Three-wheeled motorcycle some bad rap, but we can think of a few good uses for them. They are especially useful for riders who love the feeling of cycling but can’t stay upright. And if you must ride a tricycle, you can do it in style, too.
This amazing building was built for such a client, with BMW R18 as a sponsor. It’s the work of Yuri Shif’s award-winning ShifCustom workshop, located in Minsk. And if there’s a style to go with the R18’s 1,802cc boxer engine, this is it.
The ShifCustom’s backstroke has all the sensibility of a Can-Am Spyder, but with a much more vintage vibe. Their design differs from the iconic BMW 328, mainly because their customer is a big fan of the brand. But we’re also collecting Morgan 3 Wheeler hints here.
As you might imagine, there are very few plug-and-play tools here. ShifCustom’s powerful 15-person team designed the chassis and manufactured the bodywork in-house, relying solely on aftermarket suppliers for some parts and machining only the leather.
Most of the engineering is hidden under the new hood of the R18. There you’ll find the custom-built front subframe, which is bolted to the main frame via reinforced mounting plates and holds a double wishbone independent suspension. The entire design is digitally designed before ShifCustom inserts the torch into the metal.
The system includes an extended steering wheel, to transfer input from the handlebars to the wheels, and a pair of adjustable shock absorbers. The wheels themselves are modified Audi A3s, which come with Nissin brakes.
ShifCustom may have used software to design the suspension, but the bodywork is done using traditional coach construction techniques. The most prominent feature is the aluminum cone; a clear nod to the 328 with its dual front mesh.
Every last detail is stunning, from the front BMW chassis, to the windshield panels at the top and sides. Take a closer look at the wheels, and you’ll even recognize the style of the Rudge Whitworth hub nut as the classic 328.
Remove the leather belt and the hood opens in two, providing access to the front end and some electronic components. Below are two Harley V-Rod headlights, reworked with handmade covers. ShifCustom had to develop a plug-in module to make them work, as they wouldn’t work well with BMW’s electrical system at first.
Completing the bodywork is a matching set of hand-crafted aluminum fenders. The rear wheel is also customised, as are the windscreens on the side covers of the BMW.
The driver’s point of view is also quite interesting. Installed on the rear of the helmet is a Bluetooth-enabled audio system, controlled via a remote control on the handlebars. A leather pocket on the fuel tank provides space for a smartphone, with built-in wireless charging.
ShifCustom retuned the OEM speedo to sit behind the bars and swapped out the fuel cap for a neatly knurled aluminum section. Other add-ons include new striped rearview mirrors and turn signals, with the rear units being doubled as taillights.
The R18’s new paint job is also done in-house, and stands out because it’s so simple. The classic combination of silver and blue is hard to argue with — especially when you notice how elegantly it has been transferred to parts like the wheels, valve covers, and silencers. any.
ShifCustom’s take on BMW’s boxer cruiser is sure to ruffle, but we’re fans. And considering the R18’s intended audience, perhaps the Bavarian brand should take note.
ShifCustom | Facebook | Instagram | Pictures of Andrew Schukin
