One of the most prolific BMW customizers in Europe is Kevin Hill. Based in the picturesque county of Devon, England, he’s been turning out a steady stream of BMW customs for nearly five years now.
The reputation of Kevil’s Speed Shop has spread far and wide, despite a relatively low-key profile and a dearth of decent photography. But Kev’s bikes are well-built and good value—as this 1983 BMW R100 shows—and now that he has a decent website, we’re guessing that business will get even better.
The bike is called ‘Eleven’ and it was commissioned by Luc, a collector from Belgium who has ten motorcycles in his garage already. The biggest change from the stock R100 is a huge weight saving: anything not related to performance has been removed, and the bike reportedly weighs a third less than stock. The engine has been left alone—and with almost 70 hp on tap, there’s plenty of grunt.
Black satin megaphones free up the breathing and a rear disc brake conversion has increased stopping power. Clip-ons and Raask rearsets have created a sportier riding position, and a custom tail section provides the sleek looks to match.
Silver, bronze and cream are not your traditional BMW colors, but they add a touch of old-school luxury to the appearance, neatly set off by the brown-colored grips. It looks good, goes fast and doesn’t break the bank. What more could you want?
With thanks to photographer Andrew Butler.