Desert Sled
Starting with a 1973 BMW R75/5 Long Wheel Base we stripped the bike to the frame, reinforced the factory bracing and modified the mounts for the new ignition system. The engine was swapped for a late model R100, rebuilt, balanced and blueprinted, then mated to a 5 Speed Kick-Start transmission from an R80G/S. An R100GS oil pan facilitates the over-sized stainless skid pan. The triple tree and forks are from an R80G/S, as is the high fender and front wheel hub. Wheels have been laced with stainless spokes, 19” front and 18” rear.
The rear suspension is a bespoke setup from Öhlins. Brushed stainless headers feed into brushed stainless mufflers from Cone Engineering. The Mikuni carburetors were jetted and tuned to suit the custom exhaust and airbox. The factory air-box was drilled in the style of a 1977 R100RS whilst the the pulse-air emissions equipment was deleted. The starter was upgraded to a lightweight hi-torque unit to compliment the lithium battery that is housed safely under the gas tank. The factory charge system was replaced with a modern upgraded unit, far superior to the original and facilitates safe use of the lithium battery. The mechanical tach was converted to electronic to retain a stock appearance.
Auxiliary lights have been color-matched to the headlight bucket and mounted to gloss black crash bars.
Wheels have been converted to accept dual Brembo rotors, custom stainless brake lines feed to a later style bar-mounted brake master cylinder.
Factory rims are powder coated Gloss black and clad in Continental TKC80 Tires. The frame is finished in a Gloss Black powder coat and the gas tank is finished in a two-tone Malaga over Avus Black with Glasurit paint and enamel roundels.
