Licks Cycles: BMW R100GS “Six Days”

BMW ISDT Tribute from Santa Fox Storage…

The Worldwide Six Days Enduro (ISDE) is the oldest off-road occasion on the FIM calendar. Recognized for years because the Worldwide Six Days Trial (ISDT), it was first held in 1913, and would come to be generally known as the “Olympics of Motorcycling.” 4-rider nationwide groups compete over six grueling days and 1000+ miles in a supreme take a look at of rider and machine, with strict time allowances, restrictions on mechanical replacements, and riders finishing up the lion’s share of repairs on their very own bikes.

BMW had success within the early days of the competitors, scoring medals within the Nineteen Twenties and 30s.

“BMW engineer Rudolf Schleicher recorded the primary worldwide success in 1926 on the well-known Six Days in England – as a personal rider, he secured the gold medal on a normal R 37.” –BMW Motorrad

As light-weight single-cylinder machines started to dominate the competitors, nonetheless, the BMW 247 sequence “Airhead” appeared like an unlikely candidate to sort out the mud, mud, gravel, bogs, and singletrack trails of the ISDT. Nonetheless, BMW fielded a manufacturing facility works crew in 1979, with engineer Laszlo Peres serving to to create a sub 300-lb “Six Days GS” that may function the premise for the BMW R80GS.

“As a part of a manufacturing facility entry in 1979, the GS 80 introduced residence each victory on the German offroad championships and two gold medals on the Six Days world championships. The profitable streak continued in 1980 and eventually ended within the presentation of a normal model of the victorious motorbike accessible for buy: the R 80 G/S. With it, BMW established the brand new section of touring and thoroughbred enduros.” –BMW Motorrad

Not too long ago, we heard from Carlo Santamaria of Savona, Italy’s Santa Fox Storage, who’s been modifying bikes since he was boy and continues to remodel them as a passion. On this case, he began with simply the engine and chassis of a ’92 BMW R100GS and got down to construct an ISDT-inspired machine.

The engine was sandblasted and the chassis painted blue, identical to the BMW works racers. The bike is now sitting on fashionable WP suspension at each ends, and the fuel tank has a cutaway to carry a leather-based satchel for the important thing swap and different electrics (one other signature characteristic of among the BMW manufacturing facility racers). Carlo custom-made the rear subframe and saddle, and even modified an Akrapovic silencer to match the exhaust fashion seen on the Six Days GS.

The Santa Fox R100GS “Six Days” pays tribute to this chapter of BMW historical past, reminiscent of the ISDT glory days whereas fashionable components just like the upgraded suspension deliver the bike into the twenty first century. Under, we discuss to Carlo for extra particulars on the construct.

BMW R100GS Six Days: Builder Interview

• Please inform us a bit about your self, your historical past with bikes, and your workshop.

Since I used to be little I at all times preferred to change my bikes to make them distinctive. Now for ardour I prefer to proceed to remodel the bikes in my storage in response to my imaginative and prescient, exploiting my creativity to create examples characterised by distinctive components.

• What’s the make, mannequin, and 12 months of the donor bike?

The bike is a 1992 BMW R100GS.

• Why was this bike constructed?

The bike was constructed because of a undertaking that I’ve cultivated for a number of years. The inspiration comes from my very own design.

• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?

For this bike, a BMW R100GS from ’92, I began from a base of solely the chassis and engine. I imagined reworking it in an off-road endurance / rally fashion (a motorcycle that ran within the 80s off-road).

• What customized work was achieved to the bike?

Carried out jobs: Sandblasted the chassis and motor, added a tank and leather-based bag the place I’ve
hidden the battery, modified rear mudguard, quantity plates, and license mount.

Entrance mudguard is from Acerbis, and entrance masks is UFO. WP forks and rear mono-shock. Unique saddle modified to cover electronics. Modified Akrapovic silencer, and extra.

• Does the bike have a nickname?

The nickname of the bike is BMW R100 Six Days.

• Are you able to inform us what it’s prefer to journey this bike?

Driving the BMW R100 6 Days is thrilling. I’m notably proud as a result of the bike is my private undertaking. Each single one in every of my modifications is a supply of satisfaction for me.