Untitled Motorcycles
With over 100 custom bikes built from their workshops in London and San Francisco, Untitled Motorcycles use their inspiration from the Bōsōzoku subculture taking R 18 customisation to another level. Adam Kay (co-founder) shares their journey and more about the unique design.
I was looking to build my own custom motorcycle after seeing a BMW motorcycle on BIKE EXIF 12 years ago. I met a fantastic mechanic called Rex who understood BMWs inside and out, who then helped me build my first custom over a cold winter in his unit in Camden.
During the process I blogged about the build and it gained a lot of interest, so much in fact that Rex and I customised two more BMWs on spec to see if we could sell them, and we did after about a year. However, in that time we had so many other builds to do on other BMW bikes – and from then on, I decided to give up my other job to concentrate on Untitled Motorcycles full time.
Excitement and fun were my main reasons for doing the style of custom I have gone with. I don't normally do "show" bikes. I love useful and practical motorcycles that look pared back and sleek. However, as we have all been shut away for so long during the past year I wanted something unique for this build.
I have always admired anyone who has the confidence to ride a Bōsōzoku motorcycle. They look loud and are unique from just about any other style of custom motorcycles, and I wanted that for the R 18 - it is a large stand-out machine and to strip it back felt the wrong way to go for me.
I love the high fairing with the cut-outs which allows to show off the R 18’s aesthetics – although, creating the structure to hold the high fairing in place without cutting or welding onto the frame was the most complex part of the build.
The features of this custom will provide the rider with more confidence and the ability to connect with the R 18 - knowing that they have to trust in the bike's innate ability to go wherever they desire.
Find out more about Untitled Motorcycles, click here.
Disclaimer
The vehicles shown may be equipped with accessories from third party suppliers and/or components that are neither manufactured nor distributed or tested by BMW. The BMW Group accepts no liability for the installation, characteristics and use of these components. ATTENTION: the installation of third-party accessories may also impair the riding characteristics! Riding modified vehicles and/or with the installation of the foreign parts shown here is at your own risk.
