Customer requests and customer needs are two very different things. UK’s Sinroja Motorcycles are always happy to oblige with customer...
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 BMW, which belongs to a friend of Weston, was originally introduced into the family by his ‘Uncle Lou’ and...
Custom bikes often opt for a shock and awe approach to make an impact in this modern, social media-saturated world....
Cognito Moto, based in Richmond, Virginia, revamped a 1971 BMW R75/5 into a striking “brat tracker.” The motorcycle showcases a...
Back in 2012 four like-minded friends decided enough was enough. Driven by their desire to build and ride custom bikes...
The bike you see here is a fully restored BMW motorcycle from the 1970s, converted into a café racer. It...
More and more motorcycle workshops are utilising advanced manufacturing technologies to realise their custom creations. 10 years ago three-dimensional computer-aided...
Repeat customers are the bread and butter of every business. Unfortunately, for some businesses, such as custom motorcycle builders, most...
Years later I managed to scrape together enough to buy my first road bike, get my license sorted and I...
What better way to celebrate a motorcycle workshop’s 10 year anniversary than with a build that showcases everything they’re capable...
When it debuted, the BMW K1 was Marmite for motorcyclists. They either loved it or hated it. The radical sports...
Upcycle Garage designed and built two cafe racers, and this custom BMW motorcycle is one of them. It was originally...
Introducing the remarkable BMW R Nine T Sport Custom, a unique motorcycle that underwent an extensive two-year transformation, requiring substantial...
Working with clients can be both challenging and rewarding. When Ønix Design’s latest customer, a doctor from Valencia, brought his...
Every so often a custom motorcycle appears in my inbox that is so unique it stops me in my tracks....
If you’re considering attempting to turn any kind of tourer into a cafe racer you’re going to have your work...
The Bavarian Cafe of Costa Mesa, California, undertook a cafe racer-style modification of this 1983 BMW R100 around 2013. The...
As BMW Motorrad put it, the R9T Racer is “Style in the fast lane.” It’s a fitting statement for this...
There’s no denying that classic BMW motorcycles make great looking Cafe Racers, but if you’re looking to build a modern...
Building one-off projects for individual customers has its benefits, but it isn’t the most reliable income model for a custom...
Back in 2013 BMW Motorrad celebrated the 40th anniversary of the legendary BMW R 90 S with the unveiling of...
The Eleven by Kevil’s Speed Shop in the UK. One of the latest BMW Cafe Racers to roll out of...
“We had never transformed a bike with such complex technology before!” Along with having to deal with the bikes modern...
When he’s not fabricating parts for submarines (Yes, you read that right) David Manchester is building bespoke furniture or helping...
37-year-old Degano developed an interest in BMWs from a young age. His father was a member of the French police...
This 1982 BMW R100RT has been customized in the cafe racer style. The fuel tank, front fender, and custom fiberglass...
Florida’s Nmoto Studio blew us away with their stunning R7 inspired kit for the BMW R Nine T. BMW Motorrad’s...
Here’s a little something to get you through another night glued to the couch. Our latest instalment of the Sunday...
In our opinion there’s nothing better than when a talented photographer turns his camera’s attention to classic motorbikes. These shots...
Unless you’re buying a Harley-Davidson most dealerships don’t offer much in the way of customisation at the time of sale....
Experiences from our youth can have a profound effect on what we do later in life. For Jean-Pierre, it was...
The latest instalment of the Batman movie series directed by Matt Reeves is due to hit US cinema screens in...
In 2016, C&J Motorrad of Victoria, Minnesota, transformed this 1983 BMW R80ST into a scrambler masterpiece. The modification involved adjusting...
“As the story goes my first word was ‘car’ rather than ‘mummy’. I’m not so sure whether this is the...
The 1978 BMW R80/7 showcases a polished fuel tank complementing its black frame. It is equipped with a 797cc boxer...
This BMW R100 has been transformed by Kevil’s Speed Shop, a Torquay-based motorcycle tuning house and cafe racer specialist. The...
The cafe racer in BMW’s R nineT heritage series won hearts with its sleek styling. However, motorcycle journalists brought a...
Jeffry Sol’s BMW R nineT has been somewhat of a social media sensation since it was unveiled at the Big...
Upcycle Garage created a unique BMW motorcycle, which is one of two cafe racers built by them. The bike, originally...
This is a 1993 BMW R100R that was customized by Plam Werks in North Carolina. It has a metallic blue...
Why let a little Snow stop you from getting out on your motorcycle? Here’s Blitz motorcycles solution to your winter blues....
Hugo Eccles and the Untitled Motorcycles team are capable of building pretty much whatever they can dream up. Their custom...
Back in 2017, French builder Ortolani Customs wowed us with his metalworking prowess. His polished Ducati 1199 S earned him...
This lovely BMW R 100 named the “Earl Grey” is currently up for sale through Urban Moto in Germany for...
Building 50 custom motorcycles is no mean feat. Adrián Campos and the crew at the Valencia workshop of Bolt Motor...
Not all custom builds have to completely transform a motorcycle to catch our attention. Fresh on the heels of BMW...
After the success of his first custom bike series, Fran Manen of Lord Drake Kustoms knew he was on to...
Remember in school when you had an exam and there was always that one kid who consistently finished before everyone...
Adrián Campos and the team at Valencia’s Bolt Motor Co. are set to finish their 50th build sometime during 2021....
I’ve seen enough BMW cafe racer builds to last a lifetime. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to see any...
I can confidently say this is the first time I’ve featured a custom motorcycle that was influenced by Keira Knightley. Jeremy at...
Last month Deus Ex Machina in Camperdown, Sydney unveiled their stunning R Nine T Cafe Racer, the ‘Henirich Maneuver’. Unfortunately...
The Digimoto project was a collaboration between industrial designer Christian Zanzotti, product development agency Greydev and BMW aftermarket experts Wunderlich....
Daniel Delfour, an experienced violin maker, decided to channel his artistic sensibility into crafting a truly extraordinary motorcycle. Combining a...
The fine vólk at BMW Motorrad have a motorcycle for every occasion – just meander into a dealership and look...
Some people profess to being obsessed by a brand because they own 2 or 3 things said brand has made....
This BMW R100R underwent an extensive modification process to enhance its performance and aesthetics. The modifications included refinishing the wire-spoke...
Looking back over the last 11 years of running this website the thing I’ve enjoyed the most is seeing workshops...
In 2018, Federal Moto of Chicago crafted this 1980 BMW R100/7, undertaking various modifications. Their work included the creation of...
Imagine this scenario: A bike magazine hands you a box-fresh 1978 BMW R100RS and the concept rendering for a fantastic,...
Building custom motorcycles is all about solving problems. This could be working around a modern electrical system, extracting additional horsepower...
A custom-built and stunning cafe racer based on a 1986 BMW R65. Source: Iconic Auctioneers ...
The BMW K1100LT motorcycle, despite being heavy and expensive, had a powerful engine and high-quality components, making it a popular...
Jérémie, the owner of the French workshop Jerem-Motorcycles, has only been building motorcycles for 3 years part-time. Still, he somehow...
BMW struck a chord in the custom motorcycle scene when they released the R Nine T. Powered by a bulletproof...
Sinroja Motorcycles is run by brothers Rahul and Birju. This bike was only the third build to roll out of...
I love a good concept bike. An open brief and an aim to push the boundaries, breach new territory and...
Could a motorcycle be any more beautiful? This is a fully restored 1934 BMW R7 and it’s the only one...
Bill Costello crafted this custom café racer out of a 1981 BMW R100RT, intending to create a sleek urban ride...
This 1977 BMW R75/7 was transformed into a cafe racer, featuring modifications such as a carbon-fiber cafe-style bump seat and...
Located in New York City, The Suited Racer considers himself a ‘living piece of conceptual art’. The multidisciplinary artist creates...
“A Scottish businessman reached out to us after seeing our bikes. He asked us to customise his own brand new...
The Retro Rebuilds workshop in Rockford, Michigan transformed a 1987 BMW K100LT motorcycle into a stylish cafe racer. The bike...
This K100RT is a delightful illustration of a sport touring motorcycle from the 1980s, with several modifications typical of a...
“This project kicked off with a stock 1982 BMW R45 that had laid dormant in our client’s garage for almost...
BMW’s stalwart R100 was offered in various guises from 1976 to 1996. The 980cc boxer twins made adequate power, had...
The bar has definitely been raised in the custom motorcycle scene. If you’re planning on impressing anyone a bolt-on seat,...
Nostalgia can be a powerful motivator. For Joe Loss of Fremantle, Western Australia it started in his teenage years when...
This 1985 BMW R80 underwent modifications, including refinishing the fuel tank and frame in black, fitting a shortened rear subframe...
For more than a decade I’ve stayed true to this websites cafe racer theme. I can assure you this was...
If you’re into custom motorcycles (which I will assume you are since you’re here) the name Kaichiroh Kurosu and his...
Don’t get me wrong, the BMW thumper is a great utilitarian machine. The reliability of the simple 650cc Rotax engine...
This 1981 BMW R100RT underwent modifications, including rebuilding the air-cooled 980cc opposed twin and installing a custom quarter fairing, electrical...
This great video featuring musician/songwriter/producer Butch Walker was pulled together by Mann-made Pictures for Cafe Racer TV. Butch talks about...
After a 70mph spill this BMW Boxer was in no state to be ridden. The bikes wheels, forks and engine...
Twin Shock Division (TSD) Motorcycles is a tiny shop located in the Ukranian capital of Kiev. Headed by the talented...
The bike started out as a fully faired stock ’95 BMW R100 that Junior agreed to customise for his newly...
Europe’s largest Cafe Racer event, the Glemseck 101, just took place in Stuttgart, Germany. Now in its 5th year, the...
The Interceptor may be an unexpected development from Radical Ducati, but it certainly isn’t a disappointment. They’ve created a high...
Trust is one of the biggest hurdles for any business. But once it is achieved, success will follow. After amassing...
From building show cars to display at the hallowed halls of the Las Vegas Sema show to tinkering on Honda...
Perth’s Kaylan Galloway is a guy who likes to do things the hard way. Probably because he can. A welder...
One of the hardest parts of a custom bike build is deciding when it’s done. This same problem applies to...
Of all the bike reviews I’ve done, handing the keys back for the BMW R Nine T has been the...
“We are first and foremost designers, we don’t consider ourselves as ‘builders’ or mechanics. We customize and have enough contacts...
“All men’s misfortunes spring from their hatred of being alone“ The sad individual responsible for that quote obviously never had...
Building 2 identical motorcycles probably wouldn’t sound all that appealing to most builders. But for Antoine Meister who runs the...
BMW made a cardinal sin when they created the cafe racer variation of the R Nine T. They down-graded its...
It’s the start of yet another working week. What better way to get through the day than by drooling over...
