A Spanish industrial designer builds an incredibly sleek airhead…
The BMW R100 was the largest, most powerful incarnation of the legendary airhead series, featuring a 980cc flat-twin boxer engine that produced 60-70 horsepower. Not only was it known as an especially well-engineered machine, it was also highly versatile, available in roadster, sport, touring, and enduro versions. In the first two decades of the 21st century, a new variant has been added to that list: custom. Few other motorcycles have become such a darling of the “new wave” custom scene.
Enter Iñaki Bellver, a Ford product engineer and also the founder of his own custom workshop, ØNIX Design, out of which he builds two bikes each year. Earlier in 2020, we featured his BMW R100 “ØD1” custom, built for his uncle who bought the bike brand new from the showroom in 1978 and rode it for 40 years before enlisting his nephew to customize it!
Now Iñaki is back with “ØD2,” a 1977 R100S designed and built for a doctor from Valencia. While this bike isn’t as flamboyant or radical as some of the BMW customs out there, it’s one of the sleekest, most elegant airheads we’ve seen. Low, sleek, minimal, and exceptionally clean, this R100 simply grabs the eye and holds it.
Below, we get more details on the build straight from Iñaki himself, as well as more shots from his friend and photographer Juan Llobell (@juanllbbt).
BMW R100 Custom: In the Builder’s Words
The bike: It was a fully original BMW R100s from 1977. Working properly but not in the best condition.
In this case, the client, a doctor from Valencia, was not fully sure about the style he wanted. So the bike evolved through the modification process. From the original headlight with a big speedo, to a tiny headlight and Motoscope, and from stock exhaust to a fully stainless steel 2-1 legal system.
We are very pleased with the results: a very styled BMW with personal details and proper performance, handling and noise.
Modifications:
Laser cut upper clamp to match the speedo (Motogadget Motoscope Tiny). Front suspension lowered 5cm (almost 2 inches). Custom Stainless steel brake lines. Renthal ultra low with all new controls. Electric wireless simplified and relocated under the tank.
Shinko e270 tyres. Highsider mirrors. Custom laser cut footrest. Custom 2-1 Stainless steel exhaust with Ixil silencer. Custom subframe and double seat from Llops upholstery. Original gas tank lifted from the back. Spoke wheels rebuilt with stainless steel spokes and rims powder coated. YSS Ecoline Shocks.
Lithium battery with custom laser cut box under the engine. Custom swingarm number plate bracket. Custom small front mudguard. Lights: small round headlight with custom bracket, Gazzini LED Bar-end at the front, tiny Led Shin-yo blinkers at the back and Shin-yo pin tail light with custom bracket. Engine: New gaskets, new carburetors set-up, filters and oils. Full street legal (needed in Spain).
Paint:
- Full matte black powder coating (frame, subframe, rims, swingarm, battery box, upper and handler clamps, headlight bracket, handlebar controls, center stand, etc.)
- Tank and mudguard painted original metallic gray from BMW
- Engine cleaned and brushed, covers sanded and powder-coated matte
- Aluminum parts sanded by hand and powder-coated matte
Photoshoot: Done by one of my best friends, Juan Llobell, who is a professional photographer. The location is an old parking lot in our city (Valencia, Spain)
How much is the R100s?
what a terrible way to destroy a beautiful motorcycle, I guess this designer is not a biker