This is a resto-mod BMW R80G/S built as an homage to ‘80s Rally Bikes that raced at Dakar. A restored and modified version of BMW’s ultimate adventure motorcycle. The bike that started it all, updated with 21st century suspension, brakes and electrical.

The donor bike for this build was a clean BMW R80ST from Chicago. Sharing the same main frame as the original G/S the ST was the road going version of the adventure bike. Stripped to the frame, we extended the wheelbase by 50mm by extending the swingarm and drivehsaft before refinishing everything in glossy Avus Black glasurit paint. The brutal styling of the gas tank along with the Marlboro livery is magnificent, combined with the contrast of delicate touches and intricate details throughout the bike. Period correct aluminum cable ties and hand made brass bushings compliment highly polished factory cast aluminum parts.

The full drivetrain has been rebuilt, starting with a crank out engine rebuild, all the cases have been refinished with a glass beading process before being ultra sonically cleaned. New bearings throughout, a 1070cc big bore kit, combined with long connecting rods, big valve, large port heads and TwinSpark ignition, the bike doesn’t hang around. The 5 speed gearbox received the same style rebuild and incorporates a tall 5th gear.

The front end has been discreetly upgraded with top of the line suspension from Öhlins, a pair of black telescopic forks wear black rubber gaiters in the style of the ‘80s original. Hand made turn signal mounts were designed for the project to incorporate the original boxy turn signals from the original, a design cue deemed essential by Sabel, the bike’s designer.

A one piece combination gauge is housed in a factory headlight binnacle, incorporating a GPS speedometer and electronic tach, backlit by LEDs. The original bike was offered with an optional tachometer housed in a separate gauge pod bolted to the top triple, an element that always looked awkward and somewhat of an after thought. A factory R1250GS wheel hub has been vapor blasted and rebuilt before being clad with new Brembo rotors and is attached to the bike via a custom axle. Brakes are factory R1250 calipers from the same R1250GS.

The gas tank is a Factory HPN plastic tank finished in Porsche Continental Orange along with the Marlboro Livery. Controversially not finished in Marlboro Red, simply because red bikes look better when they’ve faded out in the sun and start looking a bit more orange. Hence, Continental Orange. A custom solo seat has been made with a gel insert and finished in Grey Alcantara to emulate the ‘80s rally bike look, complimented by a sports 2 into 1 exhaust system that’s been cerakoted black. Factory valve covers have been powder coated and finished with hand made yellow carbon fiber bash guards.

Fueling comes from 38mm SmartCarbs, modern carburetors with a metering rod instead of jets actuated by new versions of the factory hand controls. The factory airbox has been modified to increase airflow with a high performance intake.

Weight of the bike has been reduced drastically with the upgrades. As you can see from the pictures the bike has quite an airy look to it with good visibility through the frame. A 2lb lithium battery is housed under the gas tank and is charged by the new modern charge system. The same charge system provides the crank mounted pickup point for the TwinSpark ignition system, with the second coil pack taking place of the original diode board under the front cover of the engine - the same location used on the pre 1970 bikes.