If you’re embarking on your first custom build, there is a lot to be said about learning from the best, and one of their greatest lessons is don’t make your motorcycle a typical ‘Tryhard’. It doesn’t need to rely on noise or novelty to make an impression. Instead, it gets the fundamentals right; stance, proportion, detail, and lets the rest fall into place. For Tony Prust of Analog Motorcycles, that approach has become something of a signature. And with this 1975 BMW R90/6, aptly named “The Gentleman,” it feels more refined than ever.
The project began with a story that’s all too familiar, but no less meaningful. Owner Lee inherited the BMW from his late father, a bike that had carried him as a child and later served as his introduction to riding. After years sitting unused in Florida, the brief wasn’t to restore it to factory spec, but to bring it back to life in a way that honoured its past while making it relevant again.
Visually, the direction was clear early on. Lee was drawn to Analog’s previous BMW builds that leaned toward classic restraint, favouring evolution over reinvention. The result is a predominantly blacked-out machine, offset with subtle brown accents through the seat and grips. It’s a palette that feels timeless rather than trendy, and one that suits the R90/6 platform perfectly.
The stance plays a key role in that. While the stock BMW main frame remains, Analog extended their custom subframe slightly to create a true two-up seat, an intentional nod to how the bike will be used. A custom seat pan was fabricated and trimmed by Dane at PlzBeSeated, while beneath it sits a neatly integrated battery tray housing a Motogadget Mo.unit and updated electrics. The rear is kept deliberately clean with a hand-made fender incorporating lighting, including Analog’s own signal pods and a reverse Bates-style tail light.
Up front, the details are equally considered. The forks have been rebuilt with Race Tech Gold Valve emulators and upgraded springs, paired with Hyperpro shocks at the rear to sharpen the ride. Analog’s billet top triple clamp and bar mounts clean up the cockpit, while a custom-fabricated speedo mount is seamlessly integrated into the headlight bucket. Custom aluminium fork ears support the headlight and discreet Motogadget indicators, maintaining the bike’s uncluttered aesthetic.
Mechanically, the BMW has been given a comprehensive second life. The engine was fully stripped and rebuilt by Apex Cycle Shop, with the cases media blasted for a fresh finish and every seal, bearing and fastener addressed. The transmission received the same treatment, while a VAPE ignition and charging system brings modern reliability to the classic airhead platform. Breathing is handled through Analog-designed Cone Engineering slip-on mufflers, giving the bike a deeper, more purposeful tone.
It’s the finishing work that ties everything together. From the tough and smooth foundation by Southern Powdercoating to the paint laid down by Krossover Customs, every surface has been treated with longevity in mind. Anodised components, zinc-plated hardware, Spiegler brake lines and a Magura HC1 master cylinder setup all contribute to a build that’s as durable as it is refined. Even the smaller touches, WireCare sleeving, custom Hymec clutch setup, billet peg mounts, speak to the level of detail involved.
In the end, The Gentleman lives up to its name. It doesn’t demand attention; it earns it, rewarding those who take the time to look a little closer. Beneath the clean lines and restrained finish lies a deeply considered machine, built to be ridden and, just as importantly, shared, just as it once was decades ago. Only now, thanks to Tony Prust and the team at Analog Motorcycles, this classic BMW is ready to carry Lee forward, continuing a story that would no doubt make his father proud.
[ Analog Motorcycles | Photography by Steve West ]