minutes it hits the custom scene, BMW K100 was an underdog. With its brick-like engine, overly angular body, and hunched subframe, it’s a much less attractive option than the R-series’ more handsome boxer. But that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a Surprisingly popular choice.
The key lies in how you customize the K100. If your strategy is to turn it into a traditional building style, you’ll be heartbroken. But if you seek to exploit the K100’s quirks rather than fight it, the results can be spectacular.
That is the approach that Motoism and impulsive taken with this super sharp 1983 BMW K100 cafe racer. The two Munich-based fashion houses both love beautiful design and master modern production techniques. With support from VOR Shoes, Kruno Trim Studio, Öhlins, ABM and Pirelli, they set out to reimagine classic cafe racer ideas in retro-futuristic style.
Motoism founder Ben Ott said: “This sporty new K100 celebrates the 80s to the extreme. “A return that combines iconic features with futuristic artifacts. Illuminated wings, a custom sneaker and taillights get you ready to put the neon lights on top.”
The idea was to build the bike in such a way that the parts could be replicated, sold as individual parts or in sets. So Motoism and Impuls mainly rely on 3D scanning, design and printing technologies to solve this problem.
First, the bike was stripped to the bone and 3D scanned. The team then redesigned the entire car digitally, from the headlight visors and ‘aero wings’, to the tweaked tail section. From there, countless parts are 3D printed, using high-performance copolymers and carbon-reinforced copolymers.
Starting at the front, Motoism has attached the new headlight housings with laser-cut stainless steel brackets. It houses a Koso Thunderbolt LED headlight, with a small Motogadget digital speedometer neatly mounted on top. It also has a slim row of LED warning lights and a hidden RFID-equipped keyless ignition.
The cockpit is fitted with new ABM clamps, Brembo brake controls and new grips. The neat switches are Motoism’s own design, using a blacked out 3D printed case.
The sides of the original fuel tank are a set of translucent ‘wings’, bolted to stainless steel brackets. They obviously don’t help the bike’s aerodynamics much, but they serve a purpose—other than to perfectly complement the lines of the gas tank. Equipped with LED lights, they effectively function as daytime running lights to increase visibility on the road.
Down lower, you’ll find a stout 3D printed front fender, mounted on laser-cut stainless steel brackets. Motoism also designed a new, stealthy fork cover with integrated turn signals.
The forks themselves have been lowered a bit and fitted with new springs and spacers. Öhlins custom-built shock absorbers support the rear end, bolted to a custom-built subframe. Motoism and Impuls worked together on the frame, welding CNC bending tubes together to get the right shape.
It’s topped with a custom solo seat, followed by a 3D printed hump. The taillights are completely custom, with translucent plastic fins illuminated by LEDs.
The rest of the build represents a mix of custom and additional parts. The foot controller is a combination of ABM parts, with Impuls custom mounts and links. Impuls also built a new coolant expansion tank and four-in-one stainless steel exhaust tips. The silencer is a titanium part by GPR and the entire system is finished in black.
The K100 also features a new 3D-printed feed tube and a 3D-printed battery case that holds two small LiFePO4 batteries. As for the tires, the team chose the attractive Pirelli Sport Demons tires.
Most of these parts are available from Motoism’s online store, along with some items not described here. There are many options for the fuel tank ‘wings’, along with license plate holders… but the paint job is up to you.
Here, Motoism and Impuls have chosen a simple yet effective design. The white BMW Alpina bodywork stands out with bright red stripes. Everything below the line has been blacked out, further emphasizing the new set.
A custom-fit pair of sneakers from VOR Shoes completes the look. Though if this were our K, those white kicks would quickly get dirty.
motorism | impulsive | Picture of Peter Langwieser
