England’s Pier Metropolis Cycles leads the cost this week, with a {custom} BMW R12 in a timeless roadster fashion. We additionally profile a Moto Guzzi V7 scrambler from Unikat Motorworks, a Suzuki DR-Z400 constructed to tackle the Sahara, and a Harley-Davidson Sportster S from a Lithuanian elements producer.
BMW R12 by Pier Metropolis Cycles The English workshop Pier Metropolis Cycles made their bones customizing the BMW R nineT in myriad methods. So it was solely a matter of time earlier than they labored their magic on the up to date BMW R12.
Commissioned by the BMW Motorrad mothership themselves, this good-looking boxer was designed to showcase the R12’s malleability. Pier Metropolis performed it sensible, eschewing the everyday café racer and scrambler kinds to construct a basic roadster. There’s nothing excessive right here—only a smorgasbord of tasteful mods that harmonize to create a {custom} motorbike that appears, dare we are saying it, snug.
One of many BMW R12’s cleverest particulars can also be considered one of its subtlest. Pier Metropolis eradicated the airbox to hole out the realm beneath the seat—a activity made simpler because of the R12’s structure, which has the battery mounted beneath the gas tank. However as soon as the whole lot was stripped out, the crew was confronted with the unpleasant body brace that’s usually hidden by bodywork.
To unravel this, they designed a three-piece body cowl that additionally acts as an inside fender for the rear wheel. Eager eyes may even discover an Öhlins shock wedged into the tidy under-seat triangle.
A custom-made headlight nacelle sits up entrance, whereas Motogadget mirrors adorn the bars. The rear fender’s been deleted, with a {custom} tray tidying the realm beneath the freshly upholstered saddle.
The ending touches give the BMW R12 one thing of a sizzling rod really feel. From the crisp paint job and powder-coated wheels, to the burly low-slung G&G exhaust system, this roadster is pitch-perfect. [Source]
Moto Guzzi V7 Stone by Unikat Motorworks The Moto Guzzi V7 won’t be the quickest fashionable basic on the market, nevertheless it’s an incredible clean canvas for personalisation. This 2022-model V7 Stone has simply gone beneath the knife at Unikat Motorworks in Poland, rising as a rugged lemon-hued scrambler.
Unikat’s work on the common-or-garden V7 was all about massaging it in the precise locations. The subframe was trimmed and looped, earlier than being handled to an abbreviated rear fender.
The crew needed a shorter seat, with a spot between it and the rear loop to recall the British scramblers of yore. However they didn’t wish to lose the neat interface between the entrance of the OEM seat and the gas tank. In order that they hacked off the entrance of the inventory seat pan, fabricated a brand new rear half, and added foam and fabric.
Transferring to the suspension, Unikat dropped a Bitubo cartridge equipment into the forks and put in a pair of Bitubo shocks on the again, elevating the rear journey top a smidgen. The forks retain their authentic brace, however the entrance fender’s been swapped out for a home made high-mounted unit. The wheels are laced tubeless objects from Kineo, and the tires are Michelin Anakee Wilds.
Subsequent, the inventory headlight was remounted onto a bespoke bracket that brings it nearer to the forks and provides a touch of utilitarian fashion. Different upgrades embody braced handlebars, Evotech levers, bar-end flip indicators, and Motogadget mirrors. A Motogadget motoscope mini speedo sits in entrance of the ignition barrel, whereas three-in-one Highsider LEDs deal with taillight and rear flip sign duties.
A two-into-one stainless-steel exhaust system swoops its manner down the right-hand aspect of the Moto Guzzi V7, terminating in a wonderfully proportioned reverse cone muffler.
For the livery, Unikat needed one thing that was minimal, however nonetheless placing. They settled on a yellow base with darkish gray stripes, choosing the precise colour codes from the Audi and Ferrari catalogs, respectively.
It’s a placing search for the usually vanilla V7 Stone—and it seems to be prefer it’d be a hoot on winding nation lanes and free fireplace roads. [Source]
Suzuki DR-Z400 by Marco Graziani and Giorgio de Angelis Off-road lovers are spoiled for alternative with regards to enduro bikes geared for high-stakes desert racing. However what if the stakes are a bit decrease—and the emphasis is on fashion somewhat than velocity?
This eclectic Suzuki DR-Z400 desert racer was constructed to deal with this 12 months’s working of La Ruta del Nabab. It’s a bike journey via the Saharan desert the place fashionable plastic bikes are shunned in favor of neo-retro and {custom} rides—the extra inventive, the higher.
It belongs to Giorgio de Angelis, who’s gone to nice lengths to construct a desert racer like no different. However lengthy earlier than Giorgio obtained his fingers on it, Marco Graziani of CC Racing Storage labored on it, creating a full aluminum body to shave weight and enhance dealing with.
Marco by no means discovered the time to complete the total construct—so Giorgio took it over and obtained it throughout the end line.
The DR-Z400’s handmade aluminum bodywork is actually attention-grabbing. The rear part is especially intriguing. Right here, the seat splits, and the metalwork tapers, drawing consideration to the titanium exhaust that runs via the physique and exits out again.
The graphics had been designed by Miami-based artist Andrew A. Antonaccio, with inexperienced wheels complementing the desert sand theme.
Giorgio’s an skilled off-road rider, so this construct is as a lot about tackling the desert as it’s about wanting cool. Billet aluminum yokes add rigidity to the entrance finish, whereas tapered handlebars provide extra management and luxury. You’ll additionally discover upgraded aluminum radiators, a sump guard, and body safety.
Are there higher bikes for off-road driving? Most likely—however none are as distinctive as this one. [Giorgio de Angelis Instagram | Images by Giovanni de Angelis]
Harley-Davidson Sportster S by Killer Customized Primarily based in Lithuania, Killer Customized makes a speciality of bolt-on {custom} elements for American V-twins. So when Harley introduced the brand new Sportster S to market, Killer Customized snapped one up and turned it right into a check mattress (and showcase) for brand new elements.
Killer Customized’s adjustments lean into the muscular, neo-futuristic vibe of the Sportster S. The entrance sports activities a brand new headlight nacelle and a large set of two” T-bars. A brief Killer Customized fender hovers above the entrance wheel.
Additional again, a Killer Customized seat pad replaces the inventory unit for a slimmer look. The Harley’s clunky rear wheel hugger-slash-license plate holder is gone, changed by a neater side-mounted bracket. The slim LED flip indicators and taillight are all from the store’s catalog.
The glossy high-mounted exhaust is from KessTech in Germany, and options the power to regulate the amount degree.
The Sportster S is completed off in an ice-cold sparkle paint job, with a blacked-out engine and purple graphics on the wheels.
If this shiny prototype tickles your fancy, it’s presently on the market by way of the Bike EXIF Classifieds. And because it’s solely be used for exhibits and quick check rides, there’s a measly 130 miles on the clock.
