If I had to pick an older bike to take me on a tour of Europe, I’d choose a BMW R80 G/S. It’s a bona fide classic, but unlike most of that ilk, it’s also reliable, relatively simple on the mechanical front, and still has good parts availability. This particular machine would be the perfect candidate, and it comes from the London workshop of Untitled Motorcycles—the guys who caused a stir four months ago when we featured their R80-based Scrambler UM-2 custom. Untitled had this 1981 G/S in their garage for a long time, but knew nothing about its history or previous owners. “It provided an exciting ride—the shock had blown and gave no damping, and the front forks had no oil in them.” So they reconditioned the forks and fitted a new rear shock, and rode the G/S for a year while they decided what to do with it. “We nearly customized it, but had second thoughts and went for a total rebuild instead. It’s a classic and should be treated with the respect it deserves.”
So Untitled stripped the Gelände/Straße down and blasted the chassis before powder coating it black. Stainless spokes and new wheels were installed, along with a new swing arm, steering bearings and tires. Worn out parts were plated or replaced with stainless items, and a new seat cover fitted. They stripped and overhauled the carbs and engine and blasted the heads and barrels. In went new big end shells, rings, a timing chain and clutch plate. The electrics were tidied up and a new battery fitted, and the bike now looks like it rolled out of the showroom yesterday. Pure, unadorned klasse.
[Thanks to Damian McFadden for the images.]
