Open Door to Solitude

Every couple of months, 68-year-old Ed Zevely rides into the Colorado high country to camp for weeks at a time—and he does it completely alone. Through thunderstorms, open meadows and treacherous passes, he finds his own patch of serenity. Far from the modern world, it’s a place where the only goal is to move and breathe, and where you can truly understand the difference between loneliness and solitude.

Open Door to Solitude from Filson on Vimeo.

Ducati Sport Classic by StradaFab

KEVILS SPUTNIK

Either Kev Hill is ruled by a Thatcher-esque sleeping schedule or the guys in his workshop are still looking for the holiday request forms. It only seems a couple of weeks since we featured the last bike from Kevils Speed Shop and here’s another fine example.

Sputnik was built for customer George who spends time between England and Russia hence the name and satellite theme; using a 1978 BMW R80/7 donor. As with all Kevil’s customs the bikes are stripped completely, painted, powder-coated, serviced; with engines rebuilt if necessary.

The subframe is a break from the norm with the rear loop more rectangular, but streamlined all the same and finished with a sumptuous brown diamond stitched leather seat; designed for two-up comfort. The 12v charging point allows George to keep his iPad full of juice while it’s transported around in the matching brown leather pannier bag. To think that there is considerably more computing power in that pannier than that available to the first NASA mission to the moon is mind boggling, and Sputnik’s launch predated that by over a decade.

The fuel tank looks like a normal R-series monolith but in this case the material is a touch more space age than Bavaria’s original mild steel unit. An aluminium replica was fabricated to the stock dimensions, then brushed and clear coated. Side panels and stainless steel mudguards complete the bare look.

Low and wide bars allow George to wrestle his ’80 around whilst the visual flow of the bike is uninterrupted. The guys at Digital Speedos sent over a new Koso all-in-one unit to try so that takes pride of place and makes up the minimal dash. The headlight grill compliments the luggage and scrambler style, suggesting an off-road excursion is imminent. The much revered Heidenau Scouts are currently one of the best dual-sport tyres available; so Kev fitted a pair. A sturdy fork brace sits between the rebuilt forks in case George decides to put the tyres to the test.

To match the pannier a neat leather tool roll lives under the rear hoop, not only providing obvious back up but dealing with the issue of the mudguard to saddle void. A sleek, in-house fabricated scrambler exhaust with perforated heat shield looks the nuts and will provide a bark, while the Mikuni carbs offer more bite.

Kev would like to point out that the emblem on the fuel tank was requested by the owner and intends no offence, should any be taken.

To turn your ideas into a BMW based reality get in touch with Kev via their website.

via The Bike Shed

RENARD’S RETRO-FUTURISTIC BMW SCRAMBLER

By Wesley Reyneke | Rather Be Riding
In a sea of identikit BMW customs, we’re always on the hunt for a fresh take on Bavaria’s finest. And this sharply-styled scrambler hits the mark effortlessly.
It’s from Estonia’s Renard Speed Shop, and it’s based on one of the more modern boxers—a 2006-model R1200S.
Renard’s Andres Uibomae had the R1200S in his workshop and was planning to build a café-racer when a new customer came along. “He recently rode around the world with his GS,” says Andres, “but now he wanted something for the ‘Sunday ride.’ A similar bike, but a bit ‘lighter,’ and with the Renard Speed Shop touch.”

Andres decided to build a rideable scrambler that could easily pass for a factory prototype. With 122HP and 112Nm of torque on tap, the R1200S was the perfect candidate.
It was visually off the mark though, so Renard ditched all the bodywork and began redesigning every inch of it. This meant fabricating a new fuel tank, fenders, an enduro-inspired seat and new side panels; all from aluminum. The seat and side panels have both been covered in Alcantara.

The bike’s stance has also been altered slightly, thanks to a new pair of Kineo wheels (19” at the front and 17” at the rear) wrapped in Metzeler Karoo 3s. Kineo’s unique wheels are both spoked and tubeless—making them incredibly practical for off-road applications.
With no real need to boost the power from the boxer engine, Renard focussed on suspension and brake upgrades. Öhlins shocks and Beringer brakes have been installed, along with a Beringer hydraulic clutch.

Mated to the brake and clutch levers are Renard’s signature CNC-milled switches. Finishing off the cockpit are bars from Neken, a Motoscope Pro speedo from Motogadget, and LED bar-end turn signals from Kellermann (used at the rear too). The headlight is a Speaker LED unit, capped off with a hand-made fly screen.
One of the the less obvious changes is the new exhaust system. Akropovic headers flow into a shortened Fresco silencer, mounted vertically on the left of the bike. It’s connected to two stainless steel cones via custom-made branches.

Renard certainly don’t do things in half measures. The R1200S is loaded with tiny, easy-to-miss features—like the beautifully crafted heat-shield ‘wings’ that visually connect the back of the seat to the side panels.
Our favorite detail is the subtle splash of color on the subframe, matching the light blue from the BMW Motorrad racing motif on the tank. It’s tastefully carried out through the entire build—from the shock springs to the switchgear buttons, and even on one of the swingarm linkages.
The result is a trifecta of technical prowess, thoughtful details and a unique aesthetic.
Not to mention a breath of fresh air.
Follow Renard Motorcycles’ work via their website and Facebook page.

via BIKEexif