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BMW Cafe Racer

The German company BMW Motorrad built its first motorcycle, the R32, in 1923. Powered by a 494cc flat-twin boxer the R32’s horizontally opposed engine configuration became an iconic feature of BMW motorcycles throughout their history. In later years they also developed the flat-four engine used in models like the K100. This engine was coined the ‘flying brick’ due to its bulky appearance. Despite its unfortunate nickname the flat-four still the level of performance that earned BMW their well-respected reputation.

Older BMW “airhead” boxer twins and R series models are popular choices for BMW cafe racer projects. With some models featuring bolt-on subframes and others sporting aluminum fuel tanks, choosing a BMW as the donor for your project has its benefits. In more recent years BMW has embraced the custom scene by creating the R Nine T. The BMW R9T was designed and built specifically with customization in mind.

In our archives, you’ll find countless BMW cafe racer features that are a great source of inspiration and tips for anyone hoping to build their own.

PinBMW R65 Scrambler
BikesBMW Cafe RacerScrambler

Scrambler – Rogue Motorcycles R65

For more than a decade I’ve stayed true to this websites cafe racer theme. I can assure you this was...
PinBMW R nineT Cafe Racer
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

T Minus – Deep Creek BMW R nineT

The cafe racer in BMW’s R nineT heritage series won hearts with its sleek styling. However, motorcycle journalists brought a...
PinKott BMW R80 cafe racer
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Chop Talk – Kott Motorcycles BMW R80

One of the many amazing bikes on display at this year’s Handbuilt show in Austin was Dustin Kott’s BMW R80....
PinUnikat BMW K1100 cafe racer
BikesBMW Cafe RacerKTM

Dynamite – Unikat BMW K1100LT

Mentioning Grand Tourer and cafe racer in the same sentence isn’t something you’ll see me do often. That’s because bikes...
PinRevival BMW R18
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Chop Talk – Revival Cycles BMW R18

The Katze is finally out of the Tasche. BMW Motorrad has unveiled its highly anticipated R18 concept. As we all...
PinKaylan BMW K120
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Bigger Badder Beemer – Gallows Garage K120

Perth’s Kaylan Galloway is a guy who likes to do things the hard way. Probably because he can. A welder...
PinBMW R1200RT cafe racer
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Transforming a Tourer – Si Mantas R1200RT

In full dress, the BMW R1200RT tips the scales at hefty 259kg. This is by no means an ideal starting...
PinBMW R75 Cognito Moto
BikesBMW Cafe RacerBuilding a Cafe RacerMotorcycle Videos

Sunday Screening – Cognito BMW R75 Build

Our friends over at Cognito Moto have been toiling away on their latest custom BMW R75 project. The project was...
PinRoadburner BMW R80 Cafe Racer
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Modern Heritage – Road Burner BMW R80

Two motorcycle obsessed friends building bikes for a living. It sounds like the perfect life to be living. This is...
PinLucky Customs BMW 1100
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

No Bull – Lucky Customs BMW R1100 S

If you’re considering attempting to turn any kind of tourer into a cafe racer you’re going to have your work...
PinTwin Shock Division BMW scrambler
BikesBMW Cafe RacerScrambler

TIGER’S TALE – Titanium BMW R100GS

Twin Shock Division (TSD) Motorcycles is a tiny shop located in the Ukranian capital of Kiev. Headed by the talented...
PinCognito Moto BMW R75
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Golden Touch – Cognito BMW R75/5

Of all the boxers the BMW R75/5 models with the “toaster” tank are a firm favourite. They are less angular...
PinRetrorides BMW K100
BikesBMW Cafe RacerBuilding a Cafe Racer

RetroRides K100 Cafe Racer

Brazillian workshop Retrorides is the result of forty years of hard work by two generations of the Lourenço family. Nestled...
PinSinroja BMW R80
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Blue Fix – Sinroja R19 BMW R80/7

Customer requests and customer needs are two very different things. UK’s Sinroja Motorcycles are always happy to oblige with customer...
PinBMW R60/7 Cafe Racer
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Father’s Son – Le Bouterollier BMW R60/7

Experiences from our youth can have a profound effect on what we do later in life. For Jean-Pierre, it was...
PinWoidwerk BMW R Nine T
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Smith 001 – Woidwerk BMW R Nine T

Tucked away in the southeastern forests of Bavaria is the small town of Viechtach. If you look it up on...
PinBMW R100RT Cafe Racer
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Fond Memories – JOE’S BMW R100RT

Nostalgia can be a powerful motivator. For Joe Loss of Fremantle, Western Australia it started in his teenage years when...
PinUntitled motorcycles BMW R100
BikesBMW Cafe RacerScrambler

Kalifornia Dreaming – UMC BMW R100

Hugo Eccles and the Untitled Motorcycles team are capable of building pretty much whatever they can dream up. Their custom...
PinLe Bouterollier BMW R65
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Timeless Twin – Le Bouterollier BMW R65

It’s been less than 6 months since we featured the Le Bouterollier BMW R60/7 and Jean-Pierre is back with yet...
PinBerrybads custom R NineT
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Heritage Boost – Berry Bads BMW R nineT

Kyohey Sugimoto, owner of Berrybads Motorcycles works out of a modest space in Ōtsu, the capital of Japan’s Shiga Prefecture....
PinMotorcycle videos
BikesBMW Cafe RacerMotorcycle VideosTriumph Cafe Racer

Sunday Screening – Thornton T120 & BMW R18

Here’s a little something to get you through another night glued to the couch. Our latest instalment of the Sunday...
PinValtoron BMW R100RS
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Rhombus 1000 – Valtoron Max Boxer BMW R100RS

More and more motorcycle workshops are utilising advanced manufacturing technologies to realise their custom creations. 10 years ago three-dimensional computer-aided...
PinAn-Bu BMW K100 RS
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

An-Bu Customs BMW K100 RS

For many years the United States was the biggest source of inspiration for custom motorcycle builders around the world. Then...
PinKraftrad Noeda K100 RS
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Flight Ready – Kraftrad Noeda BMW K100 RS

When it comes to customising older BMW motorcycles the R series airheads are the most popular weapon of choice. Fuss-free...
PinBMW R65 Cafe Racer
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Road to Recovery – Scott Campbell’s BMW R65

Sometimes techniques for overcoming adversity are found in unexpected places. Scott Campbell found the solution to his battling his demons...
PinModified BMW R nine T
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

The Dark Knight – Singular Rides BMW R Nine T

Back in 2013 BMW Motorrad celebrated the 40th anniversary of the legendary BMW R 90 S with the unveiling of...
PinBMW R90/6 cafe racer
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Splendid Six – Jesse Scott Baumann BMW R90/6

The year is 1973 and Bavarian Motor Works has just celebrated their 50th anniversary. In addition, they’ve also just completed...
PinBMW R100 Scrambler
BikesBMW Cafe RacerScrambler

Ready for Action – Hellraiser R100 Scrambler

We have a serious soft spot for BMW cafe racers but we’re also big fans of Scrambler styled Beemers. There’s...
Pin86 Gear BMW R100 RT
BMW Cafe Racer

Bavarian Beauty – 86 Gear R100 RT

Christian Boosen runs 86 Gear Motorcycles, a custom motorcycle shop in Warsaw, Poland. Growing up alongside the Dutch border in...
Pin
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

KBike Crazy – Ron Dey’s BMW K100RS

From building show cars to display at the hallowed halls of the Las Vegas Sema show to tinkering on Honda...
Pin
BikesBMW Cafe Racer

Style Guides – Pier City Cycles R nineT

BMW Motorrad has just lifted the covers off their upcoming 2021 R nineT range. This is of course great news...
PinIMB14 BMW R80 cafe racer
BMW Cafe Racer

Self Expression – IMB14 Venice BMW R80

We’ve all had a gut full of 2020 and I’m sure most people would agree they’ll be glad to see...
PinBolt Motor Co. BMW Scrambler
BMW Cafe RacerScrambler

Practical Elegance – Bolt Motor Co. R100RS

Adrián Campos and the team at Valencia’s Bolt Motor Co. are set to finish their 50th build sometime during 2021....
PinBMW K1100 Cafe Racer
BMW Cafe Racer

Jekyll & Hyde – BMW K1100 by David Manchester

When he’s not fabricating parts for submarines (Yes, you read that right) David Manchester is building bespoke furniture or helping...
Pincafe racer in garage
BikesBMW Cafe RacerDucati Cafe RacerHonda Cafe RacerMotorcycle ReviewsMV AgustaStile ItalianoTriumph Cafe RacerYamaha Cafe Racer

Top 10 Cafe Racer Builds of 2020

Well, that wraps up yet another year of amazing cafe racer builds from custom workshops and backyard builders around the...
PinWoidwerk Bmw R100/7
BMW Cafe Racer

Steel & Wood – Woidwerk BMW R100/7

If you’re customising motorcycles in Bavaria it seems only right said motorcycles should be those built by BMW Motorrad. Ralf...
PinTwisted Fate BMW K1100
BMW Cafe Racer

The Enforcer – Twisted Fate BMW K1100LT

Melbourne is arguably the creative hub of Australia. If you’re looking for great food or a cultural experience the city...
PinOrtolani BMW R NineT
BMW Cafe Racer

Same But Different – Ortolani R Nine T

Back in 2017, French builder Ortolani Customs wowed us with his metalworking prowess. His polished Ducati 1199 S earned him...
PinOnix BMW R100S
BMW Cafe Racer

Doctor’s Order – Ønix BMW R100S

Working with clients can be both challenging and rewarding. When Ønix Design’s latest customer, a doctor from Valencia, brought his...
PinBMW K1100RS Cafe Racer
BMW Cafe Racer

The Roach – BMW K1100 RS Cafe Racer

This isn’t the first time we’ve featured a BMW cafe racer that’s been put together by a BMW car enthusiast....
PinBMW R18 Review
BMW Cafe RacerMotorcycle Reviews

BMW R18 Ride Review

The fine vólk at BMW Motorrad have a motorcycle for every occasion – just meander into a dealership and look...
PinMoto Essence custom BMW
BMW Cafe Racer

Second Course – Moto Essence BMW R75/5

Repeat customers are the bread and butter of every business. Unfortunately, for some businesses, such as custom motorcycle builders, most...
PinBMW R9T custom cafe racer
BMW Cafe Racer

Razor Sharp – Gas & Oil BMW R Nine T

Unless you’re buying a Harley-Davidson most dealerships don’t offer much in the way of customisation at the time of sale....
PinK1100 LT cafe racer
BMW Cafe Racer

Kings of Queens – HellGate K1100 LT

New York City is arguably the planets most influential style and culture mecca. Whatever you’re into you’re sure to find...
PinHellgate BMW K75
BMW Cafe Racer

Two of a Kind – HellGate BMW K75S

Last week we featured a very tidy BMW K1100 LT cafe racer by Anthony LoGalbo of New York based workshop...
PinCustom 1982 BMW R65 Scrambler from AMP Motorcycles in Germany
BMW Cafe RacerScrambler

Blue Beered – AMP Motorcycles’ 1983 BMW R65

Custom bikes often opt for a shock and awe approach to make an impact in this modern, social media-saturated world....
PinBMW Street Scrambler
BMW Cafe RacerScrambler

Marc’s BMW R100S Street Scrambler

BMW’s stalwart R100 was offered in various guises from 1976 to 1996. The 980cc boxer twins made adequate power, had...
PinMans Custom Worx BMW K100
BMW Cafe Racer

Numero Uno – Mans Custom Worx BMW K100

High in the northeastern reaches of Italy, you’ll find the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Bordered by Slovenia and Austria it’s...
PinCustom BMW R18
BMW Cafe RacerBobber

Insomnia – Unikat Motorworks BMW R18

Not all custom builds have to completely transform a motorcycle to catch our attention. Fresh on the heels of BMW...
PinCustom Creations BMW R100R Cafe Racer
BMW Cafe Racer

The Rise – Custom Creations BMW R100R

What better way to celebrate a motorcycle workshop’s 10 year anniversary than with a build that showcases everything they’re capable...
PinBlackout Customs BMW K100RT
BMW Cafe Racer

Marc Ellus – Blackout Custom Design K100RT

Are you a dreamer or a doer? Prior to 2018 Marcel Galuszka would have labelled himself a dreamer. But when...
Pin
BMW Cafe RacerCustom Motorcycle Builder

On Trend – Rogue Motorcycles BMW R65

Even in the motorcycle world, trends, like all things in life, come and go. The cafe racer scene has seen...
PinMoto Adonis BMW R nineT Girder custom motorcycle in Amsterdam alley
BMW Cafe RacerCafe Racers

GIRDER YOUR LOINS: A BMW R NineT Neo Racer from Moto Adonis

When it comes to building custom bikes, taking the path less travelled is never the easy option. Sure, cafe racers...
PinCafe Racer New Style R100R
BMW Cafe Racer

Silver Star – CRNS BMW R100R

During its impressive 20-year run, there were 81 different model variations of the BMW R100. The iconic boxer has been...
PinMeister Engineering BMW R Nine T
BMW Cafe Racer

The Doppelgänger – Meister Engineering BMW R Nine T

Building 2 identical motorcycles probably wouldn’t sound all that appealing to most builders. But for Antoine Meister who runs the...
PinBMW R100RT Cafe Racer
BMW Cafe Racer

This Beemer’s Got Back – Speakeasy Motors R100T

Sometimes it’s a single detail that defines a build. Just one modification or handmade part that takes a custom motorcycle...
PinCatwoman motorcycle The Batman movie 2022
BMW Cafe RacerMovie motorcycles

The Catcycle – Catwoman’s Motorcycle from The Batman Movie

The latest instalment of the Batman movie series directed by Matt Reeves is due to hit US cinema screens in...
PinLord Drake Kustoms BMW R100
BMW Cafe Racer

Usable Style – Lord Drake BMW R Sport Edition

After the success of his first custom bike series, Fran Manen of Lord Drake Kustoms knew he was on to...
PinJay Donovan BMW R18 custom
BMW Cafe Racer

Future Cafe – Jay Donovan’s BMW R 18 Cafe Racer

I bet the last thing Edgar Heinrich and the BMW Motorrad Design team ever expected to see was their behemoth...
PinK-Speed BMW KL1100 cafe racer
BMW Cafe Racer

Shop with Confidence – KSpeed BMW K1100LT Cafe Racer

Trust is one of the biggest hurdles for any business. But once it is achieved, success will follow. After amassing...
PinWitkamp BMW K1100LT Cafe Racer
BMW Cafe Racer

Shining Example – Mitch Witkamp’s BMW K1100LT Cafe Racer

The bar has definitely been raised in the custom motorcycle scene. If you’re planning on impressing anyone a bolt-on seat,...
PinCognito Moto 2022 BMW R75/5
BMW Cafe Racer

Job Done – Cognito Moto BMW R75/5 Cafe Racer

One of the hardest parts of a custom bike build is deciding when it’s done. This same problem applies to...
PinBMW R9T cafe racer
BMW Cafe Racer

Number 52 – Bolt Motor Co. tackle the BMW R Nine T

Building 50 custom motorcycles is no mean feat. Adrián Campos and the crew at the Valencia workshop of Bolt Motor...
PinDiffers Moto BMW R100 R Cafe Racer
BMW Cafe Racer

3 Key Ingredients: Differs Moto BMW R100 R Resto-Mod

At first glance, you could be forgiven for assuming this custom motorcycle is based on a model from BMW Motorrad’s...
PinWalzWerks Schizzo Monza BMW R100
BMW Cafe Racer

The Monza – WalzWerk Schizzo BMW R100 Monolever

It makes perfect sense that one of the world’s top custom BMW motorcycle builders is based in Germany. Under the...
PinThe Suited Racer interview
BMW Cafe Racer

The Butler: BMW R100 Cafe Racer by The Suited Racer

Located in New York City, The Suited Racer considers himself a ‘living piece of conceptual art’. The multidisciplinary artist creates...
PinCherry's Company Midnight Dancer BMW HP2 Sport
BMW Cafe Racer

Midnight Dancer: Cherry’s Company BMW HP2 SPORT

If you’re into custom motorcycles (which I will assume you are since you’re here) the name Kaichiroh Kurosu and his...
PinUnikat BMW K1100 cafe racer
Bike of the DayBMW Cafe Racer

Bike Of The Day: Unikat BMW K1100LT

The BMW K1100LT motorcycle, despite being heavy and expensive, had a powerful engine and high-quality components, making it a popular...
Pin
Bike of the DayBMW Cafe Racer

Bike Of The Day: Custom 1981 BMW R100RT Cafe Racer

Bill Costello crafted this custom café racer out of a 1981 BMW R100RT, intending to create a sleek urban ride...
Pin
Bike of the DayBMW Cafe Racer

Bike Of The Day: BMW K1100 “Flying Brick” Cafe Racer By Kustom Moto

The Kustom Moto team has transformed this 1992 BMW K1100 into a modern cafe racer, complete with a powerful 100+...
Pin
Bike of the DayBMW Cafe Racer

Bike Of The Day: BMW R Nine T Racer

BMW made a cardinal sin when they created the cafe racer variation of the R Nine T. They down-graded its...
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Est. 2006 Return of the Cafe Racers is the world's premier cafe racer focused website. We publish regular features on custom motorcycle builds, riding gear reviews, how to guides and event coverage from around the globe. If you're a fan of cafe racer motorcycles and style then you've come to the right place!

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