The R32 was the first motorcycle to wear the "spinning propeller" BMW logo. BMW started as a manufacturer of aeroplane engines in 1916, but the Treaty of Versailles after WWI in 1919 forbade any German company from building aircraft engines, so BMW were forced to change their core business. What they turned to was the manufacture of engines for motorcycles and later cars. Their first motorcycle engine was a flat two cylinder engine (similar in layout to the engines used in modern BMW motorcycles), which was used by a number of other motorcycle manufacturers.
In 1923 BMW built their first branded motorcycle, the R32. The model here by Minichamps is described as the 1923 R32, but in researching this review I discovered that the 1923 R32s did not have front brakes as this model does. The front brake was added to the 1924 R32s and hence I've labelled this model as a 1924 R32.
For it's time it was a very advanced machine, with shaft drive to the rear wheel and both of the two cylinder heads sticking out each side of the bike to aid cooling (a feature common to most BMW motorcycles right up to the present day). The engine itself displaced 486cc and produced 8.5 hp, giving a top speed of 60mph, which was very quick indeed in the early 1920s. Another advanced system BMW developed for the R32 was a closed circuit wet sump oiling system. Most contemporary motorcycles at the time used a total loss oiling system which was far less efficient.
The new R32 proved to be very successful, with around 3000 being built between 1923 and 1926 when it went out of production.
I don't have many motorcycles in my collection but I made an exception for this fine model by Minichamps (plus I got it for a bargain price on eBay!). It came in a BMW dealer exclusive box and was first released in 2001. I don't think it was released as a regular edition by Minichamps, but as of August 2006 there seems to be plenty of them for sale on eBay and I believe it is still available from the parts counter at any BMW dealer (part number: 80.43.9.421.543).
The model has lots of fine detail for such a small model (as most 1:18th motorcycles are) including superb black paint and pinstriping, a wired engine and realistic looking Dunlop branded tires. A proper rating of this model will have to wait until our house move is complete as currently (August 2006) my collection is boxed up and in storage. It is probably the best motorcycle model in my collection and a fine model to add to any BMW themed collection.
%
