BMW R68
The BMW R68 is a sport version of the pre-1955 BMW motorcycles. A total of 1,452 models were manufactured from 1952 to 1954, making it one of BMW's rarest production motorcycles. History In October 1951, at the German International Motorcycle Show in Frankfurt, BMW displayed a new high performance model. The machine had improved performance of compared to the low-compression R67/2, a racing-type magneto, bigger bore 26 mm Bing carburetors and improved twin leading-shoe front brake. It also came with a more modern sporty narrow front fender rather than the deeply valanced fender used on other BMW twins. BMW announced the R68 as "The first 100 mph motorcycle." It was shown as a road bike, capable of , with normal two low exhaust silencers, and an off-road version with a single high silencer. A separate pillion pad resembled a passenger saddle, but was provided for the rider to slide backward in order to crouch low for higher speeds. For the 1954 model year, BMW introduced full-width brakes on the R68. Previously they had half-width brakes. In the photo to the left are some of the unusual elements of the rear part of the R68. Note the exposed, hard chrome drive