They call themselves “Airheads”, but there is nothing scatterbrained or simple-minded about those devoted to the R series’ classic BMW motorcycles. Amongst the fold are Formula 1 engineers, endless top-trophy winning bike builders and the world’s most famous celebrities who could choose to own any motorcycle you care to dream of. And then there is Robert Sabel, a true modern-day Renaissance man, who under his Roughchild banner simply builds the most beautiful in both form and function, BMW resto-mods you’re ever likely to see. His latest is this Ferrari coloured black beauty, a 1983 BMW R100RT that is known as The Marzano Commission.
This stunning motorcycle marks the third BMW R of Robert’s we’ve featured in less than a year, the others being Brad Pitt’s personal bike and a Porsche Green R90 so brilliant it landed in our 2024 Top Ten Bikes of the Year. And it is clear to see why a Roughchild BMW is such a sought-after prize; built by a true craftsman with all of the best parts old and new, classic looks to die for, and a motorcycle that is simply stunning to ride. Like so many of the best builders going around, these builds really don’t start with the donor, so much as they do with the builder’s immense knowledge of the brand, the product and what is needed to create the very best custom classic.
But an ’83 R100RT is a nice place to start, and any sign of the once touring models’ fairings and panniers are long gone. Stripped back to a bare frame, the first major part of the build is the all-new Roughchild’s custom subframe. It’s practically de rigueur these days to change the subframe, but it’s the way you do it that counts. And this is done extremely well, with a factory-like finish and excellent mounting points, but with much cleaner lines with that hooped tail, which gives the bike that true short wheel base vibe.
To get the bike rolling, the decision was made to use an oversized rear tyre, and it certainly looks the goods. But tolerances are always tight, particularly when working with a shaft drive swingarm, so Avon Tyres came on board to provide support. “They were great and provided lots of tyres in a variety of sizes so we could take actual physical measurements,” Robert explains. In the end, a 150/70/17R Spirit ST hoop was chosen, and it’s nicely matched up with a 120 at the front, ensuring the bike has a real meaty rubber vibe to it. To make these fit, factory BMW hubs have been laced to a pair of anodised black Sun Rims, using stainless steel spokes.
To get the BMW handling beautifully, it’s hard to go past a set of blacked out Ohlins USD forks at the front end, which are slotted through custom machined triple clamps. On the lower legs you get serious stopping power, thanks to the radially mounted Brembo calipers, which grab hold of the big twin Wave rotors. The rear end is just as impressive, fully adjustable Ohlins shocks mean the bike can be properly set up for the owner. But to ensure they look the part, custom-made top hats have been machined from billet alloy and finished in black to capture the look of the classic BMW items.
The engine, too, carries on that theme, with the best of old and new deployed to create a truly potent powerplant. Inside, things have been given a big bump, with capacity now punched out to 1070cc, a sport cam fitted, and the heads feature large ports and valves. Robert favours a twin plug conversion, utilising electronic ignition to ensure timing is always bang on. Fuelling comes from those big SmartCarb SC38s, which look trick as hell and draw filtered air via a classic clamshell airbox. On the other side of the engine, twin pipes run rearward and vent the iconic airhead sound thanks to a pair of reverse cone stainless mufflers. And it’s all kept well lubricated with a big four-litre sump, and a sintered race clutch to help get the extra power to the back tyre.
Then there are the looks, and this bike is simply a classic sensation. The fuel tank has been beautifully restored to capture the legendary lines of the BMW R, but with a machined filler cap to clean things up. The front fender is all custom to work with the new forks, round bar struts holding a piece that is just the right size. At the rear, your first look fails to find that much-needed protection, but gaze a little closer and you’ll see that Robert has added a hugger to the swingarm. Then it’s out with the paint gun and the Porsche expert has this time gone with a classic Italian flavour, the Ferrari Nero Daytona Metallic perfectly offset by the custom badging and subtle pinstripe.
The seat, too, is all high-end stuff, “Made up of two types of foam and a gel insert, wrapped in vinyl and Alcantara in a classic tuck and roll.” The rider then reaches forward to a set of low-rise handlebars, and the fit and finish on these is simply flawless. There is an internal throttle mechanism, integrated switchgear and the finest levers and grips, for the ultimate in clean and classic.
The new gauge cluster is designed as an homage to the magnificent Porsche 356, and the classic cool continues with the Marchal Auxiliary lights, common to 60s Ferraris and Porsches, which double as turn signals. All tuned up and ready to ride, The Marzano Commission by Roughchild is a sensation, the sort of bike that makes you buy a lottery ticket in the hope that if you pray hard enough and dare to dream big, the ultimate R could be yours.
[ Roughchild ]