Burly Brick: BMW K100 by Moto Rebuild

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

Moto Rebuild transforms a Flying Brick… 

Affectionately known as the “Flying Brick,” the four-cylinder BMW K100 was an evolutionary leap forward for BMW Motorrad, who’d been focused on their flat-twin boxer machines since the post-WWII era. The company decided that it needed a more modern machine to compete with the Japanese and European marques.

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

The result was the K100, a 987cc sports tourer that took a good deal of technological inspiration from the automotive side of the company. The longitudinal four-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine was laid on its side in the chassis, and fueling came via a Bosch LE Jetronic system similar to what was being used on the BMW cars of the time.

“There were benefits in the new design; the engine and transmission were kept accessible and serviceable, the engine was made durable and indeed would ensure these bikes developed a reputation for being able to achieve high mileages…. Add to the mix BMW’s legendary quality control and attention to detail, and their experience in working with liquid cooled and fuel injected engines, and you have a formula for a very special bike.” —Silodrome

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

Today, more and more custom builders have been turning their attention to these once-forgotten “Flying Bricks.” They are powerful (90 bhp), reliable (100,000+ miles isn’t uncommon), built like tanks, and quite beautiful when stripped of their large touring fairings — many of which have been torn up over the years anyway.

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

This build is from our friend Maarten Bressers of Moto Rebuild, who’s been building custom bikes with this father since 2016. Based out of Eindhoven, the fifth-largest city in the Netherlands, they build bikes as a hobby, just for themselves. Their previous build — the BMW R80 “Woodmachine” — displayed a high level of fabrication and detail.

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

Nicknamed “Marija,” this K100 is a sportier, burlier build, outfitted with custom fairings like we haven’t seen before on a K bike, as well as an array of one-off and aftermarket parts and a beautiful matte paint scheme.

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

Maarten is particularly happy with the custom bodywork and the rear mono-shock conversion.

K100 cafe racer

Below, we talk to Maarten for the full details on the build, and he took the photographs as well. You can follow his photography account at @maabre.

BMW K100 Custom: Builder Interview

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?

BMW K100 Tour, 1987.

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

• Why was this bike built?

I’ve never built a bike for someone else — I always build them for myself to enjoy it ????????

K100 cafe racer

• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?

After I was convinced that I would go for a K100, I saw on Instagram a guy from Canada (his instagram is @johnverds) — a red K100 with a lot of body in the front. Then I realized you could make the K100 so rugged.

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

• What custom work was done to the bike?
  • Side covers for the tank
  • Koso odometer
  • Top and bottom yoke from @moto_cnc
  • YSS Sidewinder shock absorber set
  • Tank cap and foot pegs, Power Brick
  • Subframe, exhaust, and the tail from cafe4racer
  • Tires: Michelin Anakee
  • Clip-ons from motoism
  • 3D-printed parts include injection cover, ignition lock, emblem (soon to make a custom front fender)
  • Overflow coolant tank
  • Headlight, grips, lighting from Max inc
  • Mirrors, rear blinkers / brake light from LSL
  • New brake lines front and rear
  • Kbox
  • Noco battery
  • Seat: Miller Kustom Upholstery
  • Tank covers
• Does the bike have a nickname?

I call her “Marija.”  I treat her with as much love as I treat my own wife.

K100 cafe racer

• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride?

A hell of a beast. I feel so confidence on it!

K100 cafe racer

• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?

Compared to the other bikes I’ve made, this one has a sportier look.

K100 cafe racer

What I really like even more is the robust front with that fairing set, and the suspension with those shock absorbers, which makes the whole wheel free.

K100 cafe racer

Builder: @moto_rebuild

Photographer: @maabre

One Comment

  1. Philippe Barnoud

    Great sculptural muscle motorbike with testoterone look
    Congrats to the builder.
    Sincerely,
    Philippe from Paris

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