Undaunted: “Impávida” BMW K100 Café Racer

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

K100 Café Racer from Oveja Negra… 

Surely the BMW Motorrad engineers developing the original K100 in the late 70s and early 80s never expected their four-cylinder “Flying Brick” to become a darling of the custom world nearly four decades after its introduction. However, the angular lines, stout 90-horse engine, and BMW build quality, longevity, and mystique continue to compel contemporary riders and customizers.

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

This ’87 BMW K100LT comes from Diego Meda and the small crew of La Oveja Negra Custom (The Black Sheep), a small workshop in the Basque country of northern Spain. In their four years of operation, they’ve built 40+ motorcycles, with a particular emphasis on the Royal Enfield and BMW K-series:

“Our company motto is: We make fun motorcycles.”

The LT was the top-of-the-line touring model, a 624-lb cruise ship with full fairings and luggage akin to a Goldwing in size and intended usage. This particular donor, however, had seen better days, with the fairings cracked and rashed due to an accident. Of course, that made it a perfect candidate for transformation, and the client had a fairly clear idea of what he wanted:

“He wanted a motorcycle with a Neo-café racer style but at the same time one that did not lose the spirit of a Black Sheep…keeping the BMW colors.”

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

Diego says he and his crew put about 80 hours of work into the build. Highlights include a modified subframe with bespoke fiberglass tail section (removable) and alcantara saddle, longer 380mm Öhlins rear shock, K100 RS wheels, streamlined cockpit with new bars and high-power LED lighting, and an assortment of handmade carbon fiber components.

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

Nicknamed “Impávida” (Undaunted), this busted-up tourer has been honed down into a cruise missile that recalls the sports cars of the BMW M Division. Below, we talk to Diego for more details on the build.

BMW K100 Café Racer: Builder Interview

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.

We are a workshop located in a small town in the north of Spain in the Basque Country. The team is made up of Diego (me), the manager, and three people who eventually help — Eneko, an engineer, and Andoni Mecanico and Nacho Asesor — but basically I work alone.

Suzuki DR Big 800 Marlboro

In the four years that we have been in business, we have made more than 40 motorcycles. We only work to order and according to the wishes of the client, always trying to maintain the image and the lifestyle and the way of making the motorcycles that characterizes us, making “black sheep” motorcycles recognizable anywhere just by seeing them.  Our strong point is the Royal Enfield. We really like working with BMW and the K series is another of our specialties. Our company motto is: We make fun motorcycles. It is important for us to make fun motorcycles. We like the authentic, the real…

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

This motorcycle is a BMW K100LT from 1987.

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

• Why was this bike built?

Due to a fall, it had broken fairings and several broken components.

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

It is a commission from a client who had some very clear guidelines. He wanted a motorcycle with a Neo-café racer style but at the same time did not lose the spirit of a Black Sheep. A motorcycle that would be strong, but keeping the colors of BMW.

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

• What custom work was done to the bike?

The work on the motorcycle is extensive with more than 80 hours of work.

As for the subchassis, it was cut and raised, and the rear suspension was modified and raised to 380 mm. An Öhlins shock absorber was installed, and a removable fiberglass tail was manufactured, handmade with an aerodynamic shape.

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

A bespoke support for the license plate and indicators was mounted, an alcantara seat embroidered the BMW colors, and a lot of pieces were made in real carbon fiber, such as the air scoops and front fender. The handlebar was replaced with a racing one and the controls were simplified. A high-power LED headlight was installed and mirrors with embedded turn signals, and a lot of more details.

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

Does the bike have a nickname?

“IMPÁVIDA” (Undaunted).

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

Riding this motorcycle is a pleasure. If you like to ride a motorcycle from a bygone era, without all the modern electronic aids to interfere with your riding style, this is your motorcycle — you get the sensations of power and enjoyment without having to go at ultra high speeds — it’s a beautiful experience.

BMW K100 Cafe Racer

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Web: laovejanegracustom.wixsite.com
Instagram: @laovejanegra.custom

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