1962 BMW R-27 - 3-Page Vintage Motorcycle Road Test Article

Description

1962 BMW R-27 - 3-Page Vintage Motorcycle Road Test Article
Original, vintage magazine article
Page Size: Approx 16" x 11" (42 cm x 28 cm) each page
Condition: Good
Tliis month’s test motorcycle is a
product of the Bayerische Motoren
Werke better known to the true en-
thusiast as the BMW Company. In
trying to test something a little differ-
ent for our CYCLE readers, we de-
cided to try the smaller member of
the BMW line, the 245cc, R-27.
Since the model furnished to us by
western distributor Earl Flanders of
Pasadena, Calif., had only five miles
registered on its odometer, strict
break-in procedure had to be fol-
lowed throughout the test.
At first we couldn’t really decide in
what category to place this Teutonic
jewel. Except for the engine, the R-27
is the same size as its bigger brothers.
And in all other respects there is very
little difference. The 245cc engine
turns out a dependable eighteen
horsepower and has a lugging ability
that many larger motorcycles would
find hard to match. Although peak
horsepower is reached at 7400 rpm,
plenty of snap is available all the way
through the gears. Top speed is about
80 mph, and comfortable cruising
speeds range from 55 to 65 mph.
The engine is a four-stroke with
overhead valves in a “V” arrange-
ment. It sits vertically in the frame
and transmits its power to the rear
wheel through an automotive-type
clutch and a shaft drive. The cylinder
bore is 68mm; so is the stroke. The
compression ratio is 8.2 to 1. Lubrica-
tion is by both pressure and splash
systems. A wet sump is utilized, and
the oil is picked up by a powerful
gear type of pump. The complete
gearbox housing is integral with the
engine.
11238-6206-04