BMW Cafe Racer

BMW Cafe Racer Motorcycle

Introduction

Old BMWs are among the most popular motorcycles to make a BMW cafe racer .
The particularity that makes the success of these models is the boxer type engine called ” airhead “. A unique style, behavior and sound.

Another popular feature on the BMW R series is the fact that the subframe is bolted. This makes loop modification simpler and reversible.

In addition to these particularities, the Bavarian brand relies on a good reputation , its reliability and its quality .

Building on their success, the BMW R60 , R75 , R80 , R90 and R100 are increasingly rare and therefore, therefore, more expensive to purchase.

This is why we have seen the development of BMW cafe racer preparations based on the K series for a few years. The K series uses a 4-cylinder flat engine. An atypical architecture that gives charm to the preparations. We will see it later.

More recently we’ve seen the rise of modern preparations based on the BMW R nine-T, which was designed to be easily customised, with a bolt-on subframe and modular electrical system.

Here you will find our selection of BMW cafe racer motorcycles in chronological order of BMW MOTORRAD models.

Initially, the BMW preparations based on the BMW R75 , R80 and R100 , then on the BMW K75 and K100 , the K1100 and finally the R Nine-T , the latest from BMW .

To make a brief reminder, we recognize a BMW cafra thanks to the following elements (among others):

• Strap handlebars

• A fork head (front body)

• A single seat shell saddle

• Rearsets

These are the basic elements to race a motorcycle into a bmw cafe racer .

Preparations on BMW R series

The R series appeared in 1932 with the R32. BMW launched several variants and models in this series.
In 1969, the R75/5 was launched with a 50 horsepower 745cc boxer engine.
BMW cafe racer motorcycle tuners are fond of bmw from this model.

The last model with this same engine architecture as the R75/5 is the BMW R 80 GS basic released in 1996.

What longevity!

We have selected several cafe racer bmw r100 , a BMW r80 cafe racer and a BMW r65 cafe racer .

bmw r100 cafe racer

The R100 has the biggest engine of the R series of these 80s. The 980cc flat twin develops 60 horsepower .

The R100 was declined in several versions, the RT, GS, CS, S and the RS.

We start with a 1981 BMW R100RT made by the Spanish tuner Bolt Motor Co.

A lot of work has been done on this preparation, the highlights of this preparation are the matte red color and the exhaust line coming out under the saddle.

WALWERK , A preparer and even manufacturer whose reputation is second to none in the world of BMW preparation.

They recently presented the WalzWerk® Motorcycle Nr. 1000, the thousandth preparation they have made. Hat.

It is equipped with their pieces that they offer for sale on their shop.
The important point of this preparation is the fact of having changed the legendary BMW tank (present on the majority of Cafras on the R series).

Let’s now go to Lithuania with the DIFFERS tuner and a 1992 BMW R 100 R.

The list of modifications is incredibly long and the result is breathtaking .

The little detail that we like about this preparation is the realization of the frame / buckle that defines the line of the bike .
This frame follows the tank and the saddle. Without her beautiful black boxers and her carding transmission, it would be difficult to recognize her.

bmw r80 cafe racer

What a beautiful neat line for this R80 made by Diamond Atelier

This German workshop is not at their test of preparations on the bike which comes from a few kilometers from their workshop in Bavaria.

We love the elegance of the line, the combination of the tank and the single-shell saddle. As well as the optics, oval, very modern.

You can find all their preparations on their instagram .

bmw r65 cafe racer

The BMW R65 began its career in 1978. It is equipped with a 650cc boxer engine developing 45 horsepower .
In 1985, the new version of the R65 switched to a single shock .

It is this version that the tuner French Moto (formerly French Monkey) used for the preparation made for the youtuber Julien Fabro .

Very nice photos and videos in Lyon. We like the cut of the saddle with the LED strip integrated into the buckle.

bmw r75 cafe racer

Here are the Americans from COGNITO MOTO , already featured on our blog.

This preparation is in the same spirit as the previous one, the preparation is more advanced. The installation of an inverted GSX-R 600 fork contributes to the improvement and embellishment of this 1972 R75/5 .

We also like the spoke rims , they give a radiance to this BMW.

The engine has also been revised and has been increased to 1000cc thanks to the Siebenrock big bore kit .

Cognito Moto has produced a series of 12 videos presenting the preparation from A to Z, it’s here: R75 CR 2.0

Parts available for R series on REMMOTORCYCLE

In addition to the universal parts that can be installed on the BMW R series such as indicators, lights, master cylinders, switchgear etc…
Remmotorcycle offers parts suitable for the BMW R series :

Preparations based on BMW K series

The K series started in 1983 with the K100 . This is the revolution for BMW Motorrad , finished motorcycles exceeded by the Japanese. The K100 lands a longitudinal inline four-cylinder and the ” Compact Drive System ” technology which has grouped the entire powertrain with the engine, the gearbox bolted directly to the engine and the proven single swingarm with integrated driveshaft .

The K100 ‘s 987cc engine develops 90 horsepower . It will even go up to 100 horsepower once the 4-valve technology is integrated.

Several variants will be offered in the manner of the R series such as the RS, the RT and the LT.

The BMW K100 was accompanied in 1985 by its little sister, the K75 . This one is equipped with a 740cc developing 75 horsepower .

The continuation of the K series arrives in 1991 with K1100 having a 1092cc developing 100 horsepower .

Finally, the last BMW K series is the K1200 released in 1996. It has a 1171cc engine that goes up to 130 horsepower .

In the K series, note the presence of the incredible BMW K1 , a UFO in the pure style of the 80s.

bmw k75 cafe racer

The K75 is not the easiest motorcycle to work with due to its architecture. But the most daring preparers make nuggets when it comes to style.

This is the case of MotoCrew with this preparation on a 1985 K75 .

The shape of the motorcycle and especially of the tank makes it possible to have a modern caferacer .

We like the installed subframe that draws the line and wraps around the saddle.

k100 cafe racer

We pass on the K100 , called the “brick” (“brick” in English) by its shape.

There are plenty of very nice preparations on this basis. The general trend (which gives a lot of cachet to these preparations) is to install a horizontal shock absorber at the rear, a specific aluminum subframe , an inverted fork and spoked rims .

This is what we will find on the preparations that we have selected:

The first is the realization of an individual and it was shared on the cafe4racer blog in the colors of BMW Motorsport .

All of the changes make it very modern.

A new K100 with a common DNA to the previous one:

Here is a Brazilian preparation made by the preparer Retrorides

They are at the origin of the rear mono-shock absorber system that we find a lot on the prepared K100s .

We like the use of a traditional handlebar which breaks the modern dynamics of the bike.

We now move on to the K101 Gatermann made by the artist Fabian Gatermann .

The transformation is less extreme on this preparation but the rendering is very clean.

Preparations on more recent BMW

K1100 cafe racer

We start with this incredible work on this K100 made by Mitch Witkamp :

We start with this incredible work on thismade by

The exhaust line is simply amazing .

The work on the aluminum and the light effects are very original.

Another cafra on Powerbrick RS variant that we love:

Powerbrick ‘s very edgy K1100 cafra, how beautiful is it.

‘Birck’ is in reference to the nickname of the K series.

bmw nine t cafe racer

Arrived in 2014, the R NineT is a pure BMW product in its philosophy with a retro style and which is intended for preparers and customization enthusiasts as a “blank canvas for customization” (according to BMW marketing).

On this mount, there is a flat engine resembling the Airhead (twin cylinder air / oil cooled), an inverted fork, a mono rear shock absorber, and a removable subframe.

The engine develops 109 horsepower at 7250 rpm .

Riding the neo-retro wave of the 2010s, BMW offers this model in Racer version and several other versions.

But it’s not the stock motorcycles that interest us here.

Here is the proposal of Hookie , a trainer who was doing great preparations before making small electric motorcycles and lunar vehicles…

They offered a kit for this RNine-T to make it an even nicer mount.
On the program, a new sub-chassis for a new horizontal line, a special aluminum tank , a 3d print shell on top, a saddle and a shell to affirm the coursified side.

The colors also add sportiness to this bike. The HOOKIE Cobra is a great success.

Conclusion

After reviewing the BMW cafe racer from the 70s to today, are you won over by their style?

Are you going to carry out your cafra project on an old one? A youngtimer or a recent one?

Among the selection we have made, which is your favorite prepared BMW?

Biker, Rémi

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