For a man who only works on his builds three days per week, Jérémie Duchampt of Jerem Motorcycles consistently turns out some of the most well-executed projects on the planet. The Frenchman began his bike-building journey just three years ago, when he modified his personal Ducati Streetfighter 1098s. Fast forward to 2023, and Jérémie has established himself as one of the best in the business, with his builds featured not just here at BikeBound but in a wide array of publications and shows.
For such a prolific builder, it might come as surprise that he hasn’t tackled a BMW R100 yet. The 1000cc Airhead is one of the most commonly customized machines in the culture. This donor, in particular, has special meaning for Jérémie:
“This bike was the bike of a very good friend of mine (Michel), and I had wanted to make a BMW R model for a long time.”
Jérémie prides himself on not following the trends set by others, relying instead on his own vision, ideas, and the “neo-retro” mode he’s currently working in:
“Everything is done a little on personal ideas, and above all, I like to do what is not easy and not seen on social media.”
The desire to challenge himself can be seen especially in the adaptation of the swingarm, a BMW R1150RT unit designed for a much wider rear rim and tire than the original:
“It was a lot of work to use a large tire (160/55/17), and above all, to have the wheel centered (which is rarely the case).”
Other highlights include the R nineT front end swap, one-off tail section with plexiglass light housing, billet tank logos, custom saddle with leather and purple tartan (courtesy of Yaya Brush Saddlery), custom bikini fairing and exhaust, and much more.
Jérémie says the bike is such a delight he might have trouble parting with it:
“It’s perfectly stable and precise, it’s a delight to ride with, I love it (it’s going to be difficult to sell it and not keep it for myself).”
Below, Jérémie gives us more complete details about “Nebula.”
BMW R100RT Café Racer: Builder Interview
• Tell us a little about yourself, your history with motorcycles and your workshop.
I am Jérémie, from the Jerem-Motorcycles workshop. I have been a motorcycle builder for almost three years. I started by chance with my own motorcycle, which was a Ducati Streetfighter 1098s. I build between 6 and 7 motorcycles per year — Nébula is number 15. But custom building is not my main activity; I only work on it 3 days a week. The rest of the time, I am on my other company.
• What is the make, model and year of the bike?
BMW R100RT from 1994.
• How long did build take?
I worked on this bike for around 350 hours.
• Why was this bike built?
It’s a personal motorcycle that will be on sale soon.
• Where does the donor’s bike come from for this project?
This bike was the bike of a very good friend of mine (Michel), and I had wanted to make a BMW R model for a long time.
• What was your design concept and was it influenced by anything?
I’m still in more of a neo-retro “café racer” mode.
• What was your approach to designing this bike?
I mostly have everything in my head, I only make diagrams for small parts like the back cover for Nebula.
• How did you decide which modifications to use for this project?
Everything is done a little on personal ideas, and above all, I like to do what is not easy and not seen on social media.
• What custom work was done on the bike?
Build sheet below.
• What was the most difficult aspect of the build?
It was above all the integration of the rear swingarm. It was a lot of work to use a large tire (160/55/17), and above all, to have the wheel centered (which is rarely the case).
• How does the bike behave now compared to before it was modified?
It’s perfectly stable and precise, it’s a delight to ride with, I love it (it’s going to be difficult to sell it and not keep it for myself).
Build Sheet
NEBULA: BMW R100RT, 1994
Suspension / Chassis:
Complete front end from a BMW R nineT
Steering damper
BMW R1150RT swingarm
Custom steel gimbal
BMW 850GS rear rim with 160/55/17 tire
EXACT custom brake lines
Frame modification, swingarm, and new rear loop
Nissin front brake master cylinders and Brembo calipers
Öhlins rear shock absorber, custom prepared by DIP racing
Electrical:
Mo-unit Blue + mo-lock
CNC 3-putton switches
LED headlight with black background
BOLT LED light/stop
Front LED indicators from KELLERMAN
Rear LED indicator with machined plexi
SOLISE battery support modification
ARIA digital counter (Aeon France)
Engine:
Refurbished interior/exterior
Refurbished carburettors as well as all cables
New Series 5 aluminum air box
Custom exhaust with Delcampo silencer
Aesthetics:
Custom fiberglass fork crown with MotoGP style spoiler (FFpro Design)
Custom rear shell (unique style) with integration of indicators and lights
Tank raised by 4 cm
Suspended fiber engine guard
TE fork machining (USV Racing) as well as parts for fork adaptation
Recaro saddle in purple tartan fabric and custom leather (Yaya Brush Saddlery)
Tank logo cut from aluminum billet
Monza classic 200 fuel cap
CNC aluminum mirrors
Highsider handles and mirrors
Paint:
BMW P28 purple tank and rear shell and screen
Rims: satin black hubs, purple P28 rims, new chrome spokes
Satin black epoxy frame
Swingarm, engine, satin black fork legs
OR ceramic carburetor covers and tanks (@vaporblasting58)
Follow the Builder
Instagram: @jerem_motorcycles
Facebook: Jerem Motorcycles
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