It starts as just a couple of friends sharing their love of bikes over a beer or two, next they’re discussing the kind of motorcycle that might make for a good project, maybe go halves and save some cash. Then, before you know it, they’ve opened a garage, created a brand and built a few bikes. That’s the short and simple version of how two motorbike-mad mates from Lithuania started their own custom bike company, B Custom Cycle. Lukas and Marius might work by day in finance and production planning, but all their spare time is spent in a garage they acquired back in 2022, in their nation’s capital, Vilnius. Both will tell you that bike building is still their hobby, but this cafe’d BMW R80 RT proves they have a bright future ahead, should they choose to go full-time.

One of the things we love about meeting builders from all corners of the globe is learning about the unique challenges they have to overcome to bring their dreams into reality. Lithuania has a very strong motorcycle culture, but parts for a cafe racer style build are not available through overnight delivery, as they are in many other parts of the world. The upside is that those who can’t simply order parts to bolt-on, don’t end up with a cookie-cutter end product. And then there is another challenge for Lukas and Marius, given they both work full time in demanding jobs, time just isn’t on their side, so this build took them five years.

They always knew it would be a BMW that they would craft, their love for the R and K bikes runs strong, but another challenge they faced was finding a suitable donor bike. But you have to work with what you can get your hands on, even if that is “completely dirty and muddy, it had all the possible problems, was not running properly, and it had been blacked out because of the rust. Many parts have been cut off because it was so rusty we were not able to unscrew the bolts.” Not ideal, but it all further demonstrates just how committed the two are to bike building and meant they’d have to find innovative ways to reach their end goal.

Having had to cut the bike up just to get it stripped down, no stone would be left unturned, so the frame was taken back to bare metal by giving it a good, hearty sand blasting. It really is the only way to see how far the rust had rotted the metal, and the subframe was done for. The bearings in the headstock were yanked out, as were those in the swingarm pivot and both sets were replaced with new items. But while the frame remains ’80s steel, the subframe just might be the most innovative, modern design we’ve seen. Running off the back of the frame is a single seat post, CNC-machined and strong as an Ox.

But over the top is where it really gets interesting, the seat base is CNC machined too, and it serves as the support for the seat, the mounting point for the tail cowl, the sides are out turned for style and all of the paths ways for the wiring are laid out in the design. It’s really worth spending some time on the guy’s Instagram page studying the work, and that cowl is equally deserving of attention too. The funky shape is actually 3D printed and helped inspire the bike’s name, ‘Fugu’, big body, tiny tail! And as if they hadn’t gone far enough on the innovation front, the lighting section in the rear end is made up of a CNC surround, with an LED light at the centre.

The rest of the bodywork is far more conventional, with the fuel tank stripped and given a new lining treatment, before being kitted out with a machined filler cap. While the front fender is heavily bobbed and sits on a custom made mount. A host of neat brackets were cut, for everything from the headlight, speedo and number plate, all of which were finished in a crinkle style black finish. The frame and swingarm are hit with a stunning gloss black, while the hand-stitched leather seat is beautifully contrasted by the metallic paint, with just a very subtle pinstripe to set it off.

Given the engine wasn’t even running when the guys got the bike, they had their work cut out for them, but they’ve gone to town to make sure the BMW has that famous Bavarian reliability. From big jobs like vapour blasting the outside, to painstakingly rebuilding the petcocks and carbs with all new parts, no stone has been left unturned. The final drive has been rebuilt, as has the gearbox with a new TRW clutch, and there isn’t a seal or gasket that hasn’t been given an update. The chokes are made by hand, but it’s all modern tech on the electronics front, with a Rick’s reg/rec, lithium battery and onboard charger in a custom box. Then, to finish out the brilliant Boxer, the exhaust is a combination of titanium headers and a trick set of stainless Ironhead mufflers.

Slowly working their way through the bike, all of the little bits have been taken care of, the braking, for example, is completely refreshed. From the Serie Oro floating discs and rebuilt Brembo calipers, to the Venhill lines and Ferodo pads, nothing about this build is rushed. The front wheel was replaced, before each end was powder-coated and wrapped in new Continental tyres.

While the suspension is completely overhauled front and rear with NOS parts, the front getting lowered to gain the stance the boys were after. Finally, a wiring loom was built from scratch, and then the Motogadget catalogue unleashed, making troubleshooting a breeze. It might have been five years in the making, but it’s taught the boys of B Custom Cycle a world of knowledge, and many of the cool parts on ‘Fugu’ will soon be available to the public.  

[ B Custom Cycle | Photos by Arnas Tamkevicius ]