Licks Cycles: BMW K100 Tracker BikeBound

Ellaspede goes all-out on a Flying Brick…

Launched in 1983, the BMW K100 was a radical departure for BMW Motorrad, whose whole model id and heritage had been based mostly on air-cooled flat-twin “airhead” bikes. In distinction, the K100 featured a liquid-cooled, fuel-injected four-cylinder inline engine with heavy design affect from the automotive world. Even stranger, the engine was laid on its aspect within the body, resulting in the bike’s “Flying Brick” nickname.

Whereas Flying Bricks have change into in style donors within the {custom} world, their boxy, even brutalist structure makes them difficult to get proper. Of all the numerous K100 customs that cross our desks right here at BikeBound, solely a fraction of them have strains and proportions that basically work. Nevertheless, this ’86 K100 from Brisbane, Australia’s Ellaspede immediately caught our eyes.

Ellaspede is without doubt one of the greatest workshops in world, and so they perceive the work required for a really distinctive K100 {custom}:

“Their design is unmistakably distinctive and requires the proprietor to ‘go the entire means’ to take advantage of the ‘Flying Brick’ look.”

Many builders make the most of the Retro Rides horizontal rear suspension package, however the Ellaspede crew opted to manufacture their very own swingarm and linkage in-house, pairing it with a custom-fabbed chromoly subframe, quick-release seat pan, {custom} electrical field, and baggage loops for in a single day journeys.

Hughan from Ellaspede provides us the complete rundown of the construct beneath, however different highlights embody trendy Yamaha R1 forks with four-piston brakes, laser-cut aluminum aspect covers, LED lighting, and a Bates-style aspect highlight that remembers the bikes from The Nice Escape (sure, everyone knows McQueen and stunt double Bud Ekins have been driving Triumphs disguised as BMWs). Says proprietor David:

“I knew that it will not replicate the previous German bikes however that was the hyperlink to German engineering of the previous. I used to be additionally posted to Germany for some time and had nothing however nice reminiscences of beer, Porsches and BMWs.”

Nicknamed “Kopfjäger” — German for “Headhunter” — this is without doubt one of the best-looking, most well-balanced K100 builds we’ve had the pleasure of that includes. Under, Ellaspede’s Hughan Seary provides us the complete story on the construct.

K100 Road Tracker: Within the Builder’s Phrases…

The BMW K100 is a basic on the planet of bikes. With its distinctive design, linear engine, and German engineering, it has stood the take a look at of time and stays a well-liked selection amongst lovers.

However as we’ve discovered with Okay-series {custom} builds, their design is unmistakably distinctive and requires the proprietor to “go the entire means” to take advantage of the “Flying Brick” look.

One of many standout options of the K100 is its inline-four, 987cc engine. This liquid-cooled energy plant delivers first rate efficiency, producing a clean and constant energy supply all through the rev vary.

The body, that includes BMW’s famend “Flying Brick” structure, provides good stability and steadiness. Mixed with the engine format, it provides the bike a particular look that units it aside from different bikes of its period.

BMW has at all times been recognized for constructing sturdy bikes, and with correct upkeep and care, these bikes can simply cowl excessive mileage with out main points, making them a dependable companion for long-distance touring or on a regular basis commuting.

The K100’s uncovered engine, driving stability, and famend reliability are all large pluses for a {custom} construct, however it’s the unconventional styling that appears to be the most important stumbling block and in flip highest hurdle to doing a clear K100 {custom}.

Proprietor David provides us the backstory:

“I purchased the bike at a web based public sale about 18 months in the past. The concept was to have this as a gradual undertaking bike that I may work on, however I quickly realised that the bike I had in thoughts was higher constructed by professionals. Unsure of the historical past of the bike aside from the unique proprietor was additionally doing a little resto work previous to me getting it.”

You’ll be able to see within the authentic photograph what David is referring to, with the earlier proprietor stripping away a lot of the large BMW’s bodywork and becoming some small parts. Sadly all of those elements aside from the handlebars didn’t match the construct, in order that they have been swiftly eliminated earlier than the brand new work started.

We’ve been a fan of the “Retro Rides” rear suspension kits for the K100’s, however they’re fairly trendy trying with their CNC development, so on this construct we opted to make one thing related in operation however extra intently matched to the manufacturing unit body type of the bike. The rear half of the body was eliminated in favour of a chromoly subframe and horizontal suspension system that was designed and bent up in-house earlier than being welded on.

A {custom} seat pan was fabricated with a quick-release latch and now matches the brand new rear body, whereas a metal battery field was added to deal with the in depth electrical parts discovered within the Okay-series. A metal inside guard was additionally fabricated to guard {the electrical} field and provides the underneath seat space a pleasant clear look.

Ending off the rear fab is an prolonged quantity plate mount that will even maintain the tail gentle and indicators. Small “baggage loops” have been additionally welded to the body for securing a small pannier or an in a single day bag for the longer excursions.

On the entrance, an upside-down Yamaha R1 entrance finish was fitted with Cognito Moto triple bushes and high bar mounts. The forks have been despatched off for refinishing and rebuilding earlier than being slotted again in. They’re complemented by {custom} hub/disc spacers to accommodate the 310mm discs on the manufacturing unit K100 entrance wheel, clamped by four-piston Yamaha calipers on each side that have been rebuilt and are fed via braided strains. A metal entrance guard was formed up and hangs off {custom} “tubular” mounts from the underside of the “the other way up” forks.

Aluminium aspect covers have been designed and laser-cut to slot in the body triangle on both sides beneath the seat. They characteristic K100 cutouts which have been “again crammed” with metal mesh for a distinction look and to cease something undesirable getting in.

The K100’s engine, recognized for its reliability, had good compression and didn’t require a rebuild throughout inspection. It was eliminated and refinished in black, with the fins on every engine cowl linished for distinction. Preventative upkeep was carried out in the best way of varied engine seals, hoses, injectors, and parts being changed or refurbished as properly. A particular engine infill badge that includes David’s selection of German phrase “Kopfjäger” was additionally made in CAD and machined from T6061 aluminium.

Other than wiring in new electrical parts, discovering appropriate placements for all the mandatory manufacturing unit elements in a customized Okay-series BMW is a major endeavor. The bike now options Daytona Velona 60 gauges for essential info show, managed via {custom} Ellaspede Okay- sequence switches, and with flip indicators indicated by Motogadget m-blaze bar finish indicators on the entrance and Motogadget pin indicators on the rear.

A basic LSL headlight lights the best way, with a neat Koso Hawkeye LED caring for tail gentle duties out again. Daytona Rod D-mirror mirrors are underslung for the rear visibility.

The inventory K100 headers have been retained however shortened, a brand new 4-into-1 collector made after which linked to a shortened Supertrapp muffler mounted on a {custom} bracket.

The fabrication continued on a brand new radiator overflow bottle, foot peg mounts, a spot gentle bracket on the left hand aspect, repairs to the centre stand in addition to the standard de-tabbing and cleansing of the body and different parts. A Bates-style highlight now hangs off the left aspect with a alternative yellow lens to help on the foggiest of early morning rides.

A brand new outer disc was fitted to the rear and the brake caliper was rebuilt and repainted to make sure it’s working appropriately. A brand new YSS “black version” rear shock slots into the brand new suspension mount to carry up the remainder of the rear as properly.

After finishing a lot of the fabrication work, the bike underwent an intensive strip-down. Important elements and parts have been despatched off for paint, cerakote, or powder coat finishes. Shinko 712 tyres in 100/90-18 for the entrance and 130/90-17 for the rear have been mounted on the manufacturing unit K100 wheels.

The brand new seat was foamed up utilizing a beneficiant quantity of excessive density consolation foam for the longer days within the saddle. Upholstery options premium black UV rated motorbike vinyl with horizontally back-pleated throughout the highest and bordered by a silver graphite sew.

Attending to the paint, David explains his meant theme and color decisions:

“The color got here from the BMW Nardo gray and I believed that this could be a pleasant hyperlink to the current. I wished the bike to stay true to its German heritage and so I used to be eager to reinforce the BMW wording someplace on the bike, which you’ll be able to see on the entrance guard. This additionally led to the Kopfjäger reference on the engine aspect panel.”

“The unique inspiration for a rambler type of motorbike (versus a restaurant racer) was the bike from the film The Nice Escape — therefore the one aspect gentle. I knew that it will not replicate the previous German bikes however that was the hyperlink to German engineering of the previous. I used to be additionally posted to Germany for some time and had nothing however nice reminiscences of beer, Porsches and BMWs.”

Taking in David’s inspiration, we designed a basic color scheme for the tank and entrance guard, that includes the BMW Nardo Gray with black “knee panels” on the tank and a metallic navy blue border and line work throughout each elements for a pop of color. The prolonged BMW which means additionally adorns the appropriate aspect of the entrance guard.

Relating to K100 builds, the philosophy adopted right here is to go all-out. The inventory K100 can seem cumbersome and eccentric, so a half-hearted customisation try doesn’t often lead to a satisfying end result. We predict this construct totally embraces the transformation, acknowledging that a formidable {custom} instance of the K100 requires going the “complete hog” and we’re glad David trusted us to assist him see it via.

Now that it’s completed, David says:

“It’s exhausting to say what my favorite a part of the bike is as there’s a lot to soak up, however the rear suspension and swing arm seems to be unimaginable. I’m spoiled that I’ve a motorcycle to experience to work and one for weekends. I joked that this one would in all probability find yourself inside as a characteristic piece, however my spouse shortly shut that down. Unsure precisely with this one. Would possibly use it to journey to bike reveals or as a weekender.”

The BMW K100 is a basic motorbike and in the event you ask us David now has a brilliant clear instance of a cool {custom}! With the graceful energy, driving stability, and rad new seems to be we’d take this factor for a weekend away any day, we’ll simply must persuade David to mortgage us the “Kopfjäger” keys.