The Malle Mile is an occasion stuffed to the brim with quirky bikes. But when there’s one factor you wouldn’t anticipate to see there, it’s a three-wheeled BMW R100 wrapped in classic automobile-like bodywork.
We noticed this fabulous oddball whereas wandering across the Malle Mile’s competition grounds final month. It appeared surprisingly at dwelling in opposition to the backdrop of the Lincolnshire countryside, with its retrofuturistic sci-fi vibe. Naturally, we needed to discover out extra—so we tracked down the builder, Tim Cumper.
Tim’s a prototype mannequin maker by day, however he works on customized bikes and furnishings after hours. His workshop identify is particularly apt, given how wild his creativeness is; Cumpert Contraptions.
“The three-wheeler was impressed by pre-war racing vehicles, which I’m an enormous fan of,” he tells us. “Once I began this mission again in 2012, Morgan had simply launched their new 3 Wheeler. However the primary drive for this mission, was that I needed to strive my hand at sheet aluminum fabrication.”
Beneath all that bodywork lies the bones of a 1993-model BMW R100R Mystic, mated to an ATV entrance finish. And as you’d think about, it took some engineering to get proper. “The quad entrance finish is made in sq. sections, and the BMW body is spherical,” Tim explains.
Fortunately each frames are comparable in width, so the primary job was to line them up. Tim began by becoming a pair of re-laced Austin 7 wheels up entrance, then he propped each ends as much as line them up and gauge the wheelbase. Some deft TIG-welding work noticed to the remainder.
A lot of the ATV’s entrance finish continues to be intact, together with its steering linkage, suspension arms and shocks (although Tim plans to improve these). The ATV’s disc brakes are in play too, whereas the rear rear finish nonetheless makes use of the BMW’s drum brake and wheel. The rear shock is a Hagon unit that was already fitted to the donor bike.
The opposite modification that’s very well hidden, is the boxer motor’s new mounting place. Tim needed to maneuver it ahead, so he fabricated new attachment factors for the OEM via bolts to mount to. Then he constructed an additional linkage to switch energy to the inventory driveshaft.
What is on full show, is the BMW’s beautiful bodywork. Tim had already produced a number of idea sketches of his three wheeler—so, as soon as the chassis was full, he began fine-tuning his concepts utilizing CAD software program.
Having a digital render was helpful in additional methods than one. First off, it allowed Tim to CNC-machine a one third scale mannequin of his thought. Subsequent, it helped him create picket bucks to hammer out the panels on.
“That is my first sheet steel mission,” says Tim, “so I designed the form of the three wheeler to be primarily easy kinds. A lot of the physique was made utilizing a curler, whereas the entrance grill and aspect pods have been hammered over MDF bucks, with a little bit of English wheeling to easy issues up. Essentially the most difficult half was the rear part, which is produced from round six components.”
Tim additionally admits that he constructed the bike extra for seems to be than practicality. Every panel bolts to an inside body through a mess of domed head screws. Which implies that even probably the most fundamental of companies might take some time.
Setting the necessity to personal a powered screwdriver apart, the bodywork is breathtaking, with hints of Star Wars car design bleeding via. Tim’s added some elegant particulars too—like CNC-machined aspect gills that reference the enduring BMW 507.
Above the unmissable entrance grill sits a repurposed Kawasaki Versys windscreen, mounted on customized stays. Out again is the seat pad and fabric from a Triumph Bobber, mounted on a hand-crafted pan. In between are a plethora of tidy touches that present simply how well-thought this machine is.
Up prime, Tim’s retained unique components just like the switches and tachometer, giving a classic air to the bike. The tacho’s been remounted right into a bulged dashboard on prime of the tank, with the unique BMW key sitting just under it. In the event you’re on the lookout for the gas cap, it’s between the handlebars and display.
Different modifications embody a Daytona speedo, a Honda brake lever, and a full rewire with a Motogadget management field. Decrease down are a set of Yamaha BT1100 silencers—however Tim solely fitted these not too long ago, as a result of he took the bike to an occasion that had a noise restrict.
Tim calls this a shed construct, however he’s unnecessarily modest—particularly when you think about that he did every part on this mission himself, save for the pin-striping. He’s additionally trustworthy in regards to the bike’s capabilities…
“Dealing with is odd at finest,” he admits. “It’s going to raise a wheel on cornering, so it’s good to transfer your weight in direction of the within wheel when turning.”
“I’ve a listing of dealing with mods to strive now. I feel the seat wants decreasing and deal with bars rising a bit to make it simpler to maneuver round and see the place you’re going, plus I’d wish to strive an anti-roll bar on the entrance.”
“Additionally some extra follow can be helpful.”
Cumpert Contraptions | Instagram | Photos by Gregory George Moore
