BMWR3 1936 - 1937

　　In 1936, four years after the release of the large R4 single-cylinder motorcycle, BMW presented the R3 at the German Motor Show in Berlin. The R3 had a 300cc single-cylinder engine but was unfavorably placed on the market because it didn’t have the performance of the R4 nor the advantage of the unrequired license for the R2. The model was built in 740 units and fell significantly short of the company’s expectations.

　　The bike came in a design that was common at the time, with a pressed steel frame, a front fork, and a swingarm with leaf springs suspension mounted above the fender, while the back was left rigid with the wheel mounted directly to the frame.

　　The 1936 BMW R3 had a 305cc four-stroke air-cooled engine at its core with a power output of 11 hp at 4,200 rpm. Fitted with a four-speed manual transmission and with a weight of 149 kg (328 lbs), the R3 reached a top speed of 100 kph (62 mph).

　　The brakes were handled by a 200 mm drum unit on the front wheel and a 200 mm drum unit on the rear wheel.

　　The model came with standard features such as wire-spoked wheels, a sprung seat, a large headlight, a taillight, and large fenders.

　　The BMW R3 model was later replaced by a new single-cylinder engine model as early as 1937.