This BMW R35 definitely deserves to take a closer look at. For one thing it’s a motorcycle with a design of the pre WWII era. For another, this particular R35 is a wondrous combination of priceless patina and reckless attempt to make the bike looking as being restored.
So I shot a lot of R35 detailed photos and here they are along with my comments. As I wrote about patina, here is the most prominent representative of “patinated” parts: the BMW emblem on the left side of the R35 frame. From the look of it, the emblem was repainted a couple of times (and at least once that was made along with frame repainting). Result is fascinating and hard to imitate:
As I already mentioned, many of those parts that are original are damaged: handlebar was hammered much more than once. However, combined control which consists from ignition timing lever and horn button still looks nice:
Not much remained from original internal throttle:
Original steering damper still in its place, but it is working poorly:
Exhaust system, from the look of it, dragged out a miserable existence and was, let’s say, pretty badly chewed.
Both passenger foot platforms are broken, the right one is likely by the kick starter lever. Original kick pedal has a straight lever and if one forgot to fold the passenger foot platform before kicking the engine alive, the lever crashed right into the platform.
Fuel tank cap completely lost its chrome plating. I like its brass look, but unfortunately this cap is also damaged.
Some parts are not original. Speedometer came from Hungarian Pannonia T5: another motorcycle that was then produced in a block of socialist countries.
The headlight lens was made in the USSR.
The rear fender likely came from BMW R71, or its non-licensed Soviet copy: M72. Just look how badly it was cut with a gas cutting torch to fit R35.
And here is what the bike has for carburettor:
That’s not all non-original parts. I think that one who is acknowledged in soviet motorcycles with boxer engines (totally “inspired” by BMW motorcycles ) could recognize the assortment of rubber parts used for rider footpegs, shaft dampers and so on and so forth.
Engine is of the later type (without a ventilation pipe that joined the crankcase and cylinder head ) was painted in ridiculous golden colour. Same was made to the gearbox case. It is also, as I already mentioned, of later type and is equipped with foot operated gear switch lever.
Recognizable things, BMW knee grips definitely have seen better times:
Seat suspension is of pretty clever design and it is still working well.
The art work of Time: surface of seat covered in craquelure:
And here are rear and front hubs. They are made of steel. As you may see some spokes on rear wheels were replaced with pieces of steel wire.
And last photo: the front fender seems to have original painting including a famous BMW double “pinstriping”.
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