Munich/Phoenix/Verona. Custom motorbike visionary Paul Yaffe has raised the bar as soon as once more with the revelation of his newest masterpiece, a one-of-a-kind customization of the BMW R 18 Transcontinental. Melding basic sizzling rod aesthetics with the distinctive BMW essence, this venture is a testomony to Yaffe’s excellence as a designer.
A legend of the US customizing scene:
Since 1991, the customized motorbike world has recognized Paul Yaffe as one of many elite creators of motorized masterpieces. That’s as a result of Paul is greater than a builder or fabricator, he’s really a designer. Beginning with the institution of American Legend Motorcycle Company, which later developed into Paul Yaffe’s Bagger Nation, he has earned accolades equivalent to three “World’s Most Beautiful Motorcycle” awards from the Oakland Roadster Show, two “Builder of Year” and three “Trendsetter of the Year” awards from Easyriders Magazine, in addition to changing into an inductee into the Sturgis Hall of Fame in 2015. His customized bikes have been featured in over 300 journal articles worldwide in addition to on the Discovery channel, the History channel, and different tv exhibits. His merchandise, distributed via a community of companions in six nations, proceed to encourage a era of customizers.
Now, Paul Yaffe reveals his newest masterpiece — a one-of-a-kind customization of the BMW R 18 Transcontinental, which is able to debut on the MBE Show in Verona, Italy.
Preserving BMW Essence and Hot Rod Inspiration.
Before getting began, Paul frolicked attending to know the BMW R18 Transcontinental, driving 3800 miles throughout the USA, and extra 2600 miles to Sturgis and again.
Once the customization course of started, Paul knew he needed to create a giant wheel bagger like nobody had ever seen. Crucial to the venture was retaining as many unique BMW parts as doable. Paul needed his customized creation to stay authentically BMW and knew that it shouldn’t be made out of or look something like components from his present product line.
He commissioned a 26” x 5.5” entrance wheel reduce from a 400lb block of stable aluminium, which holds a hand-crafted 180mm huge entrance tire. The body needed to be stretched and raked to accommodate the brand new entrance wheel and particular triple bushes needed to be engineered to appropriate the path measurement and optimize dealing with.
Embracing the look of an iconic 50’s Mercury Lead Sled the workforce crafted a number of
one-of-a-kind parts and modified present R 18 parts. The metal entrance fender was made out of scratch. The unique R 18 fairing was reduce into a number of items and restructured to appropriate headlight place and circulate into the brand new entrance wheel. To deal with the hole between the fairing and the gasoline tank a novel chin spoiler was developed, strategically concealing the radiator. Additionally, an unique set of Yaffe Monkey Bars was crafted to enrich the general design.
“The team wanted to retain the saddlebag lids, latches and speakers so a new set of ‘skins’ was created to give the bags a completely new and unique stretched profile while retaining the excellent engineering and functionality that BMW had created for them.” Paul’s workforce prolonged the unique rear fender by crafting a second R 18 rear fender, guaranteeing it seamlessly matched the profile of the brand new saddlebags.
As the construct started to take form, Yaffe rearranged the unique R 18 taillights into the handmade filler panels and labored an space for the license plate into the fender in basic sizzling rod styling. He additionally stretched the unique R 18 aspect covers to retain their unique form and canopy extra space to assist the attention circulate into the baggage.
Classic Lead Sled Look.
Staying true to the basic Lead Sled aesthetic, Yaffe prioritized two essential parts: air suspension and aspect pipes.
Paul and his workforce designed a classy air tank and distribution system in addition to a devoted body beneath all sides of the saddlebags to accommodate important parts, together with the required air storage tanks, a large air compressor and all of the controls, valving and solenoids obligatory for the efficient assist and operation of the system.
Turning their focus to the aspect pipe design the fabrication workforce aimed to protect the distinctive “BMW feel” that units this construct aside. Retaining the basic Boxer head pipes was non-negotiable in Paul’s imaginative and prescient. The catalytic converters had been faraway from the top pipes making manner for a bespoke perforated high-flow baffle system. This innovation not solely changed the restrictive emissions system but in addition retained important again strain for optimum efficiency. To additional improve the auditory expertise a precision-crafted
3-step muffler system was launched for reversion. The last contact was a wide-open megaphone, delivering that quintessential basic sizzling rod sound.
It all comes right down to cosmetics.
Shifting focus to cosmetics Paul needed a basic sizzling rod really feel with none distracting graphics, highlighting the bike’s elegant new stance and profile. The emphasis was on simplicity and attract. “We went to work perfecting all the fabricated body panels and smoothing everything to a glass-like finish.” After selecting a timeless deep gloss black end, the workforce’s consideration turned to reaching perfection for the physique. Paul tasked his devoted painter Hector Martinez, with making use of the flawless gloss black paint. Recognizing the necessity for distinction, Paul selected a basic ochs blood purple inside. The artwork is to find the proper steadiness. “The trick is not to overdo it!” Guys Upholstery created the contemporary-style saddle and sprint console and Hector blended up a color for the entrance callipers to match. “We think it came out spectacular!”
Disclaimer.
The autos proven could also be modified and fitted with third-party equipment and/or proprietary components that aren’t manufactured, distributed or examined by BMW. BMW accepts no legal responsibility for the modifications (together with the becoming, traits and use of the equipment proven). NOTE: Modification of sequence manufacturing autos (together with the becoming and use of third-party and self-made components) can impair driving traits! Riding our autos in modified situation is at your individual danger.
You will discover press materials on BMW bikes and BMW Motorrad rider gear within the BMW Group PressClub at www.press.bmwgroup.com.
In case of queries please contact:
Dominic Thönnes, Spokesperson BMW Motorrad
Telephone: +49-151-601-12378,
Dominic.Thoennes@bmwgroup.com
Tim Diehl-Thiele, Head of Communications BMW Motorrad
Telephone: +49-151-601-57505, Tim.Diehl-Thiele@bmw.de
Jens Lemon, Head of Communications MINI and BMW Motorrad
Telephone: +49-151-601-23635, Jens.Lemon@bmw.de
Internet: www.press.bmw.de
E-mail: presse@bmw.de
