A Look at BMW's Custom Blechmann R 18 Motorcycle

BMW's Blechmann R18 build is a collaboration between the manufacturer and a carefully chosen customizer, one Bernhard Naumann, also known as Blechmann. According to Blechmann, he approaches his custom projects in the usual manner. No preliminary sketches are drawn, and no prototyping or mockups are constructed to clutter the process; it’s all mostly organic.

BMW R18 Bechmann 2

“My work begins by removing parts of the original version until a white canvas remains. As the construction progresses, the design develops,” he says.

Fortunately for Naumann, the factory R 18′s design is one that relies on classic motorcycle essentials rather than complex formulations, giving the builder freedom to make only subtle changes to the frame and utilizing the original mounting points.

“I draw my design directly on the object using the final material. This allows me to directly respond to the requirements and to keep an eye on the proportions at all times,” the designer explains.

In some cases, that meant working backward toward final fabrications. Blechmann said he at first had to “put the cart before the horse” with the seat, rear fender, and pillion. The fuel tank was extensively modified making it narrower, sportier, and employing knee indents to give it a more athletic look. Together with the lines of the fairing, the effect serves to showcase that giant boxer engine even more.

BMW R18 Bechmann

Blechmann customized the headlight into a subtle kidney-shaped design with a filament lamp placed squarely in the center, and covered by a large plexiglass amber colored lens. As a final touch, Naumann and his crew covered the skin of the R 18 with a classic BMW motorcycle paint job-all black and white with white double pinstripes to seal BMW's heritage.

In total, Blechmann and his team put in 450 hours to transform a factory R 18 into a unique piece of art.

BMW R 18 vipcycle 3