Powerbrick has the most apt title within the {custom} bike enterprise. The Dutch workshop focuses on making components for Okay-series BMWs, affectionately often known as ‘flying bricks.’ And each half or {custom} bike they make has an edgy efficiency vibe to it.
For his or her newest venture, Powerbrick has upped the ante in Okay-series customization, with a pair of hanging BMW K1100RS café racers. That includes a staggering variety of one-off components, the bikes are almost equivalent—save for his or her inverted shade schemes, clearly.
Powerbrick began with two 1994-model BMW K1100RS donors, then proceeded to rebuild them from the within out. Dubbed ‘Vengeance’ [above] and ‘Lenience’ [below], each BMWs have had their engines overhauled. Notable mods embrace ported heads, enhanced timing with an NGK ignition system, and a hydraulic clutch conversion.
It’s not nearly outright energy. In accordance with store boss Tim Somers, the concept is to create a punchier connection between your proper hand and the rear wheel.
Additionally current are new RC Racing aluminum radiators, with SamcoSport silicon hoses for additional efficiency and elegance. Perched on every flying brick’s inline-four motor is a row of DNA filters; much less seen are the brand new Bosch EV14 injectors. On the exhaust facet, every Okay wears a pie-cut stainless-steel four-into-one system from MAD Exhausts, becoming with a Powerbrick muffler.
Going deeper, Powerbrick rewired every Okay with a Bluetooth-enable Motogadget mind. A NOCO Lithium battery powers every system, with a Ctek charging level wired in.
These K1100s additionally sport a slew of chassis mods. Powerbrick fitted them with new yokes from their very own catalog, every with an built-in housing for a tiny Motogadget speedo. A set of BMW S1000RR forks does obligation on each bikes; one with Bitubo cartridges inside, and the opposite with BMW M1000RR internals.
An adjustable shock from TFX Suspension sits in the back of every Okay. Their wheels are billet aluminum objects from AC Schnitzer. They’re really designed for the BMW R nineT, however Powerbrick made them work with custom-made adaptors. The braking programs use Brembo elements all through, with new brake strains from Venhill.
Quite than combat in opposition to the deeply scalloped, and barely gawky, strains of the K1100RS’ gas tank, Powerbrick opted to customise the remainder of the bike’s bodywork to enhance it. Most notable are the brand new subframes, every machined from a mammoth aluminum billet. It’s a seven-part design that accommodates not solely the {custom} seat, but additionally the electronics, a small rear cowl and an built-in taillight.
The design is tremendous sano, proper right down to the seat mounting mechanism. The tail finish of the seat slides into place beneath the rear cowl, with two bolts hidden beneath the tank securing the entrance.
It’s one in every of many well-judged particulars on these builds that assist them look as slick as they do. “I aimed for better-than-factory high quality,” says Tim. “By machining your complete rear of the bikes from laptop fashions, I managed to make it appear to be they’re manufacturing bikes.”
“I opted for lots extra laser and computer-guided manufacturing components than I did earlier than, eliminating any human errors or inconsistencies. The correct facet of the bikes has fully been opened up, with simply the battery being suspended above the engine. I managed to do that as a result of we threw away your complete loom and redid all of the wiring in a extra environment friendly approach.”
All of that consideration goes proper right down to the smaller particulars too. The cockpits are fitted with Powerbrick clip-ons, Brembo controls, and Motogadget push buttons and bar-end flip alerts. Powebrick rear-set foot controls sit decrease down.
Different bolt-on components from Powerbrick’s catalog embrace the headlight cowls, every wrapped round a Koso LED headlight, plus the fuel caps and tank roundels.
Prime marks to Powerbrick for the matching Marlboro liveries too. Executed in a conventional crimson and white, and in contrasting black tones, every is offset with quite a few color-matched particulars. Royal Kustom Works was chargeable for the paint work, whereas Europe’s favourite bike upholsterer, Silvermachine, did the seats.
Constructing two bikes directly isn’t any small job, and Tim is fast to offer credit score to Powerbrick’s latest group members. “These are the primary bikes that I’ve constructed because the group was expanded with some wonderful guys: Sasza Tuahatu and Sam Clercx. They’re industrial designer college students and have been of wonderful assist!”
As soon as once more, Powerbrick has established that they know how one can squeeze essentially the most out of the often-underappreciated Okay. And if these tickle your fancy, get in contact with the crew and take your decide—they’re each on the market.
Powerbrick | Fb | Instagram | Pictures by Paul van Mondfrans Lindén
