BMW's Secret Weapon

Remember Raiders of the Lost Ark when the Arc of the Covenant was boxed up and put away in storage in the Smithsonian warehouse? (The government warehouse plot device even has its own website) It turns out that BMW sealed up a secret weapon of its own for long term storage.

Recently revealed in Issue #3 of BMW Motorcycle Magazine, is the 1934 R7 prototype. This stunningly creative, art deco concept was boxed up and shelved as World War II approached. With the economy the way it is, we all need lift. Perhaps with sales down, some engineers decided to see what was down in the basement. As the story goes, they opened up a crate and found this 70-year-old 800cc treasure complete with its innovative hydraulically dampened telescopic forks. Perhaps this is BMW's secret weapon hidden behind a glass plate that says “Break glass in case of economy.” This wickedly beautiful bike is just what the doctor ordered.