Say hello to Blechmann R 18, the latest custom BMW based on the factory R 18 cruiser unveiled by
BMW Motorrad in collaboration with renowned Austrian designer Bernhard Naumann, aka Blechmann (German for ‘tin man’).
Image Source: BMW Blog
For this project he decided to start from the back and move towards the front, the original subframe is retained with a new single seat featuring a brown leather saddle pad, retro buckles and a stop light from Kellermann.
Image Source: BMW Blog
“I draw my design directly on the object using the final material,” the designer explains. “This allows me to directly respond to the requirements and to keep an eye on the proportions at all times. My work begins by removing parts of the original version until a white canvas remains. As the construction progresses, the design develops. I call this ‘rapid-prototyping-Blechmann-style’.”
Image Source: BMW Blog
Finished in classic gloss black and white pin-stripes, Blechmann customized the headlight frame into a subtle kidney-shaped design, while the fuel tank itself is extensively shaped to expose more of the R18’s boxer engine.
The custom project took Blechmann’s team 450 hours to transform a factory R 18 into a piece of rolling art. A time well spent, what do you think of this absolute show-stopper?
Image Source: BMW Blog
