Porsche-Inspired Pink Pig: 1000cc BMW R80 Café Racer

Porsche 917/20-inspired BMW from Germany’s Rindperformance…  

For the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans, Porsche worked with French aerodynamics specialist SERA (Société d’Études et de Réalisations Automobiles) to create a one-off prototype that combined the high-speed stability of the long-tail 917LH with the agile handling of the short-tail 917K. The result was the Porsche 917/20. 

The highly aerodynamic body was very wide and rounded, with bulbous wheel arches, deeply recessed wheels, and a stubby front lip. More than one observer remarked that it looked like a fat pig. 

“Legend has it that when the car ran its first test lap, one of the team sponsors – Count Rossi of the Martini & Rossi drinks company – was less than enamoured. The wider 917/20 was not what he had imagined and so he refused to let it race in the signature blue, red and white Martini colours. It meant that Porsche had to think fast and design a new racing livery quickly. In the end it was Porsche designer Anatole Lapine who stepped in to save the day with a now celebrated livery.” –Porsche

Porsche leaned into the joke with a swine-inspired livery, and the result would become one of the most iconic race cars of all time, the 917 “Pink Pig.” What’s more, the aerodynamic changes had paid off. The #23 Pink Pig qualified in seventh, and it was holding third at the halfway mark of the ’71 Le Mans, twelve hours into the race.

Sadly, a brake failure forced the car’s retirement, but the legend lived on…

“Such was the affection in which it was held that the 917/20 gained other nicknames apart from the Pink Pig – including ‘Big Berta’ and ‘The truffle sniffer from Zuffenhausen’. German-speakers know it as ‘Die Sau’, which means ‘The Sow’.” –Porsche

Enter Germany’s Rindperformance, who’ve made a name for themselves with projects inspired by motoring icons such as Freddie Spencer, James Dean, and Paul Smart. For a “Pink Pig”-inspired build, Rindperformance’s Mr. Ludolf chose a 1990 BMW R80RT.

“I’ve always loved classic race cars, especially their iconic liveries, so I decided to bring the legendary Porsche 917 ‘Pink Pig’ look to a motorcycle. With its smooth, rounded curves, I thought it would be the perfect match for a fully faired BMW.”

The 800cc flat-twin boxer engine has been punched out to a full liter with a 1000cc Siebenrock Power Kit. For the R80 series, this kit boosts output from 49 to 61 horsepower and torque from 57 to 72 nM (53 ft-lbs). 

“Apart from that, the conversion kit eliminates the typical BMW torque dropout between 4000 and 5000 revs and captivates with a formidably quiet running thanks to the lighter pistons.” -Siebenrock

The big-bore engine was matched with a custom-built exhaust and open air filters, giving this “Sau” (Sow) a lot more grunt. 

Then came the bodywork, which was designed to mimic the 917 lines. Rindperformance fabricated a new rear subframe and installed a custom-upholstered Alcantara seat, and the front fairing is a 70-style unit. Clip-on bars put the rider into a racer’s crouch, while Shinko rubber keeps this pink pig glued to the road. 

Mr. Ludolf says the pink bike gets a lot of attention on the road, especially from those in the motoring know. 

“When you’re riding a pink motorcycle, almost everyone turns their head to take a closer look…. What I’m really proud of is how well the design fits the lines of the BMW. It almost feels like the motorcycle was born right out of the Porsche 917 racing era.”

We love this two-wheeled tribute to one of the most recognizable icons in motorsports, and we look forward to seeing what motoring legend inspires the next project from Rindperformance. Below you’ll find our full interview with Mr. Ludolf about the build, along with more photos — several from Berlin’s @gilli.graphics, taken at the 2026 Glemseck 101.

“Sau” BMW R80RT Café Racer:  Builder Interview

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

BMW, R80RT, from 1990

• Why was this bike built? 

I built this bike for myself. I’ve always loved classic race cars, especially their iconic liveries, so I decided to bring the legendary Porsche 917 “Pink Pig” look to a motorcycle. With its smooth, rounded curves, I thought it would be the perfect match for a fully faired BMW.

Photos: @gilli.graphics

• Can you list the custom work done to the bike?

• Homemade rear
• Alcantara Seat
• Homemade exhaust
• 70s Style front fairing
• Shinko tire
• 1000ccm Siebenrock Power Kit
• Open air filter
• clip-on handlebars

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

Thanks to the Siebenrock 1000cc conversion, the old lady has plenty of torque right from the lower rev range, making her wonderfully relaxed to ride low in the revs.

However, with the clip-on handlebars and the small seat cushion, long tours aren’t really its strong suit anymore. But for a quick ride to get a coffee, she’s more than perfect.

Above all, when you’re riding a pink motorcycle, almost everyone turns their head to take a closer look.

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

What I’m really proud of is how well the design fits the lines of the BMW. It almost feels like the motorcycle was born right out of the Porsche 917 racing era.

Follow the Builder

Instagram: @mr.ludolf | @rindperformance

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