Robert Sabel’s name synonymous with super clean BMW cars recover. His projects became so neat that it was almost ironic that his California store was called Roughchild. But they’re not just visually neat; Robert also loves to imbue them with modern performance and reliability.
This specially restored BMW boxer was built for Randy Garver—a gardener who counts Hollywood among his clients. Robert tells us: “Now in his 60s, Randy has reached a point in his life where many of his friends have passed away. “He wants the chance to ride the best motorcycle of his life right now… before it’s too late.”
Robert originated in 1985 BMWR80RT local as sponsor for the project. “It belonged to the owner’s recently deceased father,” he explained, “who drove it very sparingly, due to its very low mileage records. It just needs, well, everything, for it to go.”
“We bought the bike almost at the same time as we moved to the new facility in Glendale, California, an existing motorcycle service shop. With orders now on the books, I’d love to take it and get on with our first construction at the new facility. With that, we set out on our mission—the R80 was stripped-down and thoroughly tested for wear and tear before starting the modifications.”
An original BMW R80 has about 50 hp, but Randy and Robert wanted more from the classic boxer. So Roughchild rebuilt the engine with a 1,070 cc kit from BMW’s large displacement specialist, Siebenrock. Along with the change in displacement, they added an upgraded cam and dual ignition system.
The boxer engine of the 1980s is now 75 hp (as verified on the alternator) and still uses the original airbox for reliability. It also looks brand new on the outside, finished in black with contrasting fins in all the right places and embellished with custom Roughchild branding.
Peeking underneath the engine, you’ll see a long, low oil pan. “It was a special item, made of magnesium,” says Robert. “It has all the benefits of a deep frying pan without the need to see the depths of the naked eye.”
“Additional oil cooling becomes an important part of the puzzle when increasing displacement dramatically as we did. This explains why we used an upgraded oil cooler next to the larger oil pan.”
As for the suspension, Roughchild specifies the BMW boxer has Öhlins parts on both ends. The OEM wheels have been reworked in satin black and now sport modern Metzeler tires. Twin Brembo disc brakes help slow down the car at the front, with a refurbished BMW drum brake on duty at the rear.
Custom yokes hold the upside down fork in place, with OEM headlight brackets wrapped around the thicker fork caps. They grip the JW Speaker adaptive LED headlights, powered by Motodemia.
A digital Motogadget dashboard sits above, followed by a set of handlebars built specifically for this build. Robert wanted to keep the cockpit as tidy as possible, so the lever mounts were welded directly to the bars. Other considerations include small switches integrated into the left hand grip, internal wiring, and internal throttle.
“Now the throttle is running on a bearing,” says Robert. “It makes the motion of the action incredibly smooth and, dare we say, very dreamy.”
The bodywork is mostly standard Roughchild fare. The OEM fuel tank takes center stage, with a chunky front fender and a motorcyclists seat for one person in the back. There’s no actual subframe underneath the saddle—just a tubular saddle mount that also houses the LED taillights.
Finishing the light system is a stealthy Motogadget turn signal light and a pair of Denali positioning lights. “Randy can light a field and land a small plane if need be,” Robert quips.
As we’ve come to expect from Roughchild, the boxer’s paint job is just as classy as they come. It’s mostly black, save for a few chrome accents and small stripes that match Öhlins parts. Custom Roughchild round balls add extra flair.
Compact and stylish, Roughchild’s latest BMW boxer also looks like it’s going to be a fun ride. “Randy is based in Ojai, California and is blessed with some of the best riding trails in the state,” says Robert.
“His favorite route, he told us, is a well-rehearsed 60-mile loop. He wanted a classic motorcycle that was fast, reliable, and had all the handling and stopping power of a modern machine. It’s a simple-looking machine that combines high-end modern parts and BMW parts from the airhead line.”
“Our best wishes to you, Randy. Hope you can cycle to the last mile.”
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