This BMW R100 springer cafe racer named “Survivor” is the first unit of a limited edition of 10 units that Lord Drake Kustoms owner Francisco (Fran) Manen has begun to manufacture. The custom build has left fans of the BMW cafe racer motorcycles speechless.
The idea was to create a piece of art on two wheels, and above all, a custom BMW R that had not been seen to date. We think it’s safe to say Manen has accomplished that feat with this build. The BMW R project was originally one that Manen planned to build in his cafe racer workshop in Miami. However, due to COVID-19, he decided to develop the project in Lord Drake Kustoms’ (LDK) second location in Málaga, Spain.
In the world of custom motorcycles, the BMW R100 series are possibly the most demanded and customized cafe racer motorcycles in recent years, but if you look at the end, they all have the same patterns – and almost none of these BMW Rs have a springer front end.
After several months investigating, Manen started from the front end and the most radical way in a BMW R was to install a springer fork (something that has practically not been seen to date in any BMW R cafe racer or scrambler) accompanied by a drum brake rim for a more classic touch.
The other great challenge and perhaps the most difficult thing in this cafe racer motorcycle with a very retro air, has been to create another rear suspension system and for this, the swingarm was modified, the subframe was eliminated and the chassis was modified, so that two shock absorbers could be installed under the seat.
The bike also features a clean handlebar without buttons with inverted levers, a Motogadget Speedometer and a very original and totally unique button panel. Another challenge Manen faced was with modifying the cafe racer fuel tank to adapt it to the chassis and then create an electrical installation that is as hidden as possible.
The bobber-type leaf spring seat support, the button panel located in front of the gas tank, the license plate holder, the battery box, air filter, the exhaust, and the rear fender have all been handmade entirely by Lord Drake Kustoms. Brown leather, white powder paint and chrome plating combined with antiqued brass plating parts have colored this impressive BMW with springer fork.
The bike is powered by a 1,000cc engine with a stock transmission. The front and rear wheels are 19″ and 18″, respectively. Other modifications include the handlebar, cables inside the handlebar, inverted levers, grips, footrests, spark plug wires, spark plug covers, and more.
The bike pictured is the first unit built from a limited edition of 10 units that Lord Drake Kustoms has put on sale and has since sold to a customer in Brazil. Units 2 and 3 are already sold and under construction for clients in Madrid and Dubai, but units 4 through 10 are still available to be ordered and shipped worldwide. See the bike up close in the video below!
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