BMW R7 Concept (1934)

BMW R7 Concept. Made in Germany. Motorcycles have allowed BMW to survive as a company after both WWI and WWII. With the streamlining fad moving through the world of automotive design in the '20's and '30's, BMW decided that the next motorcycle that they built would be streamlined. The R7 was meant to be a luxurious cruiser which did not sit well with many of the traditionalists within the company who wanted BMW to stick with their roots by continuing to produce sporting bikes. The BMW R7 was a "one off" prototype. The motorcycle would have been too heavy and too expensive for production due to the necessary re-tooling at the factory for metal pressings and new castings for the engine, gearbox, and cylinders. Upon completion, the BMW R7 was not exhibited in any automotive shows. Plans to enter the bike into production were immediately shelved. The R7 was dismantled and placed into a crate and stored in the factory basement. In 2005, the motorcycle was taken out of the crate and restored by BMW.

The BMW R7 Concept had an 800cc, horizontally opposed flat twin (boxer style) motor which was capable of 35HP. The top speed was estimated at 100 MPH.