When we start a project, we first want to hear about the clients’ wishes and transformation ideas. It is a great opportunity for us to get to know our client and enables us to visualize what his dream bike would look like.
For this project, the client came with a BMW R80rt from 1986 that wasn’t in really good shape. The bike stayed most of the time in a garage and has not been ridden for several months or even years. He wanted to give it a second life.
The briefing was not exhaustive but the client insisted that he likes materials that have been worked by hand, which tends rather to a retro look. He also specified he wanted a custom bike like no other, and that the seat had to be brown color.
After a few meetings, thinking and sharing ideas we got into the vibe of his dream bike and we knew the exact outlook of how the bike should look like. This is an amazing feeling you know when you see you went beyond your client’s expectations and ideas. After that, we just know we have to make this a dream come true.
Regarding the modifications, we wanted to play with the general line of the bike, so we decided to change the alignment of the original tank and align/shorten the rear part of the frame. We cut and welded a shorter sub-frame and replaced the original huge saddle by a custom seat base that we then sewed by our workshop. For the design and creation of our sub-frame and saddle, we had as an idea to build support between the seat and sub-frame that would give the impression that the saddle flies because this motorcycle really inspired freedom of riding to us.
Indicator
The difficulty here was to integrate the indicator lights and taillights within the sub-frame, but we managed to do so. Then we went looking for the color combination between the gas tank, brown seat, engine, and frame. As the client required it, it was important to build a completely new bike but that still looks retro, so we managed to skate saddle as well as the engine, use black satin color for the frame, but also give a worn appearance to the new exhausts so the motorcycle doesn’t look too modern.
Replacing the handlebar also helped work on the line of the bike. All the electronics components have been replaced by new and more minimalist elements (indicator lights, taillights, speedometer, lithium battery)
We love this kind of project and relationship with the customers, to take their ideas into account and try to achieve their dream motorcycle, all this happening in the workshop around the bike without going through Photoshop. It’s really about this kind of experience / co-creation project that we want to evolve and bring our customers to, discussing details, sharing what we do, make them come to the workshop to live the project together, not just buying a product, but live an experience together and build the motorcycle of their dream.