BMW 1939 R35 340cc 1 cyl OHV 3610

BMW 1939 R35 340cc OHV single frame # 311443 engine # 351122

The early history of BMW single cylinder machines appears somewhat erratic as to the chosen cubic capacity. From 1925 to 1927 the R39 is available, which measures 247 cc. This model is not very successful with 855 machines sold. A single cylinder model is not in the range till 1931, when the 198 cc R2 sees the light. This model is positioned in the class up to 200 cc, for which no driver’s licence is needed and no tax has to be paid. The R2 helps the company through the difficult Depression years, with 15,200 machines sold. Later in 1931 a 398 cc model is brought out, the R4. This is essentially a further developed R2 and is meant to fill the gap between the R2 and the twins. The Reichswehr and government organisations in Germany are developing fast and are in need of medium capacity machines. The R4 stays in production till 1938 and 15.295 machines are produced. In 1936 the company brings out a 305 cc version, the R3, but this model is a bad seller and is pulled back after less than a year. In 1937 we see a new version of the light R2, the R20 and the successor of the popular R4, the R35. The capacity is brought down to 340 cc to fit the model in the international 350 cc competition class. The frame is still of the pressed steel type but the machine gets modern telescopic front forks. The bulk of production, that will continue till 1941, is for the authorities and from 1939 on all R35s will go to the Wehrmacht. Up to 1941 more than 15,000 R35s will be sold; the R35 succeeds in matching the commercial success of the previous R2 and R4. After the war the model experiences a renaissance when production is started up again at the Eisenach plant using existing stocks of manufactured components.
The R35 has bore x stroke dimensions of 72 x 84 mm and a compression ration of 6:1. Power output is 14 hp @4,500 rpm, good for a top speed of 100 km/h. Toolbox and battery case are integrated in the aluminium engine housing.
The machine we present here was inherited by the former owner as an unfinished restoration project. He finished the restoration and assembled the machine. Not all parts are original prewar items. A BMW single cylinder expert confirmed that the frame and engine are genuinely prewar. The engine number has been restamped at some time but a Wehrmacht stamp is still visible on the crankcase. The gearbox, cylinder and head and rear mudguard were produced after 1945 and some other items are new, such as headlamp, carburettor and exhaust. This goodlooking touring BMW single is a good runner.