Developed from the single-cylinder R20 of 1937/38, itself a development of BMW’s best-selling R2, the R23 was produced between 1938 and 1940, 8,021 examples being sold. Powered by an overhead-valve engine producing 10 ps, the R23 came with a four-speed gearbox and featured shaft drive like the larger models. Weight with a full tank of fuel was 297lbs and the top speed around 100 km/h.
source.image: classic-motorcycle.com
This R23 was completed on 22nd December 1939 and delivered to Nibbrig & Greeve in the Netherlands on 23rd July 1940. The machine we present here is an older restoration. It is a fine running bike. The chassis, with the bolted tubular steel frame and the front telescopic fork, were adopted from the R20, but the most distinguishing feature of the R23 was the toolbox which was no longer attached but embedded into the fuel tank.
The 1938 BMW R23 came with standard features such as wire-spoked wheels, a sprung seat, a suspension package with a telescopic fork in the front, a hard-tail rear unit, full-coverage fenders, and a large headlamp, wide handlebars, and a rear luggage rack.
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The drive train, the chassis, the brakes, the front wheel fork and the ignition system were identical to the R 20 model. Only the alternator for the on-board voltage network now had an output of 6 V/75 W. The R 23 model is the original version of all 250 series BMW single-cylinder motorcycles since then shaft drive, which were built until 1966; designed as easy-care and economical everyday vehicles.
