BMW K-Series ‘Bell Kaff’

Written by Ian Lee.

There are few people amongst us who haven’t looked at the European bikes of 60s & 70s and thought: “those guys really knew how to build bikes”. Italian, German or English, the motorcycles of that age have inspired many a modern day builder to create something beautiful. The bike featured here today has been influenced by all three of the above bike building greats, the Beemer created using K-series mechanicals coupled with old school aesthetics. Built by Larry Romestant of Romestant Engineering and Design, we would like to introduce you to the ‘Bell Kaff’.

Starting by stripping back the frame, Larry fitted special bracing in order to accommodate for the fact that the engine and transmission wouldn’t form a stressed part of the frame. The use of a K1200S transmission, the fitment of twin shocks on the swing arm, and the engine being bolted to the frame required the change in frame design. Lateral arms are mounted using spherical rod bearings, in order to strengthen the frame’s backbone. According to the builder: “The Kaff is very stable, and handles well, the chassis is plenty stiff, and produces a very smooth ride.”

Italian inspiration has inspired much of the look of the bike. While the bike was stripped down, the opportunity was taken to paint the frame in Imola Green. This is the same colour used on the 1974 Ducati Supersport, the famous ‘Green Frame’ model. The fuel tank is inspired by the 74 MV Agusta America, albeit with a less square profile. Following the lines of the tank, the 750 SuperSport inspired seat is finished off with an OEM 900SS tail light.

The suspension system in the machine is a work of art. The adjustable preload shock mounts are Velocette, setting the rebound rate of the late 70s BMW swingarm and differential. The rear hub is something you won’t buy off the shelf, it’s a one-off unit turned from solid 7075 billet aluminum. At the front end sits a K75S suspension setup, sporting a Tarozzi period aluminum fork brace.

Though the brakes are both drums in keeping with the period theme, the front Suzuki GT750 4LS assembly is assisted hydraulically, with the a Patent-Pending under-tank brake mech, that converts cable energy to hydraulic and back to cable. The brake lever mechanical effort is greatly reduced, allowing single-finger lever pulls. The brake itself is modified, with competition level linings, increased cooling and beefed up link arm assemblies for reduced flex and significantly better stopping power than what was available back in the day. The bike weighs in at 529lbs dry, nearly 100lbs heavier than the bike the drum was designed for, so the brake is less than ideal, though manageable and is augmented with judicial use of engine braking, which fortunately, is massive. Future builds will sport 250 and 300mm 4LS drums of my own design, as well as Grimeca and Fontana replica 4LS units, and of course single and dual disc brakes as required.

Performance has been upgraded on the build as well, to give the angular powerplant a little more poke. The motor breathes in through K1200 FI throttle bodies, onto oversized intake runners packing 230cc injectors. Fuel management is Bosch 2.2 Motronic controlled and the exhaust system is handmade using Magni styling for inspiration.

To give the bike the look of 70s period styling, both front and rear brakes are drum units. The front end is a Suzuki GT750 four leading shoe setup, assisted through a system which converts cable energy to hydraulic then back to hydraulic, which according to the builder allows for “single-finger lever pulls”. The front brake unit itself has been upgraded using competition grade linings, ‘beefed up’ link arms assemblies, and higher cooling ability.

By raiding the BMW parts bin and putting his own touches on the build, Larry Romestant has produced a mucho modified motorcycle which is a fitting tribute to a golden age of motorcycling. As Larry puts it: “My goal was to build a bike with all the elements without looking cobbled together, rather appearing as a bike that could have been produced by BMW and would have been found on the dealer’s showroom floor, even with the 1200cc Flying Brick motor that would not be available for another decade.” We think he has certainly achieved his goal.

If you want see and hear this beautiful ‘flying brick’ cafe racer in action, hit this link.

[Hat tip to BMW Cafe Racers ]

via PIPEBURN

garage

THE OFFICIAL DGR 2014 - LONDON, UK.

 via Mykel M Nicolaou mnicolaou@sky.com  – à THE OFFICIAL DGR 2014 - LONDON, UK.

BRITISH ESPRESSO

As you cast your mind back through all of the motorcycles you have ever owned or ridden there are always, inevitably favourites, bikes that got away.  Even with enough new and old models out there to keep us switching for a lifetime, sometimes the urge for a change is overtaken by the want to regress, to go back to that perfect partner you let go. Yet time moves on, our personal tastes and ideals change so why not take a fresh approach with that old favourite.

For the owner of this coffee coloured concoction it was the 99′ Speed Triple 955i that harboured a special place in his motorcycling history, “Among the many bikes that I had, it was the one that perhaps most of all gave me pleasure and satisfaction. Today, after so many years, I had the opportunity to buy it again and I wanted to give her a robe closer to my current lifestyle.”

For this redressing of his preferred steed the owner turned to Marco Matteucci, a man who describes himself as “not a mechanic. Not even close, I would offend the category.” Marco is actually a graphic / advertising photographer who with over twenty years experience in that field decided to turn his good taste and obsessive attention to detail to the art of bike building.

A trip to the Matteucci Garage Website shows why one would choose to trust the self deprecating photographer to build your motorcycle, with  an array of impressive machines in his back catalogue, all predictably, exquisitely photographed. The Triple was left in his able hands, work commenced. The bike was completely disassembled, then restored and rebuilt with a shortened and raised custom subframe with incorporated  indicators and a hand made rear mudguard. The electrical system was re-engineered and new double layer side panels were fabricated from aluminum and pvc.

The seat was redesigned to both comfortably accommodate a pillion and appear as if for a single rider, it was upholstered by a master craftsman in brown leather and suede with a diamond stitched top. The paint has a pearly iridescent finish and the shades were chosen to reflect coffee and cream, referencing the bikes café inspired name.

The raised clip-ons sit either side of a long vintage headlight retrofitted with a modern built in speedometer bearing the Matteucci Garage monicker. “When you get on top of her it looks like you drive a classic motorbike of other times, but when you open the throttle, you are right back to reality.” No doubt the crackling Supertrap muffler helps break the illusion…

Hot on the heals of Gunnar’s epic Speed Triple this offering from Italy reinforces how the Hinckley triple can yield to a more classic line despite the modern sinewy frame. The flat lower line of the tank is pitched at a perfect angle from which to follow with a seat unit creating a dynamic modern cafe racer.

Maybe twisting that favourite old ride and turning it into your favourite new ride is the way to go after all? You can see Marco’s other offerings on the Matteucci Garage Bikeshed Page.

via The Bike Shed