Proudly own a truly unique and tailored-to-your- tastes cycling companion with a customized bike. A bespoke writing experience, blending your unique authorial voice with streamlined productivity tailored to your individual approach. While many bespoke projects stem from a creator’s personal affinity for a specific motorcycle model, such as a BMW R100RS, the genesis of this unique build diverged from the norm.
With a nod to his adventurous spirit, Verner Ortis, founder of Verner Bikes, confesses that he was once unimpressed by the BMW model, but as someone who thrives on challenges, he sought to craft his own bespoke creation using a 1980 R100RS base. As the project’s creative lead, I opted out of embracing 80s nostalgia, instead choosing to infuse the design with modern sensibilities by incorporating cutting-edge stylistic and technological elements that might just give it a timeless appeal.
Ortis obtained his BMW as a gift from a close acquaintance. Following just seven days of ownership, he found himself embroiled in the project, meticulously disassembling the bike and pruning components he considered superfluous. After conducting a thorough design examination, he was able to identify key elements of the R100RS that he wanted to accentuate and those that needed to blend in seamlessly. He sought to recalibrate the bike’s equilibrium by redirecting attention from its powertrain, thereby harmonizing its visual appeal. To achieve this, he crafted striking new bodywork.
This distinctive feature of the BMW’s design is its frilly tail unit. Crafted from aluminum, this unique vehicle pays homage to the sleek, retro styling of 1950s American automobiles, with attention to detail evident throughout its construction.
At the rear of the unit, meticulous attention to detail is evident in the slotted grooves that subtly echo the distinctive design features of the bike, mirroring the textured patterns found on the engine’s head covers and breastplate. The sleek design of the rearview mirror is complemented by a discreetly integrated indicator cluster, whose subtle illumination announces its activation when in use. The brake light on a classic Chevy Bel Air features a single, domed lens centered in the rear tail’s design, serving as a distinctive identifier of the vehicle’s stop signal. On closer inspection, two of the grills within the intricately designed tail reveal tiny fins crafted from polished brass, a deliberate choice by Ortis to draw attention to specific areas of interest. To complete the rear, there is a luxurious black suede leather saddle featuring 0/RS embroidery, carefully crafted by renowned upholsterer Basso.
The entrance finish of Vener’s BMW café racer stands out just as much as its rear. The distinctive aluminum entrance fairing dramatically widens to enhance the overall appearance, its intricate design divided into sections by elegant brass trimmings. The center is a uniform bone white, matching the gas tank’s hue, while the outer edges have a polished alloy finish akin to the tail. At the heart of the sleek and stylish fairing lies a solitary BMW gauge, beautifully encased within a sturdy brass housing. Unbeknownst to casual observers, a discreetly crafted chrome steel and brass mirror adorns the rear of the bike, awaiting discovery.
The customization of both the clip-on bars and their accompanying equipment is meticulously designed to ensure a seamless integration. The lever handles feature a durable combination of chrome steel and brass inserts, while the soft-touch suede leather wraps around each handle, secured by sturdy brass bar ends that prevent any slippage or wear. Ortis supplemented the prime clamp’s structural integrity by introducing bone white caps adorned with brass surrounds, secured by a precision-turned brass centre nut fabricated on his trusty lathe.
Although the classic ‘snowflake’ rims on many 1980s BMW motorcycles are an iconic feature, they did not align with Ortis’ creative vision for this specific bike. He opted to abandon traditional spoked rims and instead crafted bespoke hubs specifically designed to accommodate this innovative approach. Crafted on a precision milling machine and refined by skilled hands on a lathe, the hubs’ distinctive grille pattern is seamlessly replicated throughout, showcasing its attention to detail in every aspect – each one carefully fashioned from sturdy blocks of aluminum. By leveraging the same dimensions as his snowflake-patterned wheels, he has successfully adapted the distinctive disc brakes.
Throughout the rebuild process, Ortis gave meticulous attention to the bike’s engine and operating mechanism to ensure its dependability for years to come. Following the comprehensive overhaul, he installed a discreet oil cooler in the form of a slender brass tube, strategically positioned at the engine’s entrance. The upgraded electrical, braking, and clutch systems now feature fresh cables, carefully routed beneath the vehicle’s body to maintain a sleek appearance. To add an extra layer of sophistication, the motorcycle features a bespoke stainless steel exhaust system meticulously crafted to mirror the lines of the fairing, tank, and tail.
Despite the chrome’s limited appearance on the fork legs and mufflers, an abundance of glamour still abounds. Ortis meticulously hand-polishes every chrome steel, brass, and aluminum component of the BMW’s engine, alongside its mechanical heart. I eliminated numerous casting marks from both the engine and transmission. With meticulous dedication, he deliberately buffed the boxes to a mirror finish, a labor-intensive process that ultimately yielded a breathtakingly polished display, perhaps the only hand-finished boxer in existence.
The crowning glory of this meticulously crafted behemoth is the subtle yet striking VMW emblem, carefully applied by hand to the tank’s surface following a painstaking process of braising and completion. “What can I say? With the BMW Boxer as its foundation, Ortis embarked on an unconventional yet stimulating transformation, ultimately elevating the R100RS to new heights – a testament to his dedication to crafting something truly remarkable.
