The BMW R NineT has been called a “blank canvas” for customization — a modern machine designed for ease of modification, with separate chassis/engine wiring harnesses, removable subframe, and accessories that can be replaced with minimal chopping or cutting. Meanwhile, the air-cooled “oilhead” engine, round headlight, and telescopic forks give the bike a retro vibe. Says Motor Cycle News:
“It goes, stops and handles as well as the best roadsters out there, thanks to its modern chassis, suspension and braking components. But there’s a lovely twist with the old-school air-cooled Boxer engine.”
Enter the team of Buenos Aires-based Herencia Custom Motors, headed up by our friends Federico Lozada and German Karp. Together, the Argentine duo has turned out nearly 50 custom bikes, including some of the most popular builds we’ve ever featured. This 2017 BMW R NineT “street scrambler” is their 47th project — built for a client who loved their work from afar, while living in the USA, then brought them his donor bike after moving back to Argentina. We especially love the front-routed exhaust, the tank — a mix between a vintage toaster tank and the factory unit — and the mini LED lighting.
Below, we get the full story from Fede on the build!
BMW Street Scrambler: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?
It’s a BMW R NineT scrambler, 2017.
• Why was this bike built?
This is a custom project for a customer. He used to live in the USA and loved our work — once he moved back to Argentina and brought the bike with him, he contacted us to build his bike.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
We wanted to put a more vintage and pure style to the bike.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
We added full front and rear Ohlins suspension, and we had to build a new upper tree to adapt a Pro Taper handlebar.
The gas tank is a mix between a vintage “toaster” tank and the NineT stock tank.
The space that was used for the battery now is used by the much bigger new gas tank.
The hardest part was to hand-build all the subframe. We made it removable to be able to remove the rear shock. It was also hard to relocate the BMW battery where the air cleaner used to be — we had to redo all the electric wiring.
As part of the details we added some cool turn signals. We found something really new: super mini LEDs, these are really really small and give a strong light. They work as turn signals, brake lights, and position lights. We made the support for these lights with a chain part we found in the garage that belonged to an old motorcycle.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
Nope, it just our project #47.
• How would you classify this bike?
It’s a kind of street-scrambler, can we say??
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I am proud of the work as a whole. I love how it looks all together. It gives me that happy feeling when you see a bike that looks good, even if it’s not yours.
Follow the Builders
@herenciacustommotors | @lozada_fede / @karp_hcg / @cubikgraphicstudio / Photos: @vickphelan
Special thanks to @cordasco_motohaus_bmw_motorrad for remapping the beast!
Bravo!