Robert Sabel’s title is synonymous with ultra-clean BMW boxer restomods. His initiatives prove so tidy, that it’s virtually ironic that his California-based store is known as Roughchild. However they’re not simply visually neat; Robert likes to imbue them with trendy efficiency and reliability too.
This specific BMW boxer restomod was constructed for Randy Garver—a landscaper that counts the who’s who of Hollywood amongst his purchasers. “Now in his 60s, Randy had reached a degree in his life the place lots of his mates had handed on,” Robert tells us. “He wished the chance to journey the perfect bike of his life now… earlier than it’s too late.”
Robert sourced a 1985 BMW R80RT domestically as a donor for the construct. ”It belonged to the proprietor’s lately deceased father,” he explains, “who rode it sparingly, given the documented very low mileage. It simply wanted, effectively, all the pieces, to get it roadworthy.”
“We purchased the bike at roughly the identical time we have been shifting into our new facility in Glendale, California, an present bike service store. With present orders on the books, I used to be eager to snap it up and get our first construct underway within the new premises. With that we set about our mission—the R80 was stripped to the bones and completely inspected for put on and tear earlier than modifications commenced.”
A inventory BMW R80 makes round 50 hp, however Randy and Robert wished extra from the classic boxer. So Roughchild rebuilt the engine with a 1,070 cc equipment from the BMW big-bore specialist, Siebenrock. Together with the bump in displacement, they added an upgraded cam and a twin spark ignition system.
The Eighties boxer motor now pushes out 75 hp (as verified on a dyno), and nonetheless makes use of its authentic airbox for reliability’s sake. It additionally appears model new on the skin, completed in black with contrasting fins in all the best locations, and adorned in customized Roughchild branding.
Take a peek beneath the motor, and also you’ll spot a protracted and low oil pan. “That’s a particular piece, made out of magnesium,” says Robert. “It has all the advantages of a deep sump pan with out visually trying deep.”
“Further oil cooling capability turns into an important piece of the puzzle when growing the displacement as considerably as we did. This explains why we used an upgraded oil cooler along with the bigger oil pan.”
For the suspension, Roughchild specced the BMW boxer with Öhlins parts at each ends. The OEM wheels have been redone in satin black, and now sport trendy Metzeler tires. Twin Brembo disc brakes gradual the bike down up entrance, with the refurbished BMW drum brake doing responsibility on the again.
Customized yokes maintain the upside-down forks in place, with OEM-style headlight brackets wrapped across the thicker fork uppers. They grip a JW Speaker adaptive LED headlight, equipped by Motodemic.
A digital Motogadget sprint sits up high, adopted by a set of handlebars that have been fabricated particularly for this construct. Robert wished to maintain the cockpit as uncluttered as attainable, so the lever mounts are welded on to the bars. Different concerns embody tiny switches which might be built-in into the left grip, inner wiring, and an inner throttle.
“The throttle now rides on a bearing,” says Robert. “It makes the movement of actuation extremely clean and, dare we are saying, dreamy.”
The bodywork is generally customary Roughchild fare. The OEM gasoline tank takes heart stage, with a stubby fender up entrance, and a bobber seat for one out again. There’s no actual subframe under the seat—only a tubular seat help that additionally homes an LED taillight.
Ending off the lighting are stealthy Motogadget flip indicators, and a pair of Denali spotlights. “Randy may gentle up a subject and land a small plane, ought to he have to,” quips Robert.
As we’ve come to anticipate from Roughchild, the boxer’s paint job is as elegant as they arrive. It’s a principally black affair, save for just a few pops of chrome and god pinstripes that match the Öhlins elements. Customized Roughchild roundels add an additional contact.
Compact and trendy, Roughchild’s latest BMW boxer restomod additionally appears prefer it’d be a enjoyable journey too. “Randy is predicated in Ojai, California, and blessed with a number of the state’s biggest driving roads,” says Robert.
“His favourite route, he informed us, is a well-rehearsed 60-mile loop. He wished a quick, dependable classic bike that had all of the dealing with and stopping energy of a contemporary machine. It’s a simple-looking machine, marrying high-end trendy parts and BMW elements from the airhead lineage.”
“Our greatest to you, Randy. Could you journey the bike to the final mile.”
Roughchild Bikes | Fb | Instagram | Pictures by Leo Mayorquin
