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 28th
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 41st 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
75th 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
