ENGINE 600CC M261/1 BOXER
OUTPUT 18 HP @ 4,800 RPM
CURB WEIGHT 405 LBS.
TOP SPEED 71 MPH, 62 MPH W/SIDECAR
PRICE WHEN NEW RM 1,420 ($230)
YEARS PRODUCED 1938-’41
COLOR RED & BLACK
NUMBER BUILT 3,747
OWNER JACK WELLS (SINCE APPROX. 2012)
LOCATION LAKE CITY, FLORIDA
#512402
1938 R 61
New for 1938, the R 61 touring bike used BMW’s fullysuspended tube-steel frame powered by a side-valve engine. The four-speed gearbox was foot-shifted, with a hand shifter optional. The R 61 seen here was first used by the German postal service with a utility sidecar built by Royal, an exact replica of which was commissioned from Ideal by owner Jack Wells during the bike’s restoration. Jack’s Deutsche Post R 61 is
believed to be the only one of its type, and it’s been honored with several Best in Class awards.