Le Hombre Gris
Based on a 1980 BMW R65.
Sometimes, getting a custom bike built for you doesn't always go to plan as our client Justin found out. After a few aborted attempts to get his vision realized with other shops, he called us and the rest, as they say, is history.
The brief was to turn his tidy but bland R65 into a street scrambler that was dark and has a bite to it. Being ex military special forces, Justin chose the name "Le Hombre Gris" (The Grey Man), a special forces term used to describe the quiet, unassuming guy in the unit who turns into a bit of a beast when the need arises.
Although the motor and transmission had been refreshed and treated to a black heat resistant finish, to give it the 'bite' required, a Siebenrock 860cc power kit was installed along with a new set of 36mm Dellorto pumper carbs with black alloy 'bellmouths', the power and torque are bumped up approximately 30%. The exhaust system has to work too but also look great so a call to MAD exhausts in Holland soon had one of their trick titanium low level systems on the bench and fitted.
Big brakes were part of the brief too so our pals at R90X accross the pond supplied the adapter kit to take the much larger 320mm Brembo floating discs and Brembo four pot radial calipers. Accossato supplied one of their lovely adjustable ratio radial pump mastercylinders with integral reservoir which fully compliments the rest of the braking system.
Of course the stock suspension just wouldn't cut it on this bike so the forks were modified, different springs fitted and topped off with a custom billet alloy top yoke. At the rear, a custom set of longer, fully adjustable Ohlins Blackline shocks now bolt to a new stepped subframe. Custom made alloy mudguards anodized black will help to keep the road crud at bay.
A full suite of modern electronics were required so in the bin went the old ignition, alternator, starter motor, coils, wiring loom, well everything really.. and in their place went an Enduralast uprated alternator, Sachse programmable digital ignition with high power coils, light weight uprated starter motor and powered by a super strong lightweight Antigravity lithium iron battery. A new, much smaller bespoke wiring loom now connects up the Motogadget M Unit blue controller to the push button switches, keyless ignition and the new LED lighting complete with a pair of Denali spot lamps. An Acewell multifunction speedo/tacho now gives all the information needed whilst riding.
The last piece of the jigsaw was the paintwork for the tank. As Justin also has a BMW R1250 GSA it was agreed that it would be great to match it in the same colours, a sort of a satin green/gold grey and we think it looks fab. Our go to paint guys Wicked Coatings, as always, did a great job and the airbrushed logo's in the roundel recess, the icing on the cake. I'm sure Justin is going to have a blast around the Dorset countryside.
Side Rock Cycles