BMW k100 Cafe Racer By Retrorides – Iron & Air

The original tank had a distorted bottom line, designed to accommodate the radiator. It looks reasonable when all the OEM bodywork is in place, but as soon as you remove anything, it resembles an isolated jigsaw piece.

“The ‘naked’ K100 had a small ‘radiator protector’ next to the gas tank,” says Gustavo, “so we started the project from this part. The most difficult task was to transform this piece into something to be admired, in the café racer style.”

After hours of design and several discarded models, Retrorides hit on the solution: a flush-fitting panel with a grill that complements the other lines of the tank.

After modeling the part in 3D, Retrorides manufactured it on their 3D printer using carbon fiber, with the grille machined out of billet aluminum. It’s one of the neatest solutions we’ve seen, and instantly transforms the looks of this BMW k100 cafe racer.