Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
1318
BMW
750 R75 Russian – 1942
Extremely collectible
Hitler’s Germany passionately believed in motorcycles and the BMW R75, better known as the "Type Russia”, is certainly worth — along with its clos relative the Zündapp KS 750 — of being called the most handsome military motorcycle ever built. It was unstoppable — except by the snow of Stalingrad!
Sterling Specs
It was designed between 1931 and 1941, and 16,500 examples were built before the destruction of the Eisenach factory by bombing at the start of 1944. This amazing machine — as rare today as it is expensive — had an off-read performance superior in many respects to that of the Jeep. The specification is impressive: a range of 225 miles, a maximum highway fuel consumption of 52 miles to the gallon (US), empty weight of 962 lbs, and a payload of 1014 lbs.
Working for the Reich
BMW and Zündapp, working together for the Fatherland, borrowed heavily from French and Belgian designs to create a sidecar with a permanently driven wheel. A complex arrangement used a split-torque differential so that different torque was transmitted to either wheel. Designed down to the last detail, the BMW even had a device for warming the rider’s hands and feet and a high-level air filter allowing the machine to plow through deep mud.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 745cc (78x78mm) air-cooled twin-cylinder four-stroke
Power Rating: 26 hp @ 4000 rpm
Valves: overhead
Fuel System: two 24mm carburettors
Transmission: 8-speed plus 2 reverse; shaft final drive; split-torque differential (2/3 motorcycle, 1/3 sidecar)
Suspension: telescopic fork (front; sidecar by torsion bar
Brakes: hydraulic drum (front & rear)
Wheels: 4.50x16 inch
Weight: 929 lb
Maximum Speed: 60 mph
Widely sought after, the BMW R75 is one of the most highly prized collectorÂ’s motorcycles.