In recent years there has been an upward trend in the choice of the famous BMW brand as the basis for motorcycle customization. In this article we will explain why they are ideal to build (or build you) your own BMW Cafe Racer or Scrambler.
A history note of BMW motorcycles
BMW R32, the first BMW motorcycle in history.
The mythical German brand began its journey with the manufacture of motorcycles back in the 20s. This barbarian company began manufacturing aircraft engines, which can still be seen in its logo that symbolizes blades over the blue sky.
It was precisely this aeronautical engineering applied to the engine that led them to include it in their first motorcycle in 1923. It was the BMW R32 that mounted the engine on a double-tube chassis and transmitted the power to the wheel through an articulated propulsion or cardan joint.
This structure is the basis of the motorcycle models that BMW manufactures today.
And what makes BMW so special?
For starters, it is a brand associated with security. Everyone knows that, whether we talk about their four-wheelers or two-wheelers, everyone agrees that this firm has managed to combine the robustness of its designs and elegance in its finishes, creating a deserved reputation for vehicles High-end very safe.
But focusing on the field of motorcycles, another factor that is usually taken into account is the high availability of parts to combine and be able to assemble your own custom motorcycle. Unlike other brands that can be an extra effort to find pieces that fit well.
The latter are important characteristics, but perhaps the one that has more weight is the characteristic retro style that these motorcycles have taken over time. Especially those created in the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Best models to have a BMW Cafe Racer
As we have said before, vintage models are preferred for modifications. BMW has several lines of models defined by letters. But the R and K models are the most ideal for our purpose.
BMW R models
BMW R50 (1970)
The R models were designed to create motorcycles that serve both field and road. Japanese companies were squeezing hard in this segment in the late 60s, which is why BMW reacted by creating the R50/5, R60/5 and R70/5 series. These models already incorporated the mythical two-cylinder boxer engine.
During the 70s and 80s, these bikes were preferred for adventure trips. In fact they were the most viewed in the Paris-Dakar editions.
In its advertising of that time, slogans such as:
“A motorcycle transports us to new dimensions, the world wins in colors and becomes wider. A motorcycle must be lived. As long as there are men who appreciate intense contact with the most sophisticated technology, there will be motorcycles. Motorcycles as BMW builds them ”
These models meant a lower weight for the motorcycle and greater agility. All this without losing power (up to 50CV in the R70/5 model) with a large tank and low consumption.
Lord Drake Kustoms has worked on these models, obtaining splendid results in all of them.
These models were highly appreciated for their powerful engines and groundbreaking design. They were a great revolution thanks to its four-cylinder in-line water-cooled engines.
Although, really what BMW did with these models was to incorporate all the leading technologies that the Munich brand was developing.
These improvements were, for example, the ABS anti-lock braking system, the first electronic speed control for motorcycles, the electronic suspension adjustment (ESA) or the heated seat.
The BMW K100 Racer has been our Cafe Racer made from a BMW K100.
BMW K100 RACER by Lord Drake Kustoms
Conclusion
BMW motorcycles, with almost a century of existence, remain a safe value for their comfort, power and safety.
That is why, you choose the one you choose, to carry out your customization, they will be the perfect base for a custom Cafe Racer or Scrambler dream motorcycle.
Today we want to thank and recommend to the company specialized in powdercoating Metalcolors for the excellent powdercoating service that he has given during these years to Lord Drake Kustoms.
With facilities in Madrid and Malaga, this company has been responsible for the perfect finish on various parts of the cafe racer, scrambler or Harley Davidsonmotorcycles that we have transformed.
Metalcolors offers a wide range of services for individuals and companies. In addition, they have extensive experience, since they were formed in the US where this type of paint application is most used in sectors such as automotive or nautical.
What is powdercoating
Powdercoating is ideal for restoration, modification and customization of motorcycle parts. The application in parts such as chassis, tires, spokes, screws, suspension bottles, springs, handlebars and a long etc. is essential to achieve a correct finish. In addition, it provides a hardness and resistance that traditional painting does not give.
The method
The method of applying powdercoating begins with a chemical treatment and sandblasting, and then goes on to a wash and dry. Once the pieces are dry, the parts that should not be painted are carefully covered and protected. Coated parts, powdercoat is applied and when necessary, primer and / or final lacquer is applied for better quality and protection. Finally, the piece goes through an oven where the paint dries at the necessary temperature and time.
The Metalcolors work process includes both the collection and delivery of parts to the customer. This is important, since they can accept jobs from anywhere in Spain. This is achieved through courier or personalized collection. In addition, the process of packing the pieces is quite professional and safe, getting the customer to receive their order with complete peace of mind.
The magic of powder painting is the finishes. There are many types, such as smooth, rough, metallic effects, glitters, matt, chrome, textures, etc … Currently they have 250 finishes and effects in stock and more than 6,000 on request.
So from here we encourage all motorcycle builders to use powdercoating. We want to continue creating these two-wheel wonders with perfect finishes.
The third motorcycle for the Siebla Group Harley Davidson store in Malaga was a challenge since it was not just any motorcycle transformation, as this customized motorcycle was to compete in the Battle of the Kings II.
And for us it was an honor that the official Harley Davidson dealer in Malaga placed his trust in us for this project.
In the initial meeting with the manager of the Harley Davidson store in Malaga for this project; They told us that they wanted Lord Drake Kustoms to modify a brand-new Harley Davidson Iron 883 to compete in the prestigious custom bike show “Battle of the Kings” in 2016.
This motorcycle would be the one represent the Harley dealership in Malaga in the prestigious bike show and that would compete with the rest of the official Harley Davidson dealers in Spain.
At first, Francisco Alí Manén let his imagination fly, thinking of doing something very radical and striking; but quickly had to think of something flashy but not very radical and low cost.
The reason for this was that one of the conditions for participating was that a very limited budget could not be exceeded and that the vast majority of the parts had to be from the Harley Davidson brand itself.
These two factors and above all the economic budget, would make us limit ourselves to doing a less impressive custom motorcycle job than we really would have wanted at LDK.
Unfortunately with time and especially when the day of the competition arrived, we could see that very few Harley Davidson dealers in Spain had respected the rules of budgets and parts.
In any case, both the members of the Siebla Group and ourselves were very happy with the result of the “SIEBLA RACER”, a beautiful Sportster Iron 883 with a very classic cafe racer style.
A motorcycle transformation carried out on a Harley Iron 883 and finished with a super striking paint in fire red, gold and black, among many other details.
We use the Harley Davidson brand of parts and accessories, for the vast majority of components and these were accompanied by some pieces made by hand.
After the success of the first Harley transformed for the Harley Davidson Dealer in Malaga (a Sportster Scrambler), the second custom motorcycle was about to arrive to complete the initial order.
The second unit was a cafe racer bike, built on a 2005 carbureted Sportster 883 base and delivered to the Harley dealerjust two days after the “BULTRACKER 04”.
Fran Manen at the delivery of the two motorcycles to the Harley Davidson Dealer in Malaga
This Sportster cafer racer was also the second unit of this model, which Lord Drake Kustoms made. Anecdotally, the first unit of this model was also acquired by another Harley Davidson dealer but this time in Brussels (Belgium), specifically “Capital Brussels”.
Specifically, this transformed Harley Davidson was a cafe racer motorcycle without more, finished in an elegant black color that combined gloss black with pearl black and with gold details and pinstriping; it was called Stormracer.
As we indicated at the beginning, this custom Harley was delivered and exhibited at the Harley Davidson store in Malaga, just two days after the first unit; And like its predecessor, it caused a sensation to the point that it also sold out in less than 48 hours.
With this second bike, the first collaboration agreement between Grupo Siebla (owner of Harley Davidson Málaga) and Lord Drake Kustoms was completed with great success.
“Stormracer” a Harley Sportster 883 Cafe Racer from Lord Drake Kustoms
Motorcycle transformations in Malaga and the rest of Spain were increasingly in demand and the legendary Harley Davidson brand was not going to be left behind; at least in Malaga, where its official dealer opted to ally itself with one of the world leaders in customizing Harley Davidson….
It was the beginning of a great relationship between two great brands who share a passion: the world of custom motorcycles and the brand that drove it… Harley Davidson.
In 2015 Lord Drake Kustoms reached a collaboration agreement with Harley Davidson Siebla Malaga so that our LDK brand would be responsible for carrying out Harley transformations for the official dealer in the Malaga capital.
After several conversations, Manuel Ramos, manager of the official Harley Davidson dealership in Malaga, and the owner of LDK (Francisco Alí Manén) decided to join forces and collaborate together to manufacture custom motorcycles, which would be sold in the Harley Davidson store.
Manuel Ramos (Harley Siebla Malaga) and Fran Manen (Lord Drake Kustoms)
The idea of this agreement was for Lord Drake Kustoms to carry out motorcycle transformations that would be commissioned by Harley Davidson Malaga.
They decided that this joint motorcycle transformation project would begin with the modification of Sportster: specifically two units of the 883 model. Of which, one would be a Scrambler motorcycle and the other a Cafe Racer motorcycle.
Harley-Davidson Sportster “Bultracker 04” was the first custom motorcycle created in collaboration with the Harley Siebla dealership in Malaga.Harley-Davidson Sportster “Bultracker 04” was the first custom motorcycle created in collaboration with the Harley Siebla dealership in Malaga.
Such was the acceptance that this first motorcycle customized by LDK had, that it was sold within hours of arriving at the Harley Davidson facilities in Malaga.
Francisco Alí Manén still remembers the call of joy from the manager of Harley Davidson in Malaga telling him: “The scrambler hasn’t been in the store for a day and it has just sold”.
A great success for this first motorcycle transformed and resulting from this agreement between two large companies.
Some time ago, Lord Drake Kustoms reached a new collaboration agreement with the dealer and official Harley-Davidson workshop and dealer “Capital” in Brussels (Belgium).
As had happened with other official Harley Davidson dealers in Miami and other parts of Florida; “Capital of Europe”, which is also known as the Harley Davidson Capital store in Belgium, also jumped on the bandwagon of motorcycle transformations.
This relationship arises when the owner of the Harley Davidson dealership M. Van den Broeck, meets and meets the owner of LDK Francisco Alí Manén at the custom bike show of the Harley Davidson Eurofestival that was held in St. Tropez (France).
The owner of several dealerships in Brussels (including the official BMW motorcycle and car dealer, as well as the Harley dealer), shortly after that meeting called Francisco to buy him a Sportster scrambler that LDK was transforming to make a tribute to the brand of Bultaco motorcycles.
The “BULTRACKER RING 13” was the final name of this sportster scrambler, a tribute to the legendary Spanish motorcycle brand and which went to the exhibition of the official Harley-Davidson workshop “Capital” in Belgium.
Subsequently Lord Drake Kustoms has continued to carry out Harley transformations for this official Harley Davidson store in Belgium, among which motorcycles such as the “STORMRACER” a Sportster Cafe Racer stand out.
