R68 was effectively a high performance version of the previous R67/2. It had improved performance compared to the low-compression R67/2, a racing-type magneto, bigger bore 26mm Bing carburettors and improved twin leading-shoe front brake. It also had a more modern and sportier narrow front fender, rather than the deeply valanced fender used on other BMW twins. BMW announced it to the world as "The first 100 mph motorcycle." The standard road bike had two normal low exhaust mufflers while an off-road version was also available, with a single high muffler. For the 1954 model year, BMW upgraded the R68 with full-width brakes.