Is there such a thing as a factory built cafe racer? If you ask a purist they’ll tell you no...
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.
At first glance, you could be forgiven for assuming this custom motorcycle is based on a model from BMW Motorrad’s...
A few years ago, James would hear his neighbor start up his old BMW, and after numerous conversations, he was...
After a 2 year hiatus, the Munich-based custom motorcycle powerhouse Diamond Atelier is back. Despite big changes in the company’s...
The majority of the weight dropped from the Saline R9T can be attributed to the use of aluminium. Saline’s new tail,...
Imagine this scenario: A bike magazine hands you a box-fresh 1978 BMW R100RS and the concept rendering for a fantastic,...
For many years the United States was the biggest source of inspiration for custom motorcycle builders around the world. Then...
“We are first and foremost designers, we don’t consider ourselves as ‘builders’ or mechanics. We customize and have enough contacts...
Ok I know it’s getting ridiculous now. Yet another BMW based Cafe Racer. This is the last one for...
Christian Boosen runs 86 Gear Motorcycles, a custom motorcycle shop in Warsaw, Poland. Growing up alongside the Dutch border in...
Some people profess to being obsessed by a brand because they own 2 or 3 things said brand has made....
The bike started out as a fully faired stock ’95 BMW R100 that Junior agreed to customise for his newly...
Perth’s Kaylan Galloway is a guy who likes to do things the hard way. Probably because he can. A welder...
Daniel Delfour, an experienced violin maker, decided to channel his artistic sensibility into crafting a truly extraordinary motorcycle. Combining a...
Cognito Moto, based in Richmond, Virginia, revamped a 1971 BMW R75/5 into a striking “brat tracker.” The motorcycle showcases a...
The bike you see here is a fully restored BMW motorcycle from the 1970s, converted into a café racer. It...
This 1975 BMW R75/6 underwent a three-year transformation into a cafe racer. The bike is finished in metallic silver with...
This 1977 BMW R75/7 was transformed into a cafe racer, featuring modifications such as a carbon-fiber cafe-style bump seat and...
This 1978 BMW R100S underwent a scrambler-style customization, showcasing various enhancements. The replacement tank has been skillfully repainted in a...
The 1978 BMW R80/7 showcases a polished fuel tank complementing its black frame. It is equipped with a 797cc boxer...
In 2018, Federal Moto of Chicago crafted this 1980 BMW R100/7, undertaking various modifications. Their work included the creation of...
This 1981 BMW R100RT underwent modifications, including rebuilding the air-cooled 980cc opposed twin and installing a custom quarter fairing, electrical...
This 1982 BMW R100RT has been customized in the cafe racer style. The fuel tank, front fender, and custom fiberglass...
The Bavarian Cafe of Costa Mesa, California, undertook a cafe racer-style modification of this 1983 BMW R100 around 2013. The...
This 1983 BMW R100 was transformed into a cafe racer by Untitled Motorcycles in San Francisco, California. Throughout the process,...
This 1983 BMW R80ST has undergone a series of modifications to enhance its performance and aesthetics. It now boasts an...
In 2016, C&J Motorrad of Victoria, Minnesota, transformed this 1983 BMW R80ST into a scrambler masterpiece. The modification involved adjusting...
The transformation of this 1984 BMW K100RT into a cafe racer was a meticulous five-month project. The bike now exudes...
This BMW R100 has been transformed by Kevil’s Speed Shop, a Torquay-based motorcycle tuning house and cafe racer specialist. The...
This K100RT is a delightful illustration of a sport touring motorcycle from the 1980s, with several modifications typical of a...
This 1985 BMW R80 underwent modifications, including refinishing the fuel tank and frame in black, fitting a shortened rear subframe...
A custom-built and stunning cafe racer based on a 1986 BMW R65. Source: Iconic Auctioneers ...
The Retro Rebuilds workshop in Rockford, Michigan transformed a 1987 BMW K100LT motorcycle into a stylish cafe racer. The bike...
This customized motorcycle was created by The Old Boys Motorcycle Workshop using a standard K75 that had been left unused...
Introducing the BMW K1100, a remarkable cafe racer-style motorcycle that pays homage to the legendary Bavarian ‘Flying Brick’. This particular...
Introducing the remarkable BMW R Nine T Sport Custom, a unique motorcycle that underwent an extensive two-year transformation, requiring substantial...
This BMW R Nine T is a retro-inspired sports bike that has been significantly customized to create the original ‘PC.02’...
This BMW R Nine T is a customized retro-inspired sportbike turned café racer. It is equipped with a 1,170cc air-cooled...
The BMW R nineT, part of BMW’s Heritage line, is a classically styled café racer that seamlessly combines vintage and...
The Kustom Moto team has transformed this 1992 BMW K1100 into a modern cafe racer, complete with a powerful 100+...
BMW made a cardinal sin when they created the cafe racer variation of the R Nine T. They down-graded its...
Upcycle Garage designed and built two cafe racers, and this custom BMW motorcycle is one of them. It was originally...
Lord Drake Kustoms, a motorcycle customization workshop in Malaga, transformed a 1984 BMW R65 into a cafe racer style for...
This 1978 BMW R80/7 was modified by Upcycle Motor Garage into a bobber and fitted it with military-spec Firestone tractor...
This is 1980 BMW R100 was modified by Boxer Metal in California, in the style of a drag bike. drag...
Bill Costello crafted this custom café racer out of a 1981 BMW R100RT, intending to create a sleek urban ride...
Plam Werks, located in Hendersonville, North Carolina, undertook the customization of this remarkable 1993 BMW R100R motorcycle. The bike underwent...
HellGate Moto in New York City has transformed this 1995 BMW K1100 into a stunning cafe racer. The bike features...
This BMW R100R underwent an extensive modification process to enhance its performance and aesthetics. The modifications included refinishing the wire-spoke...
Upcycle Garage created a unique BMW motorcycle, which is one of two cafe racers built by them. The bike, originally...
Florida’s Nmoto Studio blew us away with their stunning R7 inspired kit for the BMW R Nine T. BMW Motorrad’s...
This is a 1993 BMW R100R that was customized by Plam Werks in North Carolina. It has a metallic blue...
Sinroja Motorcycles is run by brothers Rahul and Birju. This bike was only the third build to roll out of...
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...
“This project kicked off with a stock 1982 BMW R45 that had laid dormant in our client’s garage for almost...
Why let a little Snow stop you from getting out on your motorcycle? Here’s Blitz motorcycles solution to your winter blues....
Custom bikes often opt for a shock and awe approach to make an impact in this modern, social media-saturated world....
It’s not every day you find yourself handing out an award at one of the world’s most prestigious custom automotive...
Customer requests and customer needs are two very different things. UK’s Sinroja Motorcycles are always happy to oblige with customer...
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....
Of all the bike reviews I’ve done, handing the keys back for the BMW R Nine T has been the...
Remember in school when you had an exam and there was always that one kid who consistently finished before everyone...
There’s no denying that classic BMW motorcycles make great looking Cafe Racers, but if you’re looking to build a modern...
The fine vólk at BMW Motorrad have a motorcycle for every occasion – just meander into a dealership and look...
“All men’s misfortunes spring from their hatred of being alone“ The sad individual responsible for that quote obviously never had...
I’ve never had the urge to eat a motorcycle before but this latest build from Jerikan looks delicious. For some...
This drastically customised BMW R80 is the brainchild of Oaky and JJ from Griffin Spares in Sydney. “Sometimes the best...
I’ve always loved the use of wood in cars. When I was young a neighbor converted an old ’30s Chevy into...
Who can resist the beauty of BMW’s boxer engine? Their unorthodox horizontal head configuration and shaft drive has always intrigued...
Hot on the heels of my recent post about Les Ateliers Ruby’s leather jackets UK based, custom workshop Kevil’s Speed Shop,...
You may remember the somewhat controversial Buell Norton Manx I featured a couple of months ago? Well it’s back and it’s...
Last month Deus Ex Machina in Camperdown, Sydney unveiled their stunning R Nine T Cafe Racer, the ‘Henirich Maneuver’. Unfortunately...
I love a good concept bike. An open brief and an aim to push the boundaries, breach new territory and...
“The most elaborate and beautiful K100 we have ever built” For this unique collaboration, VTR Customs ironically chose a...
The 2012 Bonneville Speed Week is wrapping up for another year. Thankfully it looks like we’ll be seeing a lot...
This great video featuring musician/songwriter/producer Butch Walker was pulled together by Mann-made Pictures for Cafe Racer TV. Butch talks about...
It all began when Hieronymus spotted an MC club member’s BMW boxer parked on a sidewalk in Paris. Sitting in...
Stumbled across this 1961 BMW R69s Cafe Racer named “The Bull” today. It’s a strange combination of parts but it...
Building one-off projects for individual customers has its benefits, but it isn’t the most reliable income model for a custom...
37-year-old Degano developed an interest in BMWs from a young age. His father was a member of the French police...
Last year I had the pleasure of attending the Mooneyes show in Japan. The builder that took out best of show...
One of the many amazing bikes on display at this year’s Handbuilt show in Austin was Dustin Kott’s BMW R80....
The Katze is finally out of the Tasche. BMW Motorrad has unveiled its highly anticipated R18 concept. As we all...
In our opinion there’s nothing better than when a talented photographer turns his camera’s attention to classic motorbikes. These shots...
The BMW, which belongs to a friend of Weston, was originally introduced into the family by his ‘Uncle Lou’ and...
“I thought to myself, if I can fix and maintain a 40 million dollar yacht, then I can build a...
Could a motorcycle be any more beautiful? This is a fully restored 1934 BMW R7 and it’s the only one...
Working with clients can be both challenging and rewarding. When Ønix Design’s latest customer, a doctor from Valencia, brought his...
Mentioning Grand Tourer and cafe racer in the same sentence isn’t something you’ll see me do often. That’s because bikes...
This lovely BMW R 100 named the “Earl Grey” is currently up for sale through Urban Moto in Germany for...
This happens when one of the world’s most creative custom workshops decides that they need to customise their shop bike....
After just having the pleasure of pretending to own an R Nine T for the past few days (keep an...
The Eleven by Kevil’s Speed Shop in the UK. One of the latest BMW Cafe Racers to roll out of...
Big thanks to Collin Christenbury for sending in these shots he took at the Vintage Motorcycle Races & Show in Elkhart Lake...
Experiences from our youth can have a profound effect on what we do later in life. For Jean-Pierre, it was...
Building custom motorcycles is all about solving problems. This could be working around a modern electrical system, extracting additional horsepower...
“A gentleman from Missouri contacted me through my H Garage website inquiring about a build using either a newer model...
When it comes to customising older BMW motorcycles the R series airheads are the most popular weapon of choice. Fuss-free...
