While to the non-native speaker, “Blechmann” might sound like some kind of ancient Alemanian boogie-man, it’s actually more of an honorific. The nickname, given to one of Germany’s most legendary motorcycle customizers Bernard Nauman, translates to “tin man,” and Bernhard Naumann wears it like a badge of honor. The Tin Man’s latest creation is a great and powerful Custom BMW R NineT that shows that he is worthy of his metallurgical moniker. While he is known as a tinkerer, the works Naumann creates are no tinker toys. It is a masterwork of metalwork and imagination. With a bit of a Postapocalyptic piquancy, he has wrapped the bike in sheet metal (something that would probably be anathema to most lovers of the brand). Naumann describes his bike-customization as an art form used to bring fantasies to life. The proof is in the pudding, and that pudding is a fantastically futuristic motorcycle built out from a 2016 BMW R nineT. Blechmann the Great created a homemade body shape and installed a handmade exhaust system, a new seat bench and modified wheel rims. He finished the R Nine T off with a fresh paintjob: the classic BMW livery. When the smoke had cleared, what he found was a forward-heavy, robustly muscular super-bike from the future. Naumann saw something else, however, and decided to call the bike “Giggerl” – the Bavarian word for chicken. And don’t forget to check Old-Styled Extraordinary BMW R50/3 By Titan and Unique 1985 BMW K100 Motorcycles by Impuls.

Based in Graz, Austria, Vagabund have been designing and building custom motorcycles for just over two years – but their work defies their experience. Starting with a 1992 BMW R80RT, Vagabund pulled out all the stops to create a modern cafe racer. Wiring and cables have been minimized, with 3D-printed switch housings, and a handmade rear frame carries a 3D printed seat. Lowered front forks set a low, aggressive stance, and the black paint and solid rear rim recall vintage speed racers. All-in-all, another great effort from the Austrian design duo. And we will recommend you to check a few more interesting custom bikes: BMW “R nineT” and BMW T63.

A stock 1989 BMW R80 RT is a touring bike with a giant front end that’s been used in quite a few places as a police cruiser. Angry Motors out of Switzerland managed to take that boxy and robust base bike and turn it into a minimalist work of art with their T63. Over the course of almost fifteen straight days (350 hours total spread across a year) of “passion, work, beer, sweat and music,” the 1989 BMW R80 RT was stripped to the bone, powder-coated, painted and rebuilt from the ground up using only the absolute essentials or bespoke parts (custom rear end, leather seat, handgrips, etc.). The finished T63 bike, so named for the beefy Michelin T63 tires, is a murdered out beast that’s almost military in its build precision and spartan detailing.

At the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2017, currently taking place on the shores on Lake Como in Italy, the BMW group is presenting its vision of zero-emission urban mobility on two wheels in the form of the BMW motorrad concept link bike. Taking influence from the BMW motorrad vision next 100, the design study sets out to unite digital connectivity with the demands of urban mobility on two wheels. The electic drive motorcycle concept wants to move beyond established conventions with regard to both design and technology. The special character of BMW’s concept bike becomes clear right away thanks to the completely new design language. Its low-slung, stretched body and flat seat, combined with the diagonally rising front section, create a modern yet distinctive silhouette. Clear lines, large-area surfaces and precise shapes emphasise the state-of-the-art look, with a two-tone colour design reinforcing this further. The colours are all oriented diagonally, to underline the dynamic potential of the ride. The two iconic LEC front lights, clear-cut layout and slim contours spruce up the front of the bike with a touch of futurism. Since BMW have chosen to deliberately showcase the technology used as part of the design package, the side panels don’t completely cover the side section at the rear. Instead, they stretch across the vehicles side like little wings, leaving technical elements such as the drive unit, cooling ribs, single-sided swing arm and tooth belt clearly visible. “The bmw motorrad concept link stands for a new understanding of urban mobility,’ explains Edgar Heinrich , head of design of BMW motorrad. “It links the digital and analogue world and places the focus on the rider and his mobility needs. In the way it links functionality and digitalisation, it performs both as a means of transport as well as a communication device.” “The BMW motorrad concept link is not based on today’s concepts, but rather meets the basic functionality needs and the digital reality of today’s users,” adds Alexander Buckan, head of vehicle design at BMW motorrad. “The technical realities of electric drive – such as the flat energy packs in the underfloor and the compact drive on the rear wheel – allowed us to create a highly distinctive design which shapes a new segment.” Also don’t forget to check the other BMW bike we’ve told you about some time ago – Old-Styled Extraordinary BMW R50/3 By Titan.

A small shop based in the ancient university city of Graz Titan has created this unusual vintage BMW bobber. Titan decided to buy a 1956-vintage R50/3 frame stored in Herr Zink’s attic. They removed the rear suspension from the R50 frame and devised a new mount for the cardan driveshaft. The hunt began for an engine and gearbox from the late 70s or early 80s, and an R75/7 was found for a reasonable price. “We kept the wheel hubs, the engine and transmission, and the fork tubes,” says Michael. The forks were fitted with new seals and bushes, and modern Wirth springs slotted in. Then they were mated to the R50/3 frame with a 9° rake kit from the German specialist AME Chopper. The finishing comes from stunning alloy fork claddings—hand made over 70 hours by the famed Austrian metalworkers Blechmann. The wheels are works of art too, with the original hubs restored and mated to new 18” rims with fresh spokes. The rubber is classic block-pattern Avon Mk II. The old school tires will probably struggle to contain the power unless the rider has a gentle right hand: the 745cc boxer motor has been rebuilt with a Siebenrock Big Bore Kit , punching it out to 1070cc and delivering 70 stout German horses. After a fresh coat of high temperature paint, it was shoehorned into the R50/3 chassis and plumbed in to new ceramic-coated pipes, topped off with gorgeous fishtails. It’s the tank that’s the crowning glory, though. Channeled to sit low on the frame top tube, it’s a 4.5-gallon handmade meisterwerk with alloy side covers and grippy kneepads. A touch of candy blue lifts the classic paint scheme – dark blue with white pinstripes. The seat is worthy of special mention too. Tooled from leather, with immaculate inlays and blue stitching, it’s the work of the Greek outpost of Autostop—a global leather specialist that designs and produces leather interiors for Toyota, Ford and Chrysler. As a result, this one of the coolest custom BMWs you’ve ever seen!

For Munich locals Tom Konecny and Pablo Steigleder of Diamond Ateliers, talk is cheap. As a custom workshop, they’ve heard the tall tale a million times from prospective clients inquiring simply for the sake of inquiry. It’ss only when a customer steps up to the plate and commits does the magic truly begin to unfold in their workshop. Such is the case with this newly completed BMW R nineT DA#9, blacked out and ready to hit the streets in true stealth fashion. Because one of the client’s few requests was for a BMW boxer engine and aggressive shell, they decided to follow suit and then some. That lead to various engine upgrades resulting in a powerful 1400cc engine complete with an output of 145HP. They also threw in a K&N filter and a Spark muffler for good measure as well. In addition, the bike now features a full Wilbers ZF fork setup and a Wilbers Backline rear shock. The gas tank was also hand built, a custom-made tail rounds everything out and a hand-sewn Nubuk leather seat makes for a comfortable ride. Finally, pepper in a pair of BST full carbon fiber wheels wrapped in Pirelli Supercorsa SP2 tires for reduced weight and this thing screams intensity.

Launched in 2014, the BMW R nineT was designed to be as easy to customize as possible. It offers bike workshops a perfect start for creating new motorcycles that maintain, in various degrees, the retro roadster look which is partly inspired by BMW’s iconic R90 bike launched in 1973. The R nineT features separate chassis wiring and engine harnesses as well as fewer bolts attaching the rear subframe; it comes with a 6-speed transmission, upside-down forks and monoshock rear, a dry clutch, and an 110bhp engine. Sydney-based Gasoline Motor Co. took a more creative path when modifying this gorgeous motorcycle, and the result is a blend of subtle retro vibes and sleek futuristic design with a hint of ruggedness. The team installed a new seat, seat pan, rear cowl, and front fairing. Using aircraft grade 6061 aluminum alloy, the workshop completed all the new metal work by shaping each curve to suit the bike. The surface features an eye-catching texture and a clear matte coating that protects the material from the elements. Other additions include a new breast plate and side covers, an LED headlight and a distinct LED tail light blinker, a custom side-mounted bracket for the license plate, a custom 2-into-1 under-box silencer, and a seat upholstered by hand. Stylish and distinct, this BMW R nineT perfectly embodies the concept of the motorcycle while also illustrating the creative possibilities of a custom build project.

Turkish designer Mehmet Doruk Erdem has returned with a new concept BMW motorcycle “Radical Concept”, that looks straight out of Tron Legacy. The bike would come complete with what looks like a full piece armor body, an elevated rear wheel, and super low handlebars. The latter two placing riders in an aerodynamic position to increase those lightning quick speeds only a Beamer could offer. Meanwhile, the monolithic and minimal design with chrome detailing adds to the tough but high-tech aesthetic. There are currently no plans for BMW to create the bike as Erdem’s concepts are completely independent from the huge German manufacturer.

BMW‘s Concept Roadster, a stripped down and thoroughly modern take on the classic BMW motorcycle, is set to debut on the shores of Italy’s Lake Como at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The Concept Roadster is powered by BMW’s classic two-cylinder boxer engine, displacing 1,170 cubic centimeters and good for 123 horsepower and 92 lb-ft of torque. Surrounding the engine is a sparkling blue tubular space frame, featuring a sculptured fuel tank that flows into a single-piece aluminum rear. Additional details include a seat wrapped in perforated Alcantara, precision milled aluminum parts and an aerodynamic engine spoiler. Aluminum air intakes flanking black radiators, as well as an LED headlamp array, complete the striking good looks.