The BMW R12 was an evolution of the iconic R7 concept and it was the first motorcycle in the world with hydraulically damped telescoping forks. BMW produced roughly 36,008 over a production run between 1935 and 1942.
The R12 was powered by a 750cc boxer twin pushing either 18 or 20 horsepower (depending on if it had one carb or two) through a 4-speed transmission and shaft final drive. Claimed top speed was either 68 or 75 miles per hour (again, depending on the number of carbs). It weighed 357 pounds dry and had a 3.7 gallon fuel tank. Shifting was handled with a lever on the right side of the tank.
The seller of this example (VIN: 207663) acquired it through Mike Dunn of vintagegermanmotorcycles.com He claims that it had been “reportedly restored overseas thensold to a private collector in the United States.” The seller had the magneto sent out to Krad-Koch in Germany for a rebuild but he notes that the bike has “been sitting covered and has not been started in the last summer. I’d recommend a tune up if you want to make it a daily rider.”
He includes a start up video from last summer:
Find this R12 in Riverside, California with a BIN of $34,999 or best offer here on eBay.