Roundel Roundup 7 Custom Bmw Motorcycles To Inspire Your Project

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What is it that makes BMW motorcycles the perfect canvas for customization? Is it the visual distinctiveness of powerplants like the no-nonsense airheads or the outlandishly equipped K-series? Or possibly the rigorous engineering that makes these platforms stand the test of time. Whatever the cause, BMWs are a staple of the custom scene, and the factory has embraced our will to make these bikes our own by building-in modularity and offering a robust line of customizable parts.

Support for customizers extends beyond the corporate level, and the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America group wants to see what you’re working on. BMW MOA is hosting the 2025 Builders Best Custom Motorcycle Show in Lebanon, Tennessee, June 19-21. MOA is looking for custom bikes of all brands to participate in the event, with cash prizes ($1,000 per class) awarded for the best BMW and Open Class bikes. It’s worth noting that accepted builders also get free passes to the MOA National Rally, which includes the Wall of Death, camping and live music.
We’re always down for the cause, and to help spread the word, we compiled a few of our favorite custom BMW builds as inspiration for our weekend warriors out there. So when you’re at the Wilson County Fairgrounds accepting your prize in June, tell ’em who sent you.

BMW R nineT Café Racer by Smoked Garage ​We’d be remiss not to include one of your favorite custom motorcycles from 2024, a bike that dominated our analytics for months. Tasked with creating a motorcycle reminiscent of Batman’s sleek rides, Smoked Garage in Jakarta, Indonesia, meticulously crafted a design that balances dark aesthetics with everyday functionality.​

The customization focused on the bodywork, leaving the R nineT‘s capable mechanics largely intact. A hand-shaped carbon fiber fuel tank, inspired by vintage BMW boxers, sets a muscular tone. This leads seamlessly into a carbon fiber tail unit perched on a shortened subframe, achieving a classic café racer silhouette.
Aluminum fairings envelop the lower half, featuring a belly pan, a scoop behind the front wheel and louvered side panels, enhancing both form and aerodynamic function.​

At the front, a bespoke windscreen houses a utilitarian LED headlight, contributing to the bike’s brooding demeanor. The cockpit is equipped with clip-on handlebars, Brembo levers and motogadget components, including a chronoclassic 2 speedometer, grips, bar-end mirrors and turn signals. The entire assembly is finished in contrasting matte and gloss black, with exposed carbon fiber elements, echoing the modern Batman aesthetic.​
Subtle yet effective details complete the transformation. A discreet side-stand extender, a minimalist license plate mount and diminutive LED taillights flanking the tailpiece showcase Smoked Garage’s attention to detail. Virtually every component, from the Brembo calipers to the boxer engine’s valve covers, is cloaked in black to reinforce the bike’s dark persona.

BMW R80R Enduro by 10 ’til 12 Ben Norton, a seasoned Formula One chief engineer, brings a nuts-and-bolts mentality to reimagining classic motorcycles. Operating in his after-hours workshop, aptly named 10 ’til 12, Norton transformed a 1995 BMW R80R into the formidable ‘BMW R100X,‘ a machine that blends modern off-road performance and his African hooning heritage.

Retaining only the engine block, transmission casing and portions of the frame from the donor bike, Norton had a clean slate to make his vision come to life. The engine received a Siebenrock 1,000 cc kit with a 9.5:1 compression ratio, complemented by a Silent Hektik ignition system and a one-off oil sump and bash plate. The boxer was also pitched up in the front and fit with bespoke billet aluminum timing and front covers to increase front wheel clearance. ​
Chassis modifications were equally extensive. A new subframe was fabricated with laser-cut braces to enhance rigidity and reduce weight. The rear features a single-sided swingarm from a BMW R100RT, extended by 100 mm and paired with a custom Penske shock, delivering 225 mm of wheel travel. Up front, WP Suspension forks from a KTM 690 Enduro R provide 250 mm of travel, ensuring the R100X is well-equipped for the rigors of hardcore off-roading. ​

While admittedly reserved compared to the rest of the build, the bodywork of the R100X perfectly suits its intended purpose. Full Acerbis plastic fenders tame flying debris, and a pair of Baja Designs headlights light the way. The fuel tank was sourced from a BMW R65, chosen for its compact capacity and sharp lines, and Norton designed the saddle on CAD before handing it off to Tom Hurley Custom Seats.
Weighing in at 160 kilos [353 lbs], Norton managed to shave 40 g [88 lbs] from the stock R80R, and its performance is almost certainly on a whole new level.

BMW K100 Café Racer by Motocrew We’re thrilled to be seeing the BMW K-series more and more, but the fact remains that it’s a difficult bike to get right. Chris Scholtka of Germany’s Motocrew is one of the guys who’s cracked the code, and we’ve featured a few of his K builds on Bike EXIF.
But this 1984 BMW K100 is a build that almost didn’t happen, as Scholtka was ready for new challenges. His customer (and friend) persisted, though, and Scholtka agreed on the condition that it had to be loud and low.

With the first order of business being a significant shift in altitude, Scholtka sourced a rear wheel from a BMW K1200S, paired with the swingarm and final drive of a K1100. To keep things balanced, the front end is sourced from a 2019 Ducati Panigale, featuring adjustable Showa forks, a forged aluminum wheel and twin Brembo calipers—a serious upgrade that wasn’t easy (or cheap) to acquire. A fully adjustable Black-T shock from Touratech supports the rear, giving the K100 a more planted and responsive ride.

The K100’s factory bodywork was too clunky for Scholtka’s vision, so he fabricated custom PVC ‘wings’ to smooth out the tank’s fairing indentations, secured with a handmade steel frame. The signature Motocrew subframe, designed to complement the trimmed chassis, supports a custom seat and a sculpted tail section that aligns perfectly with the rest of the bike’s lines. A hand-formed plexiglass taillight lens that wraps seamlessly over and under the tail bump, housing a custom LED setup that gives the bike a distinctive, futuristic glow.
After treating the K100’s four-cylinder to a full suite of upgrades, Scholtka was ready for the finishing touch—a paint scheme bolt and timeless. A simple black and gold motif was just the ticket, reminiscent of the old John Player Special livery from the golden days of Formula One.

BMW R100 Street Tracker by Heiwa MC Minimalistic lines and design harmony are two major hallmarks of Kengo Kimura’s Hiroshima-based workshop, Heiwa MC. With mindful proportions and reserved styling, Kimura’s 1981 BMW R100RS exemplifies the work that’s made him a cornerstone of Japan’s custom scene.
Dubbed ‘Salty Green,’ Kimura’s minimalist street tracker features a slim, handcrafted fuel tank reminiscent of vintage Japanese scramblers. His handiwork extends to the bold custom tail section, featuring an integrated electronics tray and LED taillight. The lush candy green paint, accented with silver leaf pin-striping by Hirokazu Kuboi, contributes to the BMW’s refined finish. ​

A closer look at the BMW’s underpinnings reveals that Kimura went to great lengths to iron out the bike’s side profile. He reengineered the rear frame section, eliminating the original rear down-tubes to create a more open space beneath the seat.
New shock mounts connect the frame to the swingarm via KYB shocks with Progressive springs, while the front suspension has been lowered slightly. The engine remains largely untouched, with cleaned-up casings and classic peanut-style valve covers, maintaining the bike’s mechanical integrity.

The exhaust system features chromed pipes terminating in elongated conical mufflers, adding a subtle shine. Custom narrow handlebars, chopper-style grips and a discreet 4.5-inch Bates headlight mounted on a custom bracket contribute to the bike’s clean and uncluttered cockpit.
To add contrast to the vibrant green livery, Kimura employed bronze finishes on the rear shock springs and snowflake wheels. If you ask us, BMW alloys have never looked better.

BMW R nineT Street Tracker by M-Racing Performance BMW’s design team went to great lengths to make the R nineT as customizable as possible, and if you’ve spent any amount of time on this website, you’ll know their hard work paid off. It’s regarded as a blank canvas by builders, and the aftermarket has embraced the model with every bolt-on component you can imagine.
A long list of receipts doesn’t always coincide with taste, but this BMW built by Vietnam’s M-Racing Performance hit the mark for us as the ultimate parts-built R nineT.

The muscular street tracker comes to life with an elegant machined aluminum tail section sourced from Le Motographe in France. M-Racing then fabricated a boxy number plate-like nacelle, equipping it with LED headlights from Diode Dynamics and motogadget LED turn signals. The unique Jonich spoked wheels are probably the most eye-catching modification, and M-Racing believes they were likely the only set in Vietnam when the bike was completed.
The cockpit has been reworked with Domino handlebars mounted on custom risers, bringing the controls closer for a more assertive riding position. Brembo clutch and brake systems, along with an Accossato throttle and CNC Racing fluid reservoirs, ensure precision and smooth operation.

Beneath the sculpted bodywork, the airbox has been replaced with a high-performance DNA Filters kit, allowing the beefy boxer engine to breathe more freely. The CNC-machined valve covers add a touch of refinement, while a black ceramic-coated Zard exhaust system provides both an aggressive tone and improved performance.
Brembo calipers and upgraded brake lines ensure precise stopping power, while the overall fit and finish reinforce M-Racing’s meticulous attention to detail. More than just a cosmetic rework, this custom R nineT is an exercise in refinement and performance, proving that less can be more—if done right.

BMW R18 Roadster by Fuller Moto Bryan Fuller of Fuller Moto obsessed over the idea of a big cc boxer engine when he first heard about the upcoming R18, and the release of the R5-inspired concept bike strengthened his fascination. Of course, the R18 packed on considerable bulk in production, and when he finally got his hands on one, Fuller vowed to restore its vintage R5 charm.

The transformation began with a significant weight reduction. By removing the stock airbox, wiring and ABS traction control system, Fuller shed approximately 250 pounds from the R18. To restore life to the big boxer, a custom airbox was fabricated, feeding a pair of 40 mm SC2 SmartCarbs. Other retro mechanical bits include a custom Morris Magneto setup atop the engine and reverse-cone mufflers with waterjet stainless fins.

Incorporating 23-inch custom steel rims laced to the original BMW hubs, Fuller extended the swingarm to accommodate the larger wheels. A Fox rear shock was installed to enhance suspension performance and the braking system was upgraded with Beringer components.​
The bodywork reflects a deep respect for BMW’s design legacy. Utilizing recycled fender blanks and an original R5 fuel tank—modified to fit the R18’s frame—Fuller achieved a harmonious blend of old and new. A custom solo saddle, reminiscent of vintage Denfeld seats, and subtle modifications like a simplified headlight with a vintage-style lens, complete the transformation, resulting in a motorcycle that embraces the R18’s epic cruising potential with BMW’s storied heritage.

BMW K1100RS Café Racer by Powerbrick ​The BMW K1100RS was a ’90s sport-tourer of epic proportions, but who’d have guessed the bones of a futuristic café racer were hiding beneath the three-spoke wheels and triangular bodywork? It takes a keen eye to see what the BMW K-series can be, and the talented team of Powerbrick has proven they have the chops to make it happen.
A standout feature of this Powerbrick K-Series build is the custom subframe, meticulously machined from a solid 220-pound aluminum billet. This component seamlessly supports the seat, tail cowl and upper shock mount, aligning perfectly with the K1100RS’s original fuel tank contours.

The subframe is affixed to the chassis via welded mounting brackets and an integrated LED taillight with turn signals enhances the bike’s streamlined profile. The saddle was constructed with surgical precision and upholstered by Jeroen Bouwmeester of Silver Machine.
At the front, a multifaceted fairing redefines the bike’s silhouette. Combining elements of traditional café racer headlight nacelles with sportier lines, the fairing integrates seamlessly into the fuel tank’s flanks. It houses a Koso LED headlight and embedded LED turn signals within its flared sides.

Constructed using advanced 3D printing techniques with a carbon compound material, the fairing is supported by a CNC-machined bracket that also accommodates the motogadget Motoscope Pro speedometer. ​
Performance upgrades are equally impressive. The front end features BMW S1000RR forks fitted with Öhlins NIX30 cartridges, anodized in red, and secured by black-anodized aluminum Powerbrick yokes. A custom-built, fully adjustable TFX Suspension shock with a red spring manages the rear.

The bike rolls on striking forged carbon wheels from Rotobox, emphasizing the single-sided swingarm’s visual impact. Brembo components handle braking duties, connected through Venhill hoses, ensuring that this K1100RS not only captivates the eye but also delivers contemporary performance on the road.
Inspired Yet? Hopefully, this lineup of stellar BMW custom motorcycles has your head spinning with ideas for that languishing project in your garage, and the 2025 Builders Best show could be your excuse to get it across the finish line. We’ll be there scouting bikes for future content opportunities (if you needed another reason to enter), so jump over to the Builders Best Registration page to make it happen. We’ll see ya there!


from Bike EXIF https://ift.tt/YkptK0e

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