Black Cycles Australia builds a John Player Brick…
The BMW K100 — aka the “Flying Brick” — remains one of the more peculiar designs to roll out of the Bavarian Motor Works factory. Conceived at a time when BMW Motorrad felt the need to develop a modern liquid-cooled four-cylinder machine to compete with the Japanese, the K100 was quite unlike any other motorcycle on the market. The 998cc inline-four resembled an automotive engine turned on its side in the chassis — the root of the “Flying Brick” nickname.
The K100 (and its three-cylinder sibling, the K75) proved quite the capable sport-tourers, reaffirming BMW’s penchant for unorthodox design. Today, against all expectations, the K100 has become a popular candidate for full-blown custom transformations. Popularity, however, certainly doesn’t equate to quality. The K100 is a challenging donor, and many of the K100 creations out there are half-baked or simply derivative.
Enter our old buddy Noel Muller of Black Cycles Australia, who’s known for bringing a fresh vision to existing platforms. In this case, a repeat customer gave him an ’86 K100 and free rein in terms of design:
“Tough decision, but I went with a sort of enduro/scrambler style, as I haven’t really seen any done well!”
Noel gives us the full story below. We’re especially impressed by his work with the OEM tank — strange as it may seem, we can’t remember anyone cutting up and reshaping one to this extent. It really transforms the bike. Other highlights include beefed-up forks, a horizontal rear shock linkage, one-off bodywork fabricated from 2.5mm aluminum sheet, NWT Cycletronic electronics (video demonstration below), John Player-inspired livery laid down by Justin from Popbang Classics, and more.
“The bike now has much more usable power than the original and it’s actually very smooth/comfortable to ride!”
Hats off to Noel for bringing a fresh perspective to a well-worn platform. Below you’ll find the full build report from Noel, with more photos courtesy of Gold Coast Studio.
In the Builder’s Words…
I have a great return customer, John, who brought me a 1986 BMW K100 RS with good km’s on it and as usual let me have full design freedom over the build. Tough decision, but I went with a sort of Enduro/scrambler style, as I haven’t really seen any done well!
I started with the stance, beefing up the forks and using the horizontal billet rear shock linkage set up to the right height. Next was to cut off the complete subframe area and rebuild it to flow with the planned panels.
Then I decided to slim down the fuel tank. Doing some research, I’ve noticed no one has really cut into the original aluminum tanks on these for whatever reason? I’ve cut off the complete top and removed an inch of height, cut a decent chunk from the rear (added angle to that area), and turned the top piece completely back to front to bring the fuel filler forward, all the while keeping in mind still needing access to fit the fuel pump and filter back inside when done…
I’ve used a Husqvarna enduro LED headlight up front and fabricated the complete one-piece number plate, surround, and fender from 2.5mm aluminum sheet. The side panels and rear fender were built in one piece from the same aluminum…I was sort of going for an early 90’s look with the bodywork.
Next was the seat, made with an aluminum base, foam shaped in-house, and then beautifully wrapped by Adam at Carman’s Auto Trimming in black with gold stitching and retro pleats.
Original alloy wheels were used, painted in “aluminum gold” 2K paint andwrapped in Shinko enduro tyres. A digital enduro speedo was used and Kellerman micro all-in-one indicators all round…
Now we come to the main electronics. The K models are notorious for being a pain in the ass to modify, remove, or add new electrical gear, but luckily I was approached by Peter from Byron Motorcycles, who is the Australasian distributor for NWT Cycletronic — a Canadian based company with some really good products to enhance and improve motorcycles, and a more affordable alternative to the big one, plus an easy-to-contact tech service!
On this build I’ve used their X3.P marked multi function handlebar buttons, X3.P control hub, KEYX.R keyless switch with remote controls, the SOLX.200 starter solenoid, their H-105db horn, and the new SODION sodium battery (that’s right SALT) — it’s light, non explosive, holds great voltage, and nearly cranks the starter motor out of the bike!
I decided on the classic John Player special racing livery for this one, can’t go wrong with the black ‘n’ gold which Justin from Popbang Classics laid down flawlessly.
A stainless steel reverse cone muffler was used with a collector I made to fit the original stainless headers.
Renthal bars, Amal throttle, lever-set, Hel brake lines, MX foot pegs, billet MX-style fuel cap, etc. were also added.
The engine was totally cleaned up and finished in 2K matte black.
John has said the bike now has much more usable power than the original & it’s actually very smooth/comfortable to ride!
John will offer the bike for sale after he’s enjoyed it a little!
More Photos
Builder Thanks
@popbangclassics
@nwtcycletronic
@byron_motorcycles
@carmans_auto_trimmers
@helperformance
@shinko.global
Follow the Builder
Black Cycles Australia: Facebook | @blackcyclesaustralia
Photos: Gold Coast Studio
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