Although BMW Originally designed as a throwback to classic BMW boxers, the R nineT has always had a modern twist. That leaves customizers with two options—either enhance the nineT’s classic appeal or lean into its modern underpinnings. There’s no telling which direction Shawn Yang went with this BMW R nineT. coffee racing car.
Based in China, Shawn has been tinkering with his nineT since he bought it five years ago. Most of his experimentation has been on the outside, with the bike being used as a testbed for developing parts and bolt-on kits for other nineT owners. So his BMW not only looks sleek, it’s also been carefully 3D-printed with prototype parts.
Shawn’s ongoing project picked up steam when he connected with an industrial designer on the other side of the world. “I like to share sketches and prototypes in Facebook groups to get feedback,” Shawn says. “When I posted a prototype of a neat tail, I met Trevor Dyment, an industrial designer at Formlabs, who liked my designs and offered to help me refine them.”
“We collaborated across the Pacific via the internet. The main idea was to build a high-performance, compact, futuristic cafe racer based on my favorite bike. BMW R nineT“ .
Most of the custom parts on Shawn’s R nineT (which he nicknames ‘The Futurist’) were created using four separate 3D printing techniques. The clear bits were created using the popular stereolithography (SLA) method, HP’s multi-jet fusion (MJF) method handled the medium-sized nylon parts, and selective laser sintering (SLS) was chosen for the larger nylon parts.
Finally, fused deposition modeling (FDM) was used to fabricate the parts that sit near the engine. Those bits were printed from PAHT-CF—a high-temperature, carbon-fiber-reinforced polyamide that can withstand temperatures up to 194℃.
The key parts of the PAHT-CF are the ‘wings’ that run along the bottom of the tank, replacing the original right-side air intake and left-side bezel. They’re the only 3D-printed parts on the unfinished bike—a deliberate move by Shawn to highlight the technology used.
At the front of the bike, you’ll find a 3D-printed fender designed to hide all of its bolts. Just above it is a custom headlight nacelle, which features a transparent face with LEDs poking out. This light arrangement is attached to the lower chainstays, creating the illusion that it’s floating in front of the forks.
The cockpit features a CNC-machined yoke and elegant clamps, with a small Motogadget speedo and LED warning strip front and center. The brake and clutch master cylinders are Brembo parts, but the fluid reservoirs are one-offs, inspired by BMW’s Vision DC concept. The design is currently in prototype stage; Shawn reports that it’s working as expected so far, but he’s testing the integrity of the materials before he’s fully committed to it.
Shawn kept the R nineT’s stock fuel tank, but fitted a Rizoma fuel cap and custom aluminum rings. “We added twelve machined grooves around the outer rim, like a clock, to honor the milestone of 100 years of BMW motorcycles,” he adds.
The seat and tail section are part of BMW’s options list for the nineT. Shawn chose them because they complement the OEM tank perfectly, focusing instead on reworking the areas below and behind them. A 3D-printed section closes off the underside of the tail, ending in a finned area that’s flanked by a pair of hidden Rizoma taillights and combination LED turn signals.
To keep the design slim, Shawn had to relocate a ton of electrical components that would normally be under the seat. They now reside under the fuel tank and behind the new wing. With the airbox replaced with a pair of SF Spring filters, the frame now cuts a very clean line from engine to tail.
Shawn and Trevor’s custom parts only tell half the story. Alongside the neo-futuristic aesthetic is a host of attractive upgrades. “I didn’t want to build a showpiece that you’d keep in a showroom and only drive at special events,” Shawn says.
“It will outperform any factory model in city driving and on the highway in everyday life, giving you the ultimate driving experience.”
To that end, upside-down Öhlins forks grace the front, with a longer-than-stock Öhlins shock supporting the rear. Brembo calipers do duty at both ends, clamping down on a pair of Brembo’s luxurious T-Drive rotors up front. HEL brake ducts further improve braking.
The wheels are forged alloys inspired by the BMW HP2 Sport, and the front axle is a custom titanium item. A loud box-style exhaust from G&G Bike adds the final touch.
The BMW R nineT’s paint finish matches the bike’s focused stance and sleek lines perfectly. Now that his BMW R nineT café racer is complete, Shawn is preparing to put some of these parts into production.
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