More and more motorcycle workshops are utilising advanced manufacturing technologies to realise their custom creations. 10 years ago three-dimensional computer-aided...
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.
The Digimoto project was a collaboration between industrial designer Christian Zanzotti, product development agency Greydev and BMW aftermarket experts Wunderlich....
The 2012 Bonneville Speed Week is wrapping up for another year. Thankfully it looks like we’ll be seeing a lot...
Cognito Moto, based in Richmond, Virginia, revamped a 1971 BMW R75/5 into a striking “brat tracker.” The motorcycle showcases a...
Kyohey Sugimoto, owner of Berrybads Motorcycles works out of a modest space in Ōtsu, the capital of Japan’s Shiga Prefecture....
As Mark Twain so eloquently put it “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work...
I’ve seen enough BMW cafe racer builds to last a lifetime. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to see any...
Zweiradwerke is a BMW Motorrad authorized dealership and moto cafe in the Bavarian city of Rosenheim. Their headquarters offers a...
Of all the boxers the BMW R75/5 models with the “toaster” tank are a firm favourite. They are less angular...
Why let a little Snow stop you from getting out on your motorcycle? Here’s Blitz motorcycles solution to your winter blues....
Christian Boosen runs 86 Gear Motorcycles, a custom motorcycle shop in Warsaw, Poland. Growing up alongside the Dutch border in...
Building one-off projects for individual customers has its benefits, but it isn’t the most reliable income model for a custom...
The BMW K1100LT motorcycle, despite being heavy and expensive, had a powerful engine and high-quality components, making it a popular...
According to Mark Condon of BikeBiz “Our team really know their bikes, so depending on the customer we can give...
The latest instalment of the Batman movie series directed by Matt Reeves is due to hit US cinema screens in...
This lovely BMW R 100 named the “Earl Grey” is currently up for sale through Urban Moto in Germany for...
I am Nigel Petrie from Engineered To Slide and I want to share with you my new BMW R Nine...
One of the most iconic automotive enthusiasts in the comic book universe is playboy, philanthropist, and industrialist Bruce Wayne. On...
The transformation of this 1984 BMW K100RT into a cafe racer was a meticulous five-month project. The bike now exudes...
“All men’s misfortunes spring from their hatred of being alone“ The sad individual responsible for that quote obviously never had...
High in the northeastern reaches of Italy, you’ll find the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Bordered by Slovenia and Austria it’s...
A few years ago, James would hear his neighbor start up his old BMW, and after numerous conversations, he was...
Well, that wraps up yet another year of amazing cafe racer builds from custom workshops and backyard builders around the...
Last weekend we officially released issue 7 of Tank Moto. Packed with awesome motorcycle features from around the world this...
The Bavarian Cafe of Costa Mesa, California, undertook a cafe racer-style modification of this 1983 BMW R100 around 2013. The...
40 years later the bike is still running (see video below) and still features the original racing seal of the Italian...
Everyone has their favorite things in life but only a few of us get to enjoy a career working with them....
Building custom motorcycles is all about solving problems. This could be working around a modern electrical system, extracting additional horsepower...
Two motorcycle obsessed friends building bikes for a living. It sounds like the perfect life to be living. This is...
New York City is arguably the planets most influential style and culture mecca. Whatever you’re into you’re sure to find...
Some people profess to being obsessed by a brand because they own 2 or 3 things said brand has made....
It’s not every day you find yourself handing out an award at one of the world’s most prestigious custom automotive...
Upcycle Garage designed and built two cafe racers, and this custom BMW motorcycle is one of them. It was originally...
The bike you see here is a fully restored BMW motorcycle from the 1970s, converted into a café racer. It...
Last year I had the pleasure of attending the Mooneyes show in Japan. The builder that took out best of show...
This 1978 BMW R100S underwent a scrambler-style customization, showcasing various enhancements. The replacement tank has been skillfully repainted in a...
I love a good concept bike. An open brief and an aim to push the boundaries, breach new territory and...
The custom motorcycle world has been full of collaborations in the past few years. Manufacturers have recognised the influence custom...
Of all the bike reviews I’ve done, handing the keys back for the BMW R Nine T has been the...
The owner of the BMW came to the OSE workshop in search of a cafe racer conversion for his 2016...
It’s been a couple of years since I first featured one of Kevin Hills custom builds. Since then under his...
On the dawn of a new year there’s plenty to get excited about. You’ve got another year of riding adventures...
Introducing the BMW K1100, a remarkable cafe racer-style motorcycle that pays homage to the legendary Bavarian ‘Flying Brick’. This particular...
Looking back over the last 11 years of running this website the thing I’ve enjoyed the most is seeing workshops...
Imagine this scenario: A bike magazine hands you a box-fresh 1978 BMW R100RS and the concept rendering for a fantastic,...
Last week we featured a very tidy BMW K1100 LT cafe racer by Anthony LoGalbo of New York based workshop...
Established in 2002 the K-Speed business is spread over 12 stores around Thailand with its head quarters in Bangkok. Eak...
The majority of the weight dropped from the Saline R9T can be attributed to the use of aluminium. Saline’s new tail,...
I once said that the 1934 BMW R7 was one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever made, and I still...
Don’t get me wrong, the BMW thumper is a great utilitarian machine. The reliability of the simple 650cc Rotax engine...
Sometimes it’s a single detail that defines a build. Just one modification or handmade part that takes a custom motorcycle...
Located in New York City, The Suited Racer considers himself a ‘living piece of conceptual art’. The multidisciplinary artist creates...
Giorgio De Angelis of ‘De Angelis Elaborazioni’ prides himself in turning old BMWs into performance focused customs. Throughout his childhood,...
The BMW R nineT, part of BMW’s Heritage line, is a classically styled café racer that seamlessly combines vintage and...
Building 50 custom motorcycles is no mean feat. Adrián Campos and the crew at the Valencia workshop of Bolt Motor...
Taking on the restoration of a 1986 BMW K100, the builder dove into the project right after finishing another motorcycle....
Building 2 identical motorcycles probably wouldn’t sound all that appealing to most builders. But for Antoine Meister who runs the...
Trust is one of the biggest hurdles for any business. But once it is achieved, success will follow. After amassing...
We have a serious soft spot for BMW cafe racers but we’re also big fans of Scrambler styled Beemers. There’s...
Customer requests and customer needs are two very different things. UK’s Sinroja Motorcycles are always happy to oblige with customer...
There’s no denying that Guzzis and BWMs have the biggest, bulkiest looking engines of all the motorcycle manufacturers (not to...
This 1982 BMW R100RT has been customized in the cafe racer style. The fuel tank, front fender, and custom fiberglass...
The 1978 BMW R80/7 showcases a polished fuel tank complementing its black frame. It is equipped with a 797cc boxer...
The quality of the home built Cafe Racers being submitted by our readers continues to astound us. This exceptional bike...
Who can resist the beauty of BMW’s boxer engine? Their unorthodox horizontal head configuration and shaft drive has always intrigued...
Back in 2013 BMW Motorrad celebrated the 40th anniversary of the legendary BMW R 90 S with the unveiling of...
For many years the United States was the biggest source of inspiration for custom motorcycle builders around the world. Then...
Daniel Delfour, an experienced violin maker, decided to channel his artistic sensibility into crafting a truly extraordinary motorcycle. Combining a...
If you’re customising motorcycles in Bavaria it seems only right said motorcycles should be those built by BMW Motorrad. Ralf...
Building a custom motorcycle means owning a one-of-a-kind machine. A unique, personal expression that merges your individual style with performance...
Europe’s largest Cafe Racer event, the Glemseck 101, just took place in Stuttgart, Germany. Now in its 5th year, the...
The Eleven by Kevil’s Speed Shop in the UK. One of the latest BMW Cafe Racers to roll out of...
Repeat customers are the bread and butter of every business. Unfortunately, for some businesses, such as custom motorcycle builders, most...
One of the hardest parts of a custom bike build is deciding when it’s done. This same problem applies to...
The Katze is finally out of the Tasche. BMW Motorrad has unveiled its highly anticipated R18 concept. As we all...
Jérémie, the owner of the French workshop Jerem-Motorcycles, has only been building motorcycles for 3 years part-time. Still, he somehow...
Back in 2017, French builder Ortolani Customs wowed us with his metalworking prowess. His polished Ducati 1199 S earned him...
It all began when Hieronymus spotted an MC club member’s BMW boxer parked on a sidewalk in Paris. Sitting in...
This 1981 BMW R100RT underwent modifications, including rebuilding the air-cooled 980cc opposed twin and installing a custom quarter fairing, electrical...
Ok I know it’s getting ridiculous now. Yet another BMW based Cafe Racer. This is the last one for...
Lord Drake Kustoms, a motorcycle customization workshop in Malaga, transformed a 1984 BMW R65 into a cafe racer style for...
Experiences from our youth can have a profound effect on what we do later in life. For Jean-Pierre, it was...
Tank Machine was established by Clement Molina back in 2015 following his 18 years of experience working in the motorcycle...
This 1975 BMW R75/6 underwent a three-year transformation into a cafe racer. The bike is finished in metallic silver with...
This 1983 BMW R80ST has undergone a series of modifications to enhance its performance and aesthetics. It now boasts an...
As 2014 comes to an end I thought I’d take a (close up) look at some of the incredible work...
Stumbled across this 1961 BMW R69s Cafe Racer named “The Bull” today. It’s a strange combination of parts but it...
Austria’s NCT Motorcycles are this week’s ‘talk of the town’ with 3 of their awesome builds appearing on custom motorcycle...
As BMW Motorrad put it, the R9T Racer is “Style in the fast lane.” It’s a fitting statement for this...
I’ve never had the urge to eat a motorcycle before but this latest build from Jerikan looks delicious. For some...
Adrián Campos and the team at Valencia’s Bolt Motor Co. are set to finish their 50th build sometime during 2021....
The Interceptor may be an unexpected development from Radical Ducati, but it certainly isn’t a disappointment. They’ve created a high...
During its impressive 20-year run, there were 81 different model variations of the BMW R100. The iconic boxer has been...
Introducing the remarkable BMW R Nine T Sport Custom, a unique motorcycle that underwent an extensive two-year transformation, requiring substantial...
After months of hard work and seemingly endless nights of writing, issue 2 of Tank Moto is ! Just like...
I recently became acquainted with Maximiliaan van Kuyk of Maverick motorcycles. Max and his brothers stumbled into the Cafe Racer...
The Johnnie Wash R Nine T series features 3 different models of which the Brown is the most extensively modified....
It makes perfect sense that one of the world’s top custom BMW motorcycle builders is based in Germany. Under the...
