The Ruhe

It doesn't get much more custom than hand-smelted badges, a new gold standard (or in this case, copper) of personalisation for our Camperdown workshop. As a nod to his trade as a jeweller, owner Rob wanted to take copper out of the factory and into the streets of Sydney, plated onto the frame of a BMW  R100R. By the time this one rolled onto the showroom floor, BMW's air-cooled boxer twin had been in production for 70 years. An engine that amassed a cult following both on and off-road for its reliability, serviceability and torquey off-beat firing characteristics. 

After stripping the bike to absolute essentials, it was unrecognisable- the local peanut gallery of prying eyes noted this was probably for the best. Jeremy reduced the subframe to a more manageable size, leaving room for a passenger. A custom aluminium seat base with recessed tail light was formed around the new subframe, wrapped in black leather.

Old-world pastiche might make for an eye-pleasing frame, but the cockpit was in need of a modern touch. Front and centre is a Motoscope Pro, Mo.switch mini’s, Mo.blaze bar-end indicators, Mo.View glassless mirrors, Beringer brake and clutch perches and a Messner Moto throttle- all perched atop Rizoma handlebars, while a Koso thunderbolt headlight illuminates the road ahead.

The motor was treated to some upgrades including a digital ignition, two into two pipes, DNA pod filters and Motorretro alloy airbox cover which now houses the battery. The handling package consists of an Ikon monoshock, YSS fork internals and Continental TKC80 tyres wrapped around freshly re-laced rims.   

We'd like to thank Rob for lending his metallurgic expertise on this one, a rare and welcome opportunity for collaboration.