The proliferation of bolt-on kits for bikes like the BMW R nineT has made it easier than ever for riders to individualize their motorcycles. But it’s been a boon for custom builders too. Having access to parts that go on with minimal fuss helps them tick off big tasks quickly, leaving them free to focus on more technical aspects of a project.
This custom BMW R nineT comes from Bu Zheng Motorcycle Club (BZMC) in Shanghai, China, but it wears parts from as far afield as Italy and France. BZMC’s client has been a fan of classic BMW motorcycles since he was first exposed to them while studying in Germany. But it’s far easier to find a new R nineT in China than it is an older R-series boxer—so that’s what he did.
The R nineT might be a modern classic, but it doesn’t exactly cut the same silhouette as a vintage boxer. The owner of this one wanted an aggressive street tracker with bobber sensibilities, but also wanted a little retro BMW style mixed in.
Luckily, Unit Garage in Italy makes an aftermarket fuel tank for the R nineT that’s a dead ringer for a classic BMW /7 piece. Produced out of nylon, it’s a plug-and-play affair that comes with its own mounting hardware and reuses the OEM fuel pump. Since BZMC is also a parts importer, they put an order in and got to work.
BZMC founder Shaolin Fu could easily have slapped the tank on and called it a day, but he had something different in mind. Instead of using the rear mounting bracket that came with the tank, he welded a small subframe onto the main frame rails to accommodate it. Ventilated side panels hide bits like the battery away, creating a more cohesive vibe.
Next, Shaolin fabricated and welded on a new rear frame, taking extra care to ensure that the bottom of the seat followed the baseline of the tank seamlessly. That’s not the only bit of geometric wizardry going on here though. Notice how the kick at the end of the seat mirrors the way the tank dips towards the front, and the way that the subframes between the tank and tail taper towards each other at the rear.
Unit Garage also supplied the stubby front fender, the blacked-out valve covers, and an R nineT-specific titanium exhaust muffler. BZMC employed MS Pro to fabricate a set of titanium two-into-one headers, then added a titanium tab to the muffler to mount it.
A handful of parts from BAAK Motocyclettes in France helped to clean the nineT up further. Shaolin fitted a BAAK battery box and K&N filter kit, while swapping the original battery out for a smaller Lithium unit. The Bates-style headlight came from BAAK too, but BZMC retrofitted it with adaptive LED internals from Motodemic.
Sitting behind the headlight is a slim digital dash, supplied by the German electronics powerhouse Motogadget. DKdesign handlebars and Rizoma grips adorn the cockpit, along with Motogadget bar-end turn signals and mirrors. Adjustable rear-sets with grippy foot pegs do duty lower down.
BZMC decided not to mess with the BMW’s stock upside-down forks, but they did swap the rear shock for a Gears Racing item. The tires are Pirelli Scorpion Rally STRs.
Finishing off the rear of the bike is an all-in-one fender and license plate bracket from Dkdesign. BZMC fitted it with a pair of Motogadget LEDs, designed to work both as taillights and turn signals. And if you’re wondering if the fender is effective at all in the rain, Shaolin assures us that it is… mostly.
The R nineT’s restrained paint scheme scores high. BZMC stripped the bike and finished all the hard parts in black, then painted the tank white. Tasteful yellow pinstripes (a nod to classic Beemers) are matched by the front brake calipers and rear shock spring. A Monza-style filler cap and CNC-machined roundels finish off the tank, with Alcantara and Nappa leather covering the seat.
Anyone can slap a bunch of off-the-shelf parts together—but it takes a sharp eye and a deft hand to do it this well. By cherry-picking the best add-ons and masterfully blending them together with several handmade details, Shaolin and his team have created a cohesive retro-themed build that feels factory fresh.
Bu Zheng Motorcycle Club Instagram | Images by Dawei Wu
