Dirk Oehlerking’s title has change into synonymous with cosmic artwork deco machines that wouldn’t look misplaced in an artwork gallery. However the German customized bike maestro additionally is aware of easy methods to construct on a regular basis bikes that stun with their easy magnificence. He’s simply used that method on a traditional BMW R80 boxer, turning it into an ISDT-inspired scrambler for the streets.
Dirk cooked up the thought whereas attending the uber-popular BMW Motorrad Days occasion. BMW was exhibiting a set of manufacturing unit race bikes that had been profitable within the Worldwide Six Days Trial within the late 70s, and Dirk fell in love with the aesthetic. However slightly than construct a devoted enduro machine, he fancied the thought of a every day runner with classic ISDT fashion.
Because it so occurs, Dirk had the proper donor bike sitting in storage; a 1976 BMW R80/7. So he hauled it into the Kingston Customized workshop, stripped it down to simply its body and engine, and began visualizing the ultimate product.
The R80/7’s 18” spoked rear wheel match the invoice, however Dirk wanted a taller association up entrance. So he grafted on the forks and 21” entrance wheel from a 1984 BMW R80G/S, then slapped on a set of Continental TKC80 dual-sport tires. A pair of latest YSS shocks prop up the rear.
For the reason that thought was to keep up the donor bike’s classic attraction, Dirk shied away from modding the body and subframe in any means. He even stored the unique instrument compartment—together with the OEM tire pump that lives inside the primary body tube.
Dirk has numerous years of customizing outdated boxers beneath his belt, so he’s amassed a hefty pile of sidelined components. Digging into that pile produced an R50/5 toaster tank, which wanted a substantial quantity of restoration to carry its chrome covers again to life. BMW’s motorsport colours are inlaid into the tank’s facet grooves, behind unique BMW roundels.
Perched behind the tank is an outdated Denfeld seat that’s been refurbished with new foam and pretend leather-based. It’s flanked by handmade aluminum quantity boards, painted yellow to imitate these on the ISDT bikes. The left panel has cutouts for the BMW’s unique seize deal with, whereas the best is curved across the exhaust muffler.
The 2-into-one exhaust system is from the German exhaust firm Hattech. It’s primarily based on a classic scrambler exhaust that Hattech had beforehand constructed for Fortunate Cat Storage.
The high-riding exhaust, abbreviated seat, and large entrance wheel go a protracted strategy to remodeling the R80’s seems. But it surely’s the classic enduro-style plastics that drive the purpose residence. Dirk sourced the fenders and headlight nacelle from UFO, choosing an all-white end.
The cockpit sports activities a stunning set of period-correct metal handlebars, fitted with LSL grips, and controls and switches from Dirk’s stash. And in the event you look intently, you’ll discover that Dirk swapped the entrance brake from the best to the left facet in order that he might run the brake hose throughout the entrance of the headlight’s quantity board; one other nod to the outdated BMW ISDT bikes.
Fashionable electronics and teeny-tiny flip alerts are all the fashion as of late, however Dirk was dedicated to this mission’s traditional fashion information. So he put in a tiny chromed analog speedo and a set of Seventies-style bar-end flip alerts. Decrease down, you’ll discover a set of chromed crash bars and the BMW’s OEM heart stand.
What Dirk didn’t do, was lather the bike in grime bike-specific accoutrements like hand guards, enduro foot pegs, or an enormous sump guard. “These would solely have been helpful for off-road use,” he says. “This bike needs to be paying homage to the nice instances from the 70s, but additionally be a traditional every day cruiser.”
It’s refreshing to see a customized bike that blends type and performance this properly, all whereas eschewing developments to create a very timeless runner. And the truth that Dirk can play at each extremes of the customized bike spectrum so adeptly is a testomony to his prowess as a craftsman. Bravo!
Kingston Customized | Fb | Instagram | Pictures by Marc Holstein
