1950 R25/1 Schuerman 3-Cylinder Radial

I ran across this on the German einzylinder forum. Pretty cool...

http://community.motozania.com/_1950-BMW-R251-Schuerman-3-cylinder-radial-/photo/15053614/29029.html

Extreme closeup:

http://community.motozania.com/_1950-BMW-R251-Schuerman/photo/15053611/29029.html?enlarge=true

More information

More pictures:

https://picasaweb.google.com/114008...uthkey=Gv1sRgCOeWlNWH1LXb7wE&feat=directlink#

Evan Bell, owner of Irv Seaver BMW, add these comments:

"It was built by Mr Schuerman in the 1950ÔÇÖS. He had some oiling problems and lower end went bad several times. The motorcycle was given to me 20 years plus ago to make it run. After much procrastination, I got it running a couple years ago and believe I found the problem with oiling. This is around 300cc four cycle flathead. The cam shaft has two lobes and turns one revolution per four of crank. The builder was not a machinist or engineer. He was a radio repairman."

His son, Brain Bell added:

"The motor is a 4 stroke, side valve 120 degree radial with bronze heads and roller tappet cam followers riding on a single, two lobe, 1/4 engine speed cam operating all six valves, intake and exhaust! The transmission is a four speed with all helical cut gears. Very ingenuously, the transmission incorporates primary kick starting. This allows the rider to start the bike without having to find neutral, not that we have noticed any issue finding neutral with the no drag, automotive/BMW style single plate clutch. Yes, it's running and functioning again. It keeps up with surface street traffic, but we have not done any top speed or performance testing."

That is the most natural-looking radial I have ever seen in a motorcycle frame. The ingenuity of people never ceases to amaze me.