5 Bmws From The Builder S Best Custom Motorcycle Show

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Every summer, devout BMW enthusiasts from across the United States and Canada gather at the BMW Motorcycle Owners Association’s annual rally. This group of passionate riders gathers to camp, break bread and celebrate all things BMW. This year’s event, held in Lebanon, Tennessee, included camping, concerts, riding seminars and demos, the Wall of Death and countless other attractions.
New this year was The Builder’s Best Custom Motorcycle Show. The show attracted builders from across North America to compete for $1,000 for the best BMW and another $1,000 for the best non-BMW motorcycle. We were given early access to scope out the field while the builders arrived with their customs. The final results were voted on by the attendees, but these are five of our favorites.

BMW R100 by Parker Zamarelli Parker Zamarelli’s custom BMW R100 bobber is a stunning blend of refined craftsmanship and rugged edge, turning heads with its understated elegance and undeniable attitude. The bike’s beautiful black-to-blue fade paint job, accented by subtle pinstriping, captures the eye without shouting for attention—a true reflection of Zamarelli’s precision and restraint.

Every detail on this R100 is thoughtfully executed to balance form and function. Slim LED strips discreetly mounted on the fork tubes act as turn signals, keeping the build road legal while preserving its clean lines. Out back, custom fender struts evoke a classic bobber silhouette, cleverly shaped to accommodate burly Heidenau K60 knobby tires. At the heart of the build is a Dutch-made stainless steel MAD exhaust system, delivering a distinctive tone that adds personality without overwhelming the senses.
The result is a bike that not only looks ready to cruise the boulevard but also hints at a willingness to escape down dusty country roads—an elegant brute, built to ride.

1984 BMW R100 by Jay Beier Jay Beier’s custom 1984 BMW R100 is a bold interpretation of a classic, merging vintage charm with aggressive modern performance. At the front end, a GSXR suspension conversion using Cognito Moto trees and hardware gives the bike razor-sharp handling and an unmistakably sporty stance. A deep growl from the Cone Engineering exhaust adds attitude to every twist of the throttle, while pod filters on the carburetors free up performance by letting the engine aspirate more easily.

Technology and clean design come together seamlessly through a full suite of motogadget components—from discreet bar-end mirrors and push-button controls to the sleek mo.unit and minimalist speedometer. Kuryakyn LED turn signals are cleverly hidden, maintaining the stripped-down aesthetic without sacrificing safety.
With YSS rear shocks rounding out the suspension upgrades, Beier’s R100 is a refined brute—equal parts analog soul and modern engineering, ready to carve corners or cruise with authority.

1987 BMW K100RS by Jared White Jared White’s 1987 BMW K100RS, aptly named ‘The Journey,’ is a futuristic vision wrapped in classic German engineering. Built with precision and creativity, the bike features a full suite of motogadget electronics—including a mo.unit controller, sleek bar-end mirrors, minimalist buttons and a compact speedometer—giving the cockpit a refined, high-tech feel. One of the most charming details is the repurposed Aviation Gin bottle, cleverly converted into a coolant overflow reservoir.

Visually, The Journey is a striking interplay of color and form. The frame, finished in a mesmerizing purple/blue flake powder coat, catches the light in ways that photos simply can’t capture. The vibrant frame contrasts boldly with the clean white fuel tank and stealthy black powder-coated wheels.
The 7075 CNC-machined Sidewinder Meccanica kit not only gives the K100 a dramatic, angular stance but also modernizes its performance, complemented by a YSS rear shock. With its balance of function, flair, and forward-thinking design, The Journey lives up to its name—a ride through past, present and future.

1966 R50 RS Rennsport Replica by Jeff Bronsdon Jeff Bronsdon’s custom 1966 R50 RS Rennsport Replica is a meticulous homage to vintage racing, brought to life through dedication, precision and a touch of trial and error. The frame has been fully detabbed to achieve a stripped-down, race-ready profile, though in the process, the center stand tabs were inadvertently removed. A small sacrifice in the pursuit of aesthetic purity. Up front, an R27 fork assembly sourced from Germany anchors the bike, adding heritage to the build.

Bronsdon’s custom-designed one-piece handlebar and top tree setup defines the cockpit with a clean, race-inspired silhouette. The rear end features a uniquely modified carbon fiber seat cowl, carefully shortened to fit the frame and evoke the iconic cafe racer stance. Complementing the minimalist look, custom fender struts support small, precisely contoured fenders that hug the 19-inch Metzeler tires, front and rear.
This R50 isn’t just a replica—it’s a personal interpretation of speed, stripped down to its essentials and built with reverence for the classic Rennsport spirit.

1989 BMW R100 GS by Chuck Pryor Chuck Pryor’s custom 1989 BMW R100 GS is a striking reinterpretation of the classic ‘Bumble Bee’ model, reimagined as a sleek Urban GS. Starting with a complete teardown to the frame, Pryor rebuilt the motor from the crank up, integrating dual-plug heads to handle a bumped-up 10.5:1 compression ratio. The transformation retains the rugged DNA of the original GS while introducing refined touches, including subtle bronze Cerakote accents on the fork lowers, hubs and YSS shock spring.

A stainless steel Arrow exhaust hugs the frame’s contours, enhancing both visual flow and performance. The rear fender has been trimmed to sharpen the bike’s silhouette, complementing its aggressive new stance. Riding on black powder-coated Excel rims wrapped in Michelin Anakee Adventure tires, the bike maintains an off-road-ready look that aligns perfectly with its deep black paint scheme.
This meticulously crafted machine will soon be raffled off as part of the BMW MOA Foundation’s fundraising efforts, offering one lucky winner a custom icon with both soul and style.

Looking ahead, the momentum isn’t slowing down. The Builders Best Custom Motorcycle Show will return next year at the BMW MOA Rally in Essex Junction, Vermont—bringing with it another round of fresh builds, bold ideas, and boundary-pushing craftsmanship. Whether you’re a builder, a rider or simply a fan of custom culture, it’s an event you won’t want to miss.


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