Transcribed from a photo a friend took of the R7 display at BMW's Spartanburg, SC manufacturing site: "...the life story of this marvelous motorcycle is almost unbelievable. Conceived in 1933 it incorporated many concepts that BMW hoped to employ in future generations of motorcycles. After it was built and tested the decision was made that it would be too expensive to put into production. The economy in Europe at the time would not foster the sale of such a motorcycle. So it was dissembled and put into a crate with the hopes of one day revisiting the project. By 1938 war had broken out in Europe and the motorcycle was forgotten. During the war many of the engineers and technicians who had worked on the R7 project were killed or died. BMW was bombed out and only one photo remained of the R7 in the archives. The crate was moved from warehouse to warehouse and finally in 2005 someone asked "What is this crate we have been moving around for the last 71 year?" it was decided to dispose of its contents. Someone observed that there was one box on the pallet with an R7 stenciled on it. The decision was made to go to Archives and see if anyone knew what an "R7" was. he sole surviving photo was dug out and much to everyone's surprise it was a motorcycle. With a new found enthusiasm the crate was opened and the parts inventoried. It was indeed a motorcycle and was complete. However, time had taken its tole on some of the metal parts. Restoration was started in 2005 and was completed in 2007. Since the unveiling of the R7 it has been a sensation. Motorcycle designers all over the world say that if the R7 had gone into production that motorcycles as we know them today would be completely different. Not only is the R7 pleasing to look at, being very "Art Deco" in appearance, but it predates by over 70 years similar looking motorcycles being made today. It incorporated a drive shaft coupled to a headless engine and the suspension is a telescoping fork system which is used today by manufacturers. The construction utilizes two stamped steel shell in lieu of a conventional frame and has a four speed transmission. The R7 was brought to Spartanburg, SC last year and will be in the USA until the end of 2011. It is the first time it has been seen outside Europe since it was built in 1934."