BMW R100R Cafe Racer. In the early nineties, the BMW R100R had an identity crisis. BMW launched it as a roadster based on the R100GS: it combined the tank and seat of an adventure bike, but with smaller wheels, improved suspension and some changes to the front end, controls and gauges.
Even so, the R100R had things going for it. It came with an updated version of BMW's single-sided shaft-drive swingarm with a monoshock, the «Paralever». It also debuted state-of-the-art tubeless spoked wheels and the rounded valve covers of the older boxers, which are highly sought after today.
The people at Differs, in Vilnius (Lithuania), have made the most of this BMW. Starting from a 1992 R100R, they removed the bad and highlighted the good to end up with this incredible BMW Cafe Racer.
A new subframe, from start to finish
You can tell they pampered every detail. For example, instead of tweaking the subframe by cutting or angling it, they built a completely new one, from the front of the tank to the tail. They also trimmed the leftover brackets, including the ugly passenger footpeg mounts.
The new design tilts the whole bike forward and, to keep that line, the seat is aligned very subtly. The only bodywork kept is the aluminum tank and a blade-shaped rear fender, so all the mechanics are on show.
There are lots of notable details, such as the Monza-style fuel cap or the custom seat upholstered in Alcantara, a synthetic fabric that imitates leather and feels very soft. The rear LEDs are integrated into the subframe tubes, and there is a small LED taillight on top of the fender.
Aprilia suspension and brakes
The suspension has also been changed: up front, an inverted fork from a 2001 Aprilia RSV 1000 with a custom triple clamp; at the rear, a YSS shock.
The team kept the R100R's original 18-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels, but fitted modern Metzeler Roadtec 01 tires. The rear drum brake still works wonderfully, though not as well as the Aprilia's Brembo brakes on the front wheel.
Engine, electronics and finish
Although it's a very reliable engine, it has been thoroughly overhauled. The exhaust headers were kept and a Spark GP-style muffler was added.
Another very important modification concerns the wiring and electronics. All the wiring has been redone, the electronics are managed by a Motogadget m.unit controller and a new gel battery has been fitted. Practically the whole Motogadget catalog is in this project: the speedometer, the m.switch buttons, the bar-end turn signals and the mirrors.
An LED headlight has been fitted up front, along with clip-ons and ODI grips.
Apart from a few details, practically the whole finish of the bike is black.
The final result is impressive: by taking care of so many details and reducing the wiring or hiding it inside the handlebars, they have achieved a minimalist, clean bike.
Now with its new owner in San Francisco, this BMW R100R Cafe Racer is another big success for the Baltic team. You can see more of their work on the Differs website.
