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Absolute Gem: Diamond Atelier’s BMW R100R

The third build from Munich-based Diamond Atelier is this brutal-looking BMW R100R custom.
We’re calling it: the custom boxer movement has reached critical mass. More BMWs are rolling off workbenches than ever before, so builders have to look at Bavaria’s sweetheart with fresh eyes to get noticed.

This neo-noir BMW R100R from Diamond Atelier is more of a swift kick to the jaw than a breath of fresh air. Astonishingly, it’s only the third build from the Munich-based shop—but it’s ganz wunderbar.

The third build from Munich-based Diamond Atelier is this brutal-looking BMW R100R custom.
“There was talk of our first motorcycle [a stunning BMW R80] being an unrideable show bike,” says Diamond Atelier’s Tom Konecny. “Even though I raced it in the Glemseck 101 Sprint last year.”

“So with this build, we had to step it up. Not only in terms of visuals and details, but also performance and rideability.”

The third build from Munich-based Diamond Atelier is this brutal-looking BMW R100R custom.
This time round, the duo wanted a donor with a bigger engine and better suspension, and managed to find a 1994 BMW R100R Classic. It’s basically a road-biased version of the contemporary R100GS, and shares the GS’s beefy Paralever swingarm.

A more aggressive stance was in order; dropping the front suspension by three inches achieved the desired effect. The wheels have been stripped and re-finished: rims in black, and hubs in gold metal-flake.

An offset was added to the rear hub to accommodate a 6.3-inch tire, and at the front, the guys selected the highest profile tire that would fit. Tom admits that Continental’s knobby TKC80s are not the best tire choice for a road bike—but says there’s still a decent amount of grip, and “the look makes up for a little wheelspin fun at the back.”

The third build from Munich-based Diamond Atelier is this brutal-looking BMW R100R custom.
Tossing the R100R’s gawky stock tank and seat in the bin, Diamond Atelier fitted an older and more recognizable R-series tank—pitching it forward to match the bike’s new line. A new subframe and a hand-stitched leather seat follow through.

Up front, a perfectly aligned headlight from LSL adds a modern touch. (“And no, the headlight does not hit the front tire when riding through potholes,” says Tom.) There’s a small LED tail light poking out behind the seat.

The third build from Munich-based Diamond Atelier is this brutal-looking BMW R100R custom.
Motogadget supplied the turn signals: m-Blaze Disc bar-end units up front, with new m-Blaze Pins mounted on the foot peg brackets for the rear. The requisite clip-ons and rear-sets are modified aftermarket items—the former fitted with custom CNC-milled controls.

Diamond Atelier also re-worked the BMW’s top triple clamp, then added a plate cut with their logo and the bike’s number on top. Set into it is the crowning jewel of this build (quite literally): a 0.17-carat diamond.

The third build from Munich-based Diamond Atelier is this brutal-looking BMW R100R custom.
To wring as much power out of the engine as possible, Tom and Pablo have installed a pair of 40mm Dell’Orto carbs, K&N filters and an Akrapovic racing exhaust. Where the airbox once lived, they’ve fitted an elegant aluminum cover made by a German gentleman.

“He’s produced many pieces for old airhead boxers and Guzzis, but they were discontinued. We think we may have bought the last one.” It’s now adorned with a diamond motif.

The third build from Munich-based Diamond Atelier is this brutal-looking BMW R100R custom.
Matching the upgrade in power is an improved braking system up front. That means a 320mm double floating brake disc kit, with Brembo calipers, a custom Brembo master cylinder, and braided stainless steel hoses.

Diamond Atelier wanted the final product to be as uncluttered as possible. So, they cut the wiring right down to the basics, replacing the BMW’s car-sized battery with tiny Linergy battery packs, hidden under the tank. The speedo’s as hidden as can be: it’s been mounted directly to the gearbox. While it’s not the most practical position, it’s just visible enough to be considered legal.

The third build from Munich-based Diamond Atelier is this brutal-looking BMW R100R custom.
The finishes of DA#3 match its demeanor: dark and brooding. The tank is painted deep grey with gold pinstripes, and the rest of the bike is predominantly black—with tasteful gold highlights throughout.

The effect works. “Every time we ride this bike around downtown Munich, people pull out their smartphones and start taking pictures whenever we stop,” says Tom.

We’re not surprised—we can’t take our eyes off it, either.

Diamond Atelier website | Instagram | Facebook page | Images © 2015 Philipp Wulk.

The third build from Munich-based Diamond Atelier is this brutal-looking BMW R100R custom.

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Customizing a classic: CRD’s BMW R80ST

Cafe Racer Dreams delivers a masterclass in customizing a BMW classic motorcycle.
Café Racer Dreams don’t exclusively build BMWs, but you could call them specialists. With several elegant examples under their belts—including these two stunning R100s—they’ve learnt a thing or two about turning wrenches on Bavaria’s finest.

Most of CRD’s classic BMWs share similar technical upgrades and under-the-hood mods. Yet each new ‘airhead’ that rolls out of the Madrid-based workshop is unique—and still manages to capture our attention.

Cafe Racer Dreams delivers a masterclass in customizing a BMW classic motorcycle.
That’s because proprietors Pedro García and Efraon Triana have something that can’t be taught: impeccable taste, with an eye for lines, proportions and details.

CRD #59—a 1983 R80ST—is one such bike. It’s the first time that CRD have given a BMW a more traditional café treatment, and they’ve done a stellar job.

Cafe Racer Dreams delivers a masterclass in customizing a BMW classic motorcycle.
Pedro explains that “classic” and “very low” were keywords when #59 was conceived. Essentially a road-going R80G/S, the stock R80ST benefits from a classy single-sided swingarm and monoshock setup—but it’s anything but low. CRD sorted out the stance by slamming the forks and kicking up the rear with a longer shock. The front brake was upgraded with a Galfer disc and a braided hose.

As with all of their BMWs, CRD un-bolted the stock subframe, removed its mounting tabs and welded on a shorter and slimmer unit. In the process they removed the unsightly “ears” that usually hold the muffler and passenger pegs. New passenger peg supports were added, and equipped with a set of Tarozzi pegs.

Cafe Racer Dreams delivers a masterclass in customizing a BMW classic motorcycle.
A R75/5 ‘toaster’ tank was sourced and fitted. Out of love for the original toaster design, CRD opted not to repaint it—installing it with a little patina intact. They then created a café-style seat to complete the lines. The bike’s finished off at either end with custom steel fenders. They’ve been polished to match the tank’s side panels.

And yes, those tires are Firestone Deluxe Champions. Pedro explains the choice: “This is a bike for enjoying, not for racing—and the Firestones look better than anything else.”

Cafe Racer Dreams delivers a masterclass in customizing a BMW classic motorcycle.
The R80 engine was still mechanically sound, so CRD merely swapped its covers out for more vintage looking ‘peanut’ items. The airbox was removed, and the battery relocated to its space—housed in a hand-made leather box.

CRD built the R80’s peculiar exhaust in-house. It’s designed to leave the left side of the bike clear, to help show off the bike’s single-sided swingarm. We dig it, and would love to hear it.

Cafe Racer Dreams delivers a masterclass in customizing a BMW classic motorcycle.
Another habit that CRD have formed is rewiring each of their BMWs with a full complement of Motogadget bits. At the heart of the new electrical system is the Motogadget m-Unit: a pricey yet effective digital control unit.

Other bits include m-Switches at the handlebars (with the wires running inside the bars), and a Motoscope Tiny speedo mounted in the headlight.

Cafe Racer Dreams delivers a masterclass in customizing a BMW classic motorcycle.
For an ultra-low front end, CRD inverted a set of Renthal bars. The grips are from Biltwell Inc., and the headlight, taillight and turn signals are all available from CRD’s own online store.

CRD #59’s finishes are delightfully subtle: everything’s either been powder coated black, cleaned up and left raw, or polished.

Cafe Racer Dreams delivers a masterclass in customizing a BMW classic motorcycle.
We’ll chalk it up as another win for Café Racer Dreams—and another classic BMW that we want for ourselves.

Photos by Enrique PachecoCafe Racer Dreams website | Facebook | Instagram

See also: Top Five BMW R-Series Customs Part One | Part Two

Cafe Racer Dreams delivers a masterclass in customizing a BMW classic motorcycle.

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¡Qué bonita! A Sublime R100 RS from Spain

Since he established Kiddo Motors in 2010, Sergio Armet's held our attention with a steady stream of good-looking custom bikes, like this BMW R100.
Ever since he established Kiddo Motors in 2010, Sergio Armet has held our attention with a steady stream of keen-looking builds. Customers have noticed too—so Sergio’s had to grow his team.

Last year, 24-year-old Christoffer Mårtensson—a product designer from Malmö, Sweden—hopped over to Barcelona to join the workshop. He’s now cut his teeth on this stripped down BMW R100 RS.

Since he established Kiddo Motors in 2010, Sergio Armet's held our attention with a steady stream of good-looking custom bikes, like this BMW R100.
The BMW’s owner was after something “in a classic café style”—with a budget geared towards reliability rather than outright performance. “The idea was to keep the patina,” says Sergio, “but with a clean and minimalistic look.”

Sergio immediately set Christoffer to work on the frame. Rather than rebuilding just the rear, the team decided to redesign the entire frame from front to back. “We wanted a straight line from the engine through to the subframe,” says Sergio, “and wanted to eliminate the BMW’s characteristic engine incline.”

Since he established Kiddo Motors in 2010, Sergio Armet's held our attention with a steady stream of good-looking custom bikes, like this BMW R100.
Once the frame was done, Kiddo modified the drive shaft to work with the revised geometry and reinforced the top yoke. They then added a hand-made leather seat and front fender to complete the bodywork.

To make sure the BMW runs for years to come, the engine was completely overhauled. Sergio also decided to bring the electrical system up to date: he’s installed a 14V alternator, a 14V voltage controller, power coils and a new CDI.

Since he established Kiddo Motors in 2010, Sergio Armet's held our attention with a steady stream of good-looking custom bikes, like this BMW R100.
All of that’s hooked up to a brand new, simpler wiring harness, running off a Motogadget m-Unit and a Lithium-ion battery. (The battery’s mounted behind the gearbox in a custom-made casing.) Motogadget also supplied the Motoscope Tiny speedo (sunk into the headlight) and handlebar switches, and Kiddo have installed a keyless m-Lock system too.

The rearsets are from Tarozzi—fixed to a set of one-off brackets—and there are mounting points for passenger pegs. Up front are a pair of Tommaselli clip-ons. The headlight is from Kymco and the taillight is a LED Bates-style unit.

Since he established Kiddo Motors in 2010, Sergio Armet's held our attention with a steady stream of good-looking custom bikes, like this BMW R100.
Other neat little touches include a Monza gas cap, Goodridge brake lines and blacked-out Norton style silencers. Avon Roadrider tires round off the package.

We can’t tear our eyes away from the BMW’s tank though—finished in bare metal with a dash of turquoise.

Since he established Kiddo Motors in 2010, Sergio Armet's held our attention with a steady stream of good-looking custom bikes, like this BMW R100.
Note how the color of the fuel lines matches the tank—it’s just one of many thoughtful details that make this build simply magnifico.

Kiddo Motors website | Facebook | Instagram | Photos by Roger Casas | See more Kiddo builds in the Archives

Since he established Kiddo Motors in 2010, Sergio Armet's held our attention with a steady stream of good-looking custom bikes, like this BMW R100.

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Top 5 BMW R Nine T customs

BMW's R nineT motorcycle: a smash hit with custom builders.
BMW came out swinging when they released the R nineT. Even before the bike went on sale, it was farmed out to some of the world’s top custom builders: a clear indication of BMW’s new-found love for the custom scene.

There’s a lot to love about the R nineT itself. It’s powered by the punchy 1200cc boxer motor and it’s kitted out with a hydraulic clutch, ABS brakes, beefy USD forks and twin Akropovic mufflers. So it’s an absolute blast to ride (we’re speaking from experience).

BMW's R nineT motorcycle: a smash hit with custom builders.
But it’s the R nineT’s looks that really set it apart: a stunning two-tone paint scheme and extremely minimalistic trim. It’s also a bit of a chameleon, with a configurable subframe and seat arrangement that allows users to swap between standard, café and bobber configurations.

Now that the dust has settled on the launch, we’re seeing more and more custom R nineTs coming through. Just last week we featured a stunning example by Texan shop Revival Cycles. Now we’ve rounded up another five that we just can’t take our eyes off.

BMW Concept 90 motorcycle by Roland Sands.
Roland Sands Concept 90 Before BMW Motorrad officially launched the R nineT, they fired a warning shot: the Concept 90. Based on a pre-production R nineT, it was built by Roland Sands (in cahoots with BMW’s design team) as a homage to the iconic R 90 S.

The R 90 S was a pretty big deal in its day—but the Concept 90’s more of an evolution than a reissue. The unmistakable Daytona Orange paint scheme is an obvious throwback, as are the bikini fairing and tail hump. These are a lot more streamlined though—to match the R nineT’s more modern physique and to give it a racy feel.

BMW Concept 90 motorcycle by Roland Sands.
Performance is improved thanks to Öhlins suspension, upgraded brakes, a unique air filter setup and dual Roland Sands Design mufflers. There’s also a stack of custom-made RSD parts—some of which will be available for purchase soon.

We’ve been lucky enough to see the Concept 90 in the flesh: to say that the level of detail and craftsmanship is impressive would be a gross understatement. So much so, that at 2013’s Wheels & Waves festival, it attracted more attention than all the other bikes put together.

Roland Sands Design | More Roland Sands bikes

BMW R nineT customized by UCC.
Unique Custom Cycles’ Stockholm Syndrome Sweden’s UCC have been building custom motorcycles for almost 20 years. So, when BMW Motorrad wanted a bike to enter into the Norrtälje Custom Bike Show, they knew just who to turn to. In just 35 days, UCC created Stockholm Syndrome: the Concept 90’s naked, blue cousin.

They started by cutting and raking the frame, before building new forks and triple trees in collaboration with Tolle Engineering. Perka Nyström of Plebs Choppers supplied new insets.

BMW R nineT customized by UCC.
The tank was trimmed—matched to a solo tail piece sitting on a new subframe. UCC also fabricated a new oil cooler and a stainless steel exhaust system, and hooked the latter up to a Burns muffler. Some tasty bits from ISR and Öhlins rounded off the package.

Stockholm Syndrome went on to take second place in the Custom Class of the Norrtälje show: no mean feat for a café-roadster in a competition dominated by choppers.

More images | Unique Custom Cycles

BMW R nineT customized by Cherry's Company.
Cherry’s Company Highway Fighter The Japanese custom scene has always marched to the beat of its own drum. This was made abundantly clear when BMW Motorrad handed the R nineT to four of Japan’s top builders to do their thing.

Go Takamine, Hideya Togashi and Shiro Nakajima all built excellent examples. But this provocative black number from Kaichiro Kurosu of Cherry’s Company stopped us dead in our tracks.

BMW R nineT customized by Cherry's Company.
Delightfully noir, Kurosu calls his vision “near future”. His hand-beaten aluminum bodywork is masterfully executed—complemented by a set of modified Custom Chrome RevTech Billet wheels (18” at the front and 16” at the rear). The stock forks have been lowered with custom internals to tweak the R nineT’s stance, and the subframe, top yokes, steering stem and foot controls are all custom.

We’re not sure what we love more: the skeletal mesh section between the tank and belly pan, or the subtle, hot-rod style pinstriping on the nose fairing and tail.

Custom Project Diary | Cherry’s Company website | High resolution gallery

BMW R nineT customized by Smokin' Motorcycles.
Smokin’ Motorcycles Elegant Bastard Based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Smokin’ Motorcycles are relatively fresh faces on the custom scene. This R nineT (their third build) was their entry into the BMW Soul Fuel Challenge—a competition put together by BigTwin Magazine and BMW Motorrad Netherlands.

Smokin’ describe it as “an elegant motorcycle with rough edges, made for the ride.”

BMW R nineT customized by Smokin' Motorcycles.
The most obvious addition is the hand-made aluminum tank—but the bike also features a number of CNC milled parts. For the subframe, Smokin’ 3D scanned the stock unit and designed their own using CAD software. They also created some carbon fiber bits: like the right hand side air duct cover, terminating in a K&N filter.

The new exhaust system is also custom-built, and flows up into twin copper-tipped mufflers. A sprinkling of Rizoma parts was selected to finish off the build, and the seat and grips were upholstered in African Antelope leather by Fred de la Bretoniere.

Smokin’ Motorcycles website

BMW R nineT customized by Rizoma.
Rizoma The Italian brand makes some of the most desirable parts on the market. And now they’ve turned their attention to the R nineT, releasing a full line of bolt-on bits.

The range includes everything from fenders to engine covers, rear-sets, handlebars, bar-end weights and levers. You can even buy plates to cover up the stock handlebar clamp holes, should you go the clip-on route. The small fly screen pictured is also on offer, along with various license plate mounting options and turn signals that can double up as a tail light. The full catalogue can be ogled on their site or downloaded as a PDF.

It’s the perfect option for the garage customizer that doesn’t necessarily want to “build” anything. So, if you have a R nineT in your garage (and a healthy bank balance), the result you see here is completely attainable.

BMW Motorrad USA R nineT product page | Wesley’s review of the R nineT | Top 5 BMW R Series: Part I, Part II

BMW R nineT customized by Rizoma.

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In Rust We Trust: CRD’s corrosive BMW R 100

A rusty old BMW R 100? This custom from Cafe Racer Dreams is not quite what it seems.
Custom motorcycles often get accused of looking good, but not riding worth a damn. So it’s great when a builder devotes as much attention to a bike’s performance as its looks.

Take this BMW R 100 from Madrid-based Café Racer Dreams. It has the subtlety and elegance we’ve come to expect from Pedro García and Efraon Triana—plus a big dose of upgrades.

A rusty old BMW R 100? This custom from Cafe Racer Dreams is not quite what it seems.
It’s easy to get caught up in details like the deliberately rusty fuel tank—and miss the BMW’s significantly improved suspension. Up front, CRD’s grafted on the forks and brakes from a Yamaha R1. And the rear’s equally well sprung, thanks to a new set of Öhlins shocks.

The engine’s been rebuilt, and now breathes through a pair of Italian-made Dell’Orto carbs. A further boost in performance (and sound) is provided by dual SuperTrapp silencers.

A rusty old BMW R 100? This custom from Cafe Racer Dreams is not quite what it seems.
Anyone who’s ever owned (or worked on) an old Airhead knows that the stock electrical system is a mess. So CRD have ripped everything out and rewired it around a Motogadget m-Unit.

The speedo and handlebar controls are Motogadget parts too, and there’s a Harley-Davidson Sportster battery hiding under the swingarm.

A rusty old BMW R 100? This custom from Cafe Racer Dreams is not quite what it seems.
The R 100 should also weigh a little less now. While CRD retained the BMW’s bulky fuel tank, they binned the subframe and welded on a smaller, custom-designed one. Sitting on top of it is a svelte new two-up seat.

All the lighting’s been replaced with items from CRD’s own online store, along with a new set of grips and Renthal handlebars. Check out the grill installed over the headlight, and the small auxiliary light mounted on the right crash-bar.

A rusty old BMW R 100? This custom from Cafe Racer Dreams is not quite what it seems.
Some might question the use of Firestone Deluxe Champion rubber on a build with so many performance upgrades. But they should provide ample grip for the bike’s intended use. (And at least they’ll be slinging road muck into a set of custom-made fenders.)

A rusty old BMW R 100? This custom from Cafe Racer Dreams is not quite what it seems.
As finishes go, the R 100 is delightfully industrial. Using “water and the Madrid sun,” CRD rusted the fuel tank and then applied an anti-rust coating inside—and a clear lacquer outside. The engine’s been blasted clean, the frame powder-coated grey and the wheels finished in black.

It’s a satisfying fusion of good design and technical expertise, as you’d expect from a workshop on its 54th build.

Aspiring bike builders: take note.

Photos by Enrique PachecoCafe Racer Dreams website | Facebook | Instagram

A rusty old BMW R 100? This custom from Cafe Racer Dreams is not quite what it seems.

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The Bison: Revival’s custom BMW R nineT

The Bison: Revival Cycles' remarkable custom BMW R nineT.
Right now, I’m betting there’s an air of quiet satisfaction in the design department of BMW Motorrad. The R nineT, a long shot on the part of Ola Stenegard and Edgar Heinrich, has been an extraordinary success.

Thirteen months ago, the first R nineT rolled off BMW’s Berlin production line. Since then, we’ve lusted after ‘official’ custom projects from leading workshops in Europe and Japan.

The Bison: Revival Cycles' remarkable custom BMW R nineT.
Now we’re seeing everyday R nineT riders taking their bikes to the next level. And that’s exactly the result Stenegard and co. wanted.

This machine, from Texas-based Revival Cycles and nicknamed The Bison, is one of the best yet. “The bike came to us with just over 800 miles on the clock,” says Revival’s Alan Stulberg.

The Bison: Revival Cycles' remarkable custom BMW R nineT.
“The owner wanted to remove a bit of the factory clutter, and add some features that suited his lifestyle. He’s a computer programmer and often works remotely, so the ability to carry his laptop (and a book or two) was at the top of his priority list.”

It’s the custom-made pannier bag draws the eye first. Made from bison leather, it hides an internal stainless frame—but it’s light and simple to remove. The grips and seat are covered in the same bison hide for consistency.

The Bison: Revival Cycles' remarkable custom BMW R nineT.
The other changes are less visible, but far more radical. “The idea was to make subtle changes, while respecting the beautiful factory bike,” says Stulberg.

So: just check that new exhaust system. BMW gives you different options when you configure your R nineT from the factory, but this custom-built system is something else.

The Bison: Revival Cycles' remarkable custom BMW R nineT.
The pipework snakes up and over the engine, exposing the beautiful finned oil pan on the bottom of the cases.

“I can see why nobody else has attempted this,” says Stulberg, “because running that hot exhaust under the tank and through the center of the bike required a LOT of planning.”

The Bison: Revival Cycles' remarkable custom BMW R nineT.
Revival had to relocate a lot of the electrics and electronics, and have used shrouding to prevent problems with heat. They’ve also ditched the front plastic engine cover, beating a new one out of aluminum.

The exhaust pipes are equal-length stainless steel, and under the tank they’ve been wrapped with five different metal and fiberglass panels. Since the pannier is on the right, the exhaust crosses over to the left, and it’s terminated with a custom silencer that can be tuned for backpressure and noise with baffled discs—Supertrapp-style.

The Bison: Revival Cycles' remarkable custom BMW R nineT.
Revival have also created a new stainless steel intake system, which holds a cotton performance air filter. It’s shared between both cylinders to aid balance and tuning, and is solidly mounted to the top of the gearbox.

“The damn thing sounds much more aggressive,” Stulberg reports. “It’s had an impact on throttle response and the seat-of-the-pants dyno.”

The Bison: Revival Cycles' remarkable custom BMW R nineT.
‘The Bison’ now rides on Kineo wheels—custom-made for this machine in Italy—and the factory sport tires have been swapped out for more aggressive-looking Pirelli MT60RS rubber.

To add a hint of classic BMW R90 S style, Revival have pinstriped the fuel tank—and added a Daytona half-fairing and aftermarket fenders from Wunderlich.

The Bison: Revival Cycles' remarkable custom BMW R nineT.
The factory plastic undertail is gone, replaced by a custom alloy unit that holds a new LED taillight and signals, cleanly tucked under the stock alloy rear seat cowl. There’s a new license plate mount that bolts to the back of the swingarm and has its own built-in LED lighting.

It’s easy to list the mods, but not so easy to categorize the style. With the high exhaust and aggressive new rubber, one might say it’s a scrambler. But the fairing and alloy seat cowl seem to scream café racer.

The Bison: Revival Cycles' remarkable custom BMW R nineT.
So what is it, Alan?

“We don’t think it’s necessary to label it. We’re not purists and never will be. Like all other Revival bikes, it’s a machine we’d personally own and ride.”

Revival Cycles website | Facebook | Instagram | Ola Stenegard interview | Edgar Heinrich interview

The Bison: Revival Cycles' remarkable custom BMW R nineT.