| MODEL | BMW R 50 1955 - 1960 |
| Year | 1955 - 1960 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed boxer, pushrod operated OHV, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Displacement / Capacity | 494 cc / 30.1 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 68 x 68 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 6.8:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Max Power | 19.4 kW / 26 hp @ 5800 rpm |
| Max Torque | 35 Nm / 25.8 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm |
| Ignition | Magneto |
| Induction | 2 x Bing 1/24/45 - 1/24/46 carburettors |
| Start System | Kick |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | — |
| Gear Box | 4 Speed |
| Clutch | Single plate, dry, saucer spring |
| Final Drive | Shaft |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Double loop steel tubular frame |
| Front Suspension | Earles leading-link fork, 116 mm / 4.6 in travel |
| Rear Suspension | Swing arm with spring struts and hydraulic shock absorbers, 104 mm / 4.1 in travel |
| Front Brakes | 200 mm drum, duplex full-width hub |
| Rear Brakes | 200 mm drum, simplex full-width hub |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | 2125 mm / 83.7 in |
| Overall Width | 660 mm / 26.0 in |
| Overall Height | 980 mm / 38.6 in |
| Seat Height | 725 mm / 28.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 1415 mm / 55.7 in |
| Ground Clearance | — |
| Dry Weight | — |
| Wet Weight | 195 kg / 429 lbs |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 3.50 - 18 |
| Rear Tyre | 3.50 - 18 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 17 Litres / 4.5 US gal |
| Fuel Consumption | 4.1 L/100 km / 57 mpg US |
| Top Speed | 140 km/h / 87 mph |
Photo: order_242 from Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Yesterdays Antique Motorcycles, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Launched in 1955 to replace the R 51/3, the R 50 brought BMW's new chassis with swing arms at both ends: an Earles leading-link fork up front and a swing arm with struts behind, plus full-width hub brakes. The 26 hp twin was mild but very smooth and quiet, and period road tests praised its handling and braking. It was a refined touring and sidecar machine sold through BMW's difficult late-1950s years.
