Although its original Warmly received, the BMW R18 has become a regular fixture in the custom scene. Many studios have customized the Bavarian boxer in countless ways — but there’s a style we haven’t seen yet. Until now, no one tried to make it a chopper.
Enter Nick Acosta and his Toronto, Canada-based store, Augment Motorworks. When tasked with customizing a BMW R18 of BMW Motorrad Canada, Nick drew inspiration from classic choppers of the 60s and 70s. After all, BMW calls the R18 a ‘cruiser’.
The ramping up process starts by stripping R18 down to the essentials, so they can figure out what to keep and what to throw away. Finally, the OEM fuel tank is the only part of the bodywork that remains intact.
A quick visual hit comes from a pair of polished alloy wheels from BMW’s own aftermarket catalog. At 21” at the front and 18” at the back, they put a lot of effort into pushing the R18’s position further into chopper territory. Tires are Metzeler ME 888 Marathon Ultras, designed for passenger cars and cruisers.
Augment also fitted a new set of aftermarket BMW engine covers, but these are sandblasted for a rough effect. Working with a brand new modern motorcycle meant no need to touch the engine, but Nick was keen to reveal the intake manifold and throttle body. So the team removed the plastic cap that normally wraps around the back of the engine block and started repacking everything.
The R18 currently features a custom-built aluminum intake system, with a pair of open stacks. Nick assures us that this is for show only and that group filters can be installed in a flash if needed. To clear the space, Augment hid all the wiring that used to be there underneath the gas tank.
Further down is another custom piece; R18’s chopped saddle. Augment made the saddle out of sand-cast aluminum, then delivered it to Dave at Raven6 for finishing touches. He polished the top surface to an almost mirror finish and left the bottom intact for contrast.
The upholstery has an intricate psychedelic pattern on the top. And despite how thin it is, it’s actually more comfortable than it looks, thanks to the dense racing seat foam Augment has used.
The saddle floats above the custom rear fender, supported by a spacious sissy bar. Brilliant in chrome, it also has a pair of welded taillights from Prism Supply Co.
On the opposite side, a pair of ‘pancake’ LED headlights from FNA Custom Cycles light the way. Augment has managed to connect them directly to the R18’s original circuitry but creating the slats to hold them takes more work. According to Nick, it was hand-carved from a block of aluminum.
A set of monkey hangers adds another touch of chopper style; were found at a vintage exchange meet many years ago, they were sitting in the workshop, waiting for the right bike. The builders kept the controls intact, but added a fuel tank cap from the BMW catalog and a turn signal light at the end of the bar from Motogadget. The knurled pins are custom items.
As for the exhaust system, Augment kept the original exhaust tips, but built a pair of adapters to match the classic muffler of the cocktail shaker. New sections are intentionally left alone so they can develop their own rust over time and add more character to the build.
Finally, Augment called Amanda at Black Widow, who covered the car with a flash-inspired, eye-catching paint job. Look closely and you’ll spot a plethora of motorcycle icons—including a few related to BMW’s heritage. (Bonus points to anyone who gets a toaster reference.)
It’s a bold paint job, but again, that’s the whole point. Nick said: “Ultimately, the philosophy of choppers is very simple for me. “Removing everything unnecessary and focusing on all the little intricate details gives the car a great look that will stand the test of time.”
Nicknamed ‘El Boxeador’, this shredded BMW R18 is both unique and quirky. Even if it’s not your cup of tea, you can’t deny that it has a good amount of moxie.
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