Originally Posted by
BMWCCA
Since you asked:
What you're used to seeing are called telescopic forks, BMW having been the first to use the hydraulically damped version back in the '30s. Actually last year, 2023, was the 100th anniversary for BMW motorcycles. What that white bike (1966 R27) has is called an Earles Fork (named for its British inventor) which is basically a swing-arm with hydraulic shocks. Sort of a rear suspension used on the front. Sometimes referred to as a leading-link, this was the common fork on BMW and Douglas motorcycles. This fork design offers anti-dive characteristics and, as you can see here, also offers the ability to easily lengthen the wheelbase a bit for side-car use. The downside for the Earles is it's a bit heavier, clunkier, and results in slower steering response... ...Just slightly over 1,000 R69US were built for the world from '67 through '69. It is steadily gaining the respect it deserves but the Earles often still commands more money as it looks ancient compared to the US-fork version... ...I've owned this particular R69US for over 30-years.