Unique, Yet Unmistakable: BMW R100GS “Icon”

BMW R100GS

The BMW R80GS was the world’s first  “Adventure Bike,” a large displacement travel-oriented enduro whose G/S abbreviation stood for Gelände/Straße (German: off-road/road).  If the R80GS was the first, its successor, the R100GS set the standard for all adventure bikes to follow. Introduced in 1987, the R100GS has become one of history’s most definitive adventure motorcycles and an iconic model for BMW, intrinsic to brand lore. Says Munich-based Diamond Atelier:

“Rolex Submariner, Porsche 911, Sony PlayStation. Every brand has one model it is best known for. One that made the brand what it is today. One that stands out from all the others. One that became an icon. The R100GS is this exact model for BMW.”

BMW R100GS

Several months ago, Diamond Atelier — one of the world’s foremost custom motorcycles brands — went silent on the web. Some thought they had disappeared altogether; instead, it seems they were taking some time off, preparing to unveil their fresh new projects to the world.

BMW R100GS

The first is this 1990 BMW R100GS, a one-owner bike with 37,000 km on the clock. As you can see, Diamond Atelier was sure not to maintain the iconic look of the original, while improving aesthetics and performance in critical, deliberate ways:

“When building this original-owner 90’s Airhead, it was never our intention to change it to the point where it’d gone too far from its distinctive appearance. Rather, we used the best performance parts with hand-fabricated components to create the perfect GS.”

Below, we look at the build sheet for this “unique, yet unmistakable” GS.

BMW R100GS “Icon”: Build Sheet

BASE BIKE

– Make / Model: BMW R100GS – Year of production: 1990
– Original owners: 1
– Original kilometers: 37.000
– Year of customization: 2019
– Kilometers since customization: 50

BMW R100GS

ENGINE & CARBURETORS

– Type: 2 cylinder boxer
– Capacity: 1000cc
– Completely overhauled and built from ground up, new bearings, new pistons, everything newly sealed only with original BMW parts
– Custom BMW R90S starter cover / medium-blasted
– BMW R90S round air filter cover with K&N performance air filter / medium-blasted
– Original round valve covers / medium-blasted
– NGK spark plugs
– Completely overhauled carburetors, all internals brand new only with original BMW parts, carburetor bodies are medium-blasted
– Carburetors are re-jetted with 150 jets to work with new air filter resulting in a power increase of roughly 4-5 HP
– K&N oil filter
– Original headers connected to custom build 2-in-1 free flow piece from BMW Zach

BMW R100GS

CHASSIS – FRONT

– Completely overhauled front fork with Wilbers progressive springs
– Wunderlich 4mm CNC-machined stainless steel fork brace
– Double brake disc conversion with CNC-milled original BMW lower fork leg
– Double brake discs with 320mm diameter / jagged and slotted with CNC-milled aluminum adapters
– New double Brembo P4 GOLD brake calipers with Sinter brake pads
– Double CNC-milled aluminum HE brake caliper adapters
– Custom brake pump conversion into original BMW right handlebar grip
– Fully custom ABM stainless steel braided brake hoses
– Castrol DOT4 brake fluid
– Anodized aluminum brake line bolts
– New original BMW fork guards
– Fully custom front wheel: refurbished R100GS original hub (powder coated black) with 2.50×19 cross-spoked BMW rim (powder coated black) laced with 4mm stainless steel spokes and nipples
– Metzeler RoadTec 01 tire in 120/70-19

BMW R100GS

CHASSIS – BACK

– Completely refurbished shaft drive and cardan tunnel
– Wilbers fully adjustable NIGHTLINE shock
– Original BMW Sinter brake pads
– Fully custom rear wheel: refurbished R100GS original hub (powder coated black) with 4.00×17 cross-spoked BMW rim (powder coated black) laced with 4mm stainless steel spokes and
nipples
– Metzeler RoadTec 01 tire in 160/60-17

BMW R100GS

BODY

– BMW Monolever gas tank with custom tunnel and custom front & rear mounts
– CNC-machined custom pop-up gas cap
– Custom rear frame
– Original BMW GS high front mudguard
– Stock BMW R100GS rear mud guard, raised and reshaped to be centered over new rear wheel
– Custom seat with genuine black cowhide leather, waterproof stitching and 3 foam layers –
eligible for passenger riding
– Base color: 50% BMW “Alpina white” & 50% BMW “Cream white”
– Secondary color: BMW “Old blue” stripes, hand painted

BMW R100GS

CONTROLS / COCKPIT

– Magura TX 28,6mm aluminum handlebar conversion
– BMW RnineT handlebar mounts
– Custom CNC-milled upper triple clamp
– Motogadget rear view mirror from billet aluminum anodized black – Refurbished original BMW throttle grip

BMW R100GS

ELECTRONICS

– Refurbished original BMW front and rear lights, new illuminants
– Additional fog light mounted on left crash bar
– Lithium Ion battery pack under gas tank with easy access quick connect for charging – NGK spark plug cables
– New electrical harness
– Hidden wiring within the frame
– Front and rear Motogadget Pin indicators from billet aluminum anodized black

BMW R100GS

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One Comment

  1. Ha any Custom Mechanic Shop done any work on the BMW R nine T Pure , with a way to make it lighter and more Roadster like. More Naked looking.
    I would appreciate to know or to see such
    preparation
    I have notice that non of the custom shops have applied ABS brakes to the bikes. So Regards. Claudio Meda

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