1932 BMW R 2

BMW, Distilled to Its Essence by the Great Depression

Story by Brian Bell

History of the BMW R 2

At 198cc, the 1932 R 2 was BMW’s smallest, lowest performance (6.5 bhp) and least expensive bike, ever.

A product of the Depression, it was made to fit a market created when the German government eliminated the license requirement on sub 200cc bikes to increase sales. Economic stimulus through less government, what a concept! 17,825 were sold in five series from 1931 to 1936, the rarest being the series IIa of 1932 at only 2,015. That total number was only surpassed in the vintage-era by the 750cc workhorse R12, made from 1935 to 1941. As good as those numbers were for BMW; at over twice the price of other bikes made for this market, it was still very exclusive. DKW reportedly made over 200,000 of their sub 200cc bike. NSU, Zundapp, D-Rad and many others also made bikes for this class.

It is tempting to use this class to “stereotype” brands. The DKW two-strokes personified cheap and cheerful. NSU is thought of as advanced and efficient. The later Zundapps, which used the same frame as their 400cc and 500cc opposed twins, and 600cc and 800cc opposed 4 cylinder bikes, exemplified rugged Teutonic overkill. So what does this little R2 say about BMW? To add perspective keep in mind, BMW had “owned” the motorcycle speed record since 1928, quickly retaking it whenever their last mark was topped. BMW was used by the German national team to win numerous gold medals in the I.S.D.T. over the previous ten years, and over the next five. The aero division was also in the news with many records and firsts. Consider features cleanly integrated into this bike absent or tacked on to other bikes of the era like keyed ignition, shaft drive and the way the speedometer is recessed into the tank, with the tank cleanly blended into the frame. This particular design was soon copied by Gnome-Rhone, Zundapp, and many others. BMW hired American engineer Edward Budd (12/28/1870 – 11/30/1946) for the frame design, first seen in 1928 on the 750 cc R11 and R16 twins and a distinct design for the singles from 1931. The tooling required for its production motivated the purchase of Dixi Weke, the German franchised producer of the Austin 7. An English design, the Austin 7 was produced all over the world, from Russia to Japan. In fact, Carriker’s was the Orange Co. distributor of the American Austin (later known as the Bantam) in the 1930’s. Budd also designed the ground breaking Chrysler Airflows and built the early Ford GPW Jeep bodies, not to mention bodies for many German vehicles. It was not until 1933 that BMW produced a car of its own design.

The R2 also featured a recirculating, filtered oil system cleanly integrated into the engine cases, as featured all the way back to BMWs first model in 1923 (Evan has restored two R32’s, including a series I, both were still on their standard bore). The first American bike I can find with oil return line to the tank was in 1936. Other features first seen on this BMW included a true air filter (rare on many bikes well into the ‘60’s),’safety rims’ (as soon made standard on German bike by the T.U.V.) and a tunnel case engine design (a very elegant and as far as I can find unique BMW design, utilized through 1995).

So what does this BMW say about BMW? Even in the face of a great depression, even when tasked with designing basic transportation, a BMW was a premium motorcycle at a value price.

Our only ‘as found’ picture. The drive train, tank and rear wheel did not look much better than this.

History of Our R 2

This particular 1932 R 2 /2a is Evan Bell’s, the owner of Irv Seaver Motorcycles, first BMW. After just two weeks on the job, he bought it from his new boss, Irv Seaver, in mid-August of 1959. He still jokes about some of the ‘new guy’ work he got to do for his $1.00 an hour, like rushing through Cushman tune-ups to get to work on “real” bikes and the smell of the dairy farmer’s bike. Who could have guessed that over fifty-five years later he’d still be doing the jobs here no one else would (or could) do.

Helping Irv haul home a collection of old bikes was a job that seemed to suit this young hot rodder well. Chuck Pollard was a CHP motor officer who had been collecting bikes for many years, filling up the family farms’ out buildings as the farming wound down. Chuck Pollard is also kindly remembered by the “young men” of Evans’ generation for starting car clubs at the high schools and helping to get one runway of the Orange County Airport (now known as John Wayne Airport) closed on Sunday afternoons to take street racing off the streets. These were the first organized drag races (starting in 7/2/1950, 10 years before Lyons in Long Beach), a program Evan, and his brother Frank enthusiastically participated in. Chuck's son recently gifted Chuck's OCMC race jersey from the ‘40’s, we framed it and have it on display at the shop.

Irv bought Chuck's whole collection, building a large, two story barn at his home in Lemon Heights to house them. Many of them ended up in either Steve McQueen’s or Bud Ekin's collection. They would come out most Friday afternoons, frequently with Ken Howard (Von Dutch) also crammed into the cab of Steve’s ’46 Ford truck to buy one or two per week for many years.

Irv was a keen vintage bike enthusiast, even before he bought the dealership in 1953 from Judd Carriker. Irv traded the award for the oldest bike ridden to the AMA Death Valley Gypsy Tour with Dewey Bonkrud, an employee of the shop since the 1930’s and a Trailblazers Hall of Fame Member until Dewey clinched it with his 1909 Indian twin.

In hauling this cache of vintage exotica, Evan became enamored by this BMW R2, and a shaft-drive Indian. The Indian was pretty complete and was soon a (slow) runner and only stayed in the stable a short time. On the other hand, the R2 became a bit of a fixture in Evans’ garage. He rebuilt the transmission “because it was there.” Much was not there, and he sent two pictures to the BMW vintage club asking for whatever you don’t see. Nothing came from that request, though we got a kick out of seeing the frame picture show up years later on John Lackos’ excellent website www.beemergarage.com labeled ‘sometimes you don’t find much.' It did change hands a few times, going from Evan to Bob Livsay, from Bob to Damon Richie, a well-known bike painter. By some accounts, Damon originated the R90S Daytona orange smoked paint and we know first hand he was the painter of the ’73 Rob North framed, Udo Geitl built, Reg Pridmore piloted BMW F750 GP bike (reportedly 104 rear wheel HP and a very verifiable 310lb starting weight, clocked at 165 MPH at Daytona, also in Evans’ collection and to be featured later in this series). Evan purchased or traded it back from Damon and, years later, sold it on to a Sterman flying photographer, Michael Rupp. After making more progress than all the others combined Michael traded the still incomplete R2 back to Evan for a rebuild of his R69S after 4 or 5 years. When we finished the restoration, we E-mailed Mr. Rupp a picture. He had recently sold the still healthy R69S, but is still riding a 1960’s R50/2 he bought from us and (we noticed) recommending our service department online.
Back ‘home’, and now with nearly 50 years of experience and a few more resources at hand a goal was set to finish it in time for Evan’s 50th anniversary. Approximately 50 years with Irv Seaver Motorcycles, his wife Lois, and infection with the BMW bike bug.

You can see the 1932 R2 and many more vintage and classic motorcycles at Irv Seaver BMW in Orange County, California.  Whether you ride a super modern BMW Motorcycle or a decades old classic, we are one of the few dealers in the nation that welcomes all BMW Riders.  Come by for outstanding deals on New BMW Motorcycles, or an extensive, technician checked Pre-Owned selection.  Irv Seaver BMW is proud to have one of the top nationally ranked Service Divisions.  No matter what your moto-desires are, Irv Seaver BMW is there to make and keep you very happy.

1923 BMW R 32

1923 BMW R32

by Jim Foreman and Brian Bell

A Good Beginning for the Best Motor Cycle in the World

When BMW was incorporated in 1918 it was already the product of several pioneering aircraft motor companies merging. The roots were planted as early as 1911 by the Otto family that had made the first four cycle engine in 1876. This factory by the Munich Airport produced the most advanced and refined engines through World War I and looked to continue its upward trajectory into peace time.  The BMW aircraft engine set a world altitude record in May/June 1919 showing their capabilities.  The record was established just as the June 28^th implementation of the Treaty of Versailles forbade German manufacturing of articles of war, all drawings were confiscated and production halted. This proud company made furniture, train parts and motors for agriculture, boats and motorcycles, reportedly literally melting down armaments into farm tools.

As the Treaty of Versailles gradually lifted, BMW was granted the German license to build the Pratt and Whitney aero engines, and stop-gap work ended. But a “BMW” of motorcycles had an appeal, and BMW head engineer, Max Friz, turned his hand to the rest of the motorcycles, refining the motor that had been used by others, turning it across a double cradle frame, bolting the transmission directly to it and driving the rear wheel with a very clean, safe and refined shaft. It can be debated that the BMW R32 was the first true modern motorcycle, other than an evolution of a powered bicycle.

A surprising amount of architecture and features used in the R 32 are still present, endearing and beneficial, 90 years later in the R nineT. Beyond opposed twin engine design and drive shaft, the R 32 through R nineT boxers use a simple, durable, clunk free automotive style clutch, but beyond any auto design they move the troublesome throw out bearing to the rear cover of the transmission. The round head light, and for that matter, all electrics, are still Bosch.  Even the controls, not standardized by 1923, are similar, left hand clutch, right hand and foot brake and the throttle on the right (for example, Indian persisted with left hand throttles and Harley-Davidson did not have a hand clutch until the 1950s).  

Over 3,000 R 32s were produced from Nov. of 1923 through 1926. That was a very good run for that era. Of those, the only estimates by BMW of the series I to be produced is “a hand full”. Though a premium product, in what was perceived as a utility market, it sold well and was warmly received. The R 32 found many uses from racing to police work and naturally for the true motorcycle enthusiast.

Evan Bell and this R32

In 1959 a young Orange County native named Evan Bell was recommended to Irv Seaver Motorcycles and was given a job as a line mechanic. Though BMW was only a side line in Irv’s Santa Ana dealership, Evan quickly grew to appreciate the engineering, design and quality of the bikes. Thus began a relationship still deepening to this day.

The passion for restoring bikes was completely natural for this drag racing, dirt bike riding farm boy. Within 2 weeks, he had a vintage 1932 BMW R2 to tinker with and within a month, he was the proud owner of an R50 to ride. In 1962, Irv sent Evan to the BMW factory in Munich for training, a treat that still brings a smile to his face. His sincere enthusiasm for the marque and reputation grew.

Evan’s career with Irv Seaver Motorcycles continued to grow also. Working his way up to master mechanic, parts manager, salesman, sales manager, and to general manager in 1969.  Evan finally became the owner in 1979. Throughout, his dedication to BMWs, old and new, grew. In 1976 Evan saw an ad in the Vintage BMW Bulletin, buried on page 10.

For Sale: 1923 R32, possibly the oldest BMW model in the world. The 41^st motorcycle to be manufactured.  Price CA. $9,000.

Though the “Vintage BMW Bulletin” was an American club, the motorcycle was listed “for sale” by Hans Kaiser in (West) Berlin, Germany. Realizing he’d be going to Berlin for a BMW sales event, Evan wrote to Herr. Kaiser and arranged to see the bike.

The R 32 was complete but rough. As a restoration had been started, Evan was thankful for the as-found photos. They showed a bike that was honest, and surprisingly intact, though obviously disassembled many years previously. It was a great starting point.

Evan arranged payment and had the bike crated and shipped back to the states. Upon arrival, it was assembled to evaluate its true condition and needs. Indeed, as listed, this bike was the oldest BMW known at the time. In fact, it was the only series I of the first model known. From 1924 through 1926, the Series II (/2) R32 gained a front brake, four years before the first American bike to get one, a timed engine breather and a shock coupling in the drive shaft, among other details. To date, BMW has only acknowledged one older bike, just recently.

A “no deadline” restoration proceeded. It was aided by the purchase and restoration of a 1924 R32. This bike was done much earlier and rented to BMW for display at the world trade center in the early ‘80’s, for the ’88 new bike brochure and use at the International Motorcycle Shows. It also was featured in some of the Guggenheim Museums’ “Art of the Motorcycle” shows.  The 1924 R 32 was sold during our remodel and expansion in 2012. Evan likes to joke that it paid for our concrete parking lot.

The restoration of the ’23 was as close to a ‘no compromise’ job as the real world will allow. Southern California is home to many world class craftsmen, and Evan knew many of them. Machine work beyond Evans’ Maxi Mat lathe and mill was handled by good friend (and Ernie Ball tool and die makers) Ron Saul and Dan Norton. Cast aluminum repair and general welding artistry was performed by Jim Shirley. Original fenders and tanks straightened by Richard Stroman, pin striping was laid on by Damon Richie.  Trips to Veterama in Germany by Evan and friends found details down to new, old stock spark plugs.

The R 32 was finally completed in 1998, coincidentally its 75^th birthday.  It was presented at the BMW MOA rally in Missoula, Montana, earning the very first Vern Mitchell Award. From then until a very targeted invitation to the granddaddy of concourses, it has never failed to take top honors where ever it was shown, from local charity events to the Legend of the Motorcycle show at Half Moon Bay. Evan did not feel too slighted when it did not place at the Pebble Beach Concourse, we were dinged for reproduction tires and they actually noticed some stainless steel that should have been nickel plated steel. If anyone has a perfect set of period, clincher Continental tires we would appreciate a call.

Evan and Lois Bell at Pebble Beach

Bopping around the Greens at Pebble Beach was the classiest place Evan has ridden his R32, but definitely not the only one. He normally starts it by hand, in deference to the nickel plated kick starter. The compression release allows priming; if that is not enough there are priming taps directly into the cylinders. The longest and fastest ride was actually on the 1924 R32 from down town Mariposa, CA to the fairgrounds. It cruised comfortably at 60MPH (96Kph) on the highway.  BMW claimed the top speed was 100Kph. The R 32 proved to be a bit of a handful around modern traffic, with an aircraft style two lever throttle and a completely manual spark timing.

On any business day, Tuesday through Saturday, the R32 can be seen, upon request, at Irv Seaver Motorcycles in Orange, California. It resides upstairs, with Evans’ other “keepers”.

©2015 Jim Foreman