JOEY SUBRIZI’S ROADGOING YZF 426

Images © Frank Bott. Check out Facebook page for more fine motorcycle photography.

BMW R60/5 ‘DUSTBEEMER’

If the name Séb Lorentz doesn’t ring a bell, it should. Séb is one of Europe’s most gifted bike builders, with an eye for a line and a willingness to break the mold.

He’s built two of our all-time favorite customs: a slammed Yamaha XS650 and the amazing Sprintbeemer—the BMW racing motorcycle that triumphed at last year’s Glemseck 101 sprint races.

Séb is now back with another aerodynamic BMW, but this time, it’s road legal. “I was a bit tired of all the naked cafe and Bratstyle-lookalike custom bikes coming from everywhere,” he admits. “So I decided to look for another direction. I’ve always been in love with streamliner design on one hand, and ‘lead sled’ custom cars on the other.”

Séb scouted around for a Moto Guzzi Eldorado or Ambassador, and then stumbled across this 1973 BMW R60/5. “I couldn’t refuse the Beemer because it was really cheap! I also thought it would be more fun to build a German gran turismo kustom bike.”

It’s a short wheelbase model sporting the famous ‘toaster’ tank, but Séb has fitted the engine from an R75/5 to get a few extra stout German horses. The exhaust system has been upgraded with classic Hoske mufflers and power goes to the road via a standard R60/5 gearbox with a short ratio rear end.

Custom parts include a one-off seat pan and new upholstery, which Séb describes as being “temporary but has lasted longer than planned.” The bars are from a US-spec Triumph T120, and are fitted with Posh grips.

The BMW R60/5 is normally quite a high-riding bike, so Séb has shortened the forks and fitted more compact shocks to lower it closer to the ground. But it’s the bodywork that grabs the attention, starting with the magnificent, all-enveloping fiberglass fairing, located by Atelier Chatokhine. The rear fender has been modified to take a 1933 Ford taillight with a grill, and the front fender—not that you can see it under the fairing—is a /6 BMW Police-spec fitment.

It’s the perfect custom for leisurely cruising around central Europe, and pretty practical as well—thanks to the authentic Wixom Ranger panniers. And if you get lost, there’s a little illuminated Hull compass to refer to, a popular post-War auto accessory and far more charming than a GPS unit.

Séb’s BMW R60/5 is probably less suited to long-distance touring than a slick new Honda VFR800, or an American V-twin. And it might not be the fastest bike in the world, either. But I know what I’d rather swing a leg over.

As the saying goes, it’s better to travel than arrive.

Images by Daniel Beres. Follow the adventures of Séb via the Lucky Cat Garage websiteand Facebook. ‘Dustbeemer’ will make its first public appearance at next month’sWheels & Waves show in Biarritz, France.

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Water-wafting: Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé Waterspeed Collection

Rolls-Royce has unveiled a special edition ‘Waterspeed Collection’ Phantom Drophead Coupé in celebration of Sir Malcolm Campbell’s water speed record success back in 1939…

Revealed to a select group of customers at the former headquarters of the Bluebird Motor Company on the King’s Road, Chelsea, the Waterspeed Collection Phantom also illustrates the breadth of bespoke options available to Rolls-Royce buyers. Painted in ‘Maggiore Blue’ – a special colour that extends to the engine and takes inspiration from the Bluebird’s famous scheme – the Drophead also has its usual teak decking replaced with hand-beaten brushed steel, while the hand-painted coachline culminates in a Bluebird motif.

Inside, the subtle tributes to Sir Malcolm continue among the Windchill Grey leather and Abachi wood trim. One nice touch is the new interpretation of the familiar ‘Power Reserve’ dial, which sees the needle sweep into a yellow and blue zone when pressing on – much like Campbell’s K3 boat ‘going into the blue’ on full attack.

The Rolls-Royce Waterspeed Collection Phantom Drophead Coupé will be limited to 35 examples, each costing £435,000.

Photos: Rolls-Royce

You can find both classic yachts and Rolls-Royces for sale in the Classic Driver Market. 

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