The classic BMW R-series boxer stays a perennial favourite amongst {custom} motorbike builders. However there’s a draw back to its recognition; with so many {custom} boxers on the street, it’s exhausting to construct one that really stands out.
This beautiful 1978 BMW R100/7 from Japan’s Heiwa MC doesn’t depend on wild engineering or loopy fabrication to seize consideration. As a substitute, it’s the small particulars that distinguish it as a master-built machine.
The transient for this undertaking was acquainted territory for the founding father of the Hiroshima-based workshop, Kengo Kimura. His buyer needed a good-looking avenue bike with café racer underpinnings and ease as a guideline. That meant retaining recognizable components just like the OEM gas tank, however nipping and tucking the whole lot else.
Kimura-san responded with an array of considered mods and refined finishes, exhibiting the kind of restraint that’s develop into a trademark of his work.
Perched behind the gas tank is a three-quarter-length saddle, stylishly upholstered by common Heiwa collaborator Ya Seat Customized. Kengo fabricated a brief subframe to help it, bolting it to the principle body through new mounting tabs. With a kicked-up rear loop and built-in turn-signal brackets, the rear part boasts better-than-factory finishes.
The tail’s completed off with a neat fender, supporting an LED-equipped Heiwa MC taillight. You’ll discover a pair of repurposed Kayaba shocks with progressive springs decrease down.
Expertly wedged between the seat and the boxer motor’s airbox is a hand-crafted electronics field. Kengo lower, bent, and welded it collectively out of aluminum, earlier than smoothing the welds and shot-blasting it to create a forged iron end that matches the engine casings.
The field holds the battery, key wiring parts, and a tool for Japan’s digital toll assortment system. It additionally hosts the BMW’s ignition barrel on its left-hand facet.
Transferring to the entrance of the bike, Kengo crafted a set of chic braces to carry a custom-made fender. The forks have been shortened by a few inches, whereas the lowers have been handled to the identical shot-blasted end because the battery field. The inventory wheels and brakes have been refurbished, with Waveway Ovalmaster tires including a basic contact.
A 4.5” headlight sits larger up, mounted to a elegant bracket that attaches to the underside of the highest yoke. (The same bracket hides beneath the underside yoke, supporting the entrance flip alerts.) A small speedo sits off to the facet, with handmade drag bars mounted to the unique BMW bar clamps, and fitted with new grips and vintage-style switchgear.
N2 Auto was referred to as in to execute the BMW R100/7’s paint job—a timeless mixture of sand beige and black pinstripes. Heiwa’s signature flying pigeon brand adorns the gas tank, whereas gloss black powder coat covers the body.
The R100/7 is completed off with a pair of slim reverse-cone mufflers, fabricated from scratch to match the sleek strains of the bike. As we’ve come to count on from Heiwa, each inch of this stylish boxer restomod works in good mechanical concord.
Heiwa MC | Facebook | Instagram | Photos by Hiroshi Kikui
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