JAX Storage builds an aggressive Airhead…
BMW Airheads might have coated extra miles in additional totally different international locations than another European bike. They had been as soon as the go-to machine for two-wheeled circumnavigators, they usually proved themselves in arenas as far-ranging because the Paris Dakar Rally, Baja 1000, and AMA Superbike.
In recent times, these outdated air-cooled flat-twins have discovered themselves within the limelight as soon as once more, not solely as design inspiration for machines like BMW’s personal 1800cc R 18, however as foundations for {custom} builds from all around the world.
The ’83 R100 you see right here comes by the use of Melbourne’s JAX Storage, a small family-run workshop that makes a speciality of classic BMW (R and Okay collection) and Honda (CB and CX collection) builds, in addition to {custom} components, fabrication, and engineering options.
This R100 was constructed for the proprietor of an adventure-touring firm based mostly in Australia’s Victorian Alps, aka the Excessive Nation. He had two essential standards for the construct: He wished a bobber with sport affect, and he wished it to be Satin Papaya Orange — the colour of the McLaren F1 workforce.
On condition that the proprietor is used to stand-up journey driving, the JAX Storage workforce determined to go above and past a daily bobber construct to forumulate a machine that would actually excite such a rider:
“We didn’t wish to create one other R-series bobber. We knew the shopper appreciated journey driving, so we spent appreciable time to make this proper, and it paid-up huge in the long run when it was accomplished. Therefore why we name it a Sport Bobber.”
Highlights embrace upside-down GSX-R forks mounted with JAX Storage’s personal Fork Conversion Riser Equipment, in addition to bigger 310mm brake discs and totally adjustable YSS shocks for the rear. The seat is greater than most bobber builds for extra aggressive driving, mounted on a {custom} fabricated chromoly subframe, and the bike is operating a full suite of German-made motogadget electronics with a {custom} loom.
The bike now inhales via a set of Mikuni flat-slide carbs, and the bike is roofed in small custom-machined gadgets just like the engine breather and oil cooler cowl:
“Don’t ask what number of hours we spent on small gadgets like this, however while you get sucked down that custom-machined rabbit gap it’s laborious to get out of it.”
Whereas headman Jas isn’t certain the brand new carbs actually translate to 25% extra energy, as Mikuni claims, he says the bike positively packs a tougher punch:
“The 30kg weight saving additionally means this R100 is significantly lighter than what it was — coupled with the improved energy, it pulls exceptionally effectively for a 40-year-old bike.”
Whereas some {custom} bikes ended up sitting in garages and even residing rooms, the brand new proprietor has been placing this R100 “Sport Bobber” via its paces each on highway and off:
“Throughout the first week he added near 800km on it. Guess he couldn’t get off it, which is at all times an excellent factor to listen to.”
Beneath, we speak to headman Jas Babalija for the total story behind this R100 {custom}.
BMW R100 Sport Bobber: Builder Interview
• Please inform us a bit about your self, your historical past with bikes, and your workshop.
JAX Storage was formally created in early 2019 by Jas Babalija, the founder, engineer, and builder. It was created to scratch a private itch; that’s, pursuing a artistic outlet.
The workforce additionally consists of two others: Dom Scarpari, a Motor Mechanic by qualification with over 30 years’ expertise and a wealth of data in {custom} machining, and our Artistic Director, Christina Babalija, who captures all of the work we do.
We’re not simply any Melbourne-based {custom} motorbike workshop. As a workforce and a household, we do 3 issues:
- We create {custom} bikes.
- We provide {custom} components (JAX Storage Authentic vary, motogadget, Rick’s Electrics, Highsider, YSS Customized Shocks).
- We provide fabrication and engineering options.
We’re agency believers that anybody can construct a very nice {custom} motorbike so long as they’re not afraid to make some errors and get their arms soiled.
Notice that we concentrate on BMW Okay and R bikes, and classic Hondas (CB’s and CX’s).
• What’s the make, mannequin, and yr of the donor bike?
1983 BMW R100.
• Why was this bike constructed?
Buyer challenge — they requested for a Bobber crossed with one thing extra sporty. So we coined it a Sport Bobber because it sits extra aggressively than most bobbers, has a better seat, in addition to entrance and rear shock upgrades for a greater journey. It additionally boasts new tech wherever you look, however with an old-school feel and look.
• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?
The shopper offered us with a big quantity of artistic freedom. Two standards needed to be fulfilled.
- It needed to be a bobber.
- It needed to be Orange (Satin Papaya Orange, to be precise — McLaren F1 workforce impressed).
We sorted out the remainder, and saved the colour scheme to solely two extra colors (black and silver / polished finishes). This offers a mixture of old-school and new-school with the daring Papaya Orange, which is what we’re all about.
• What {custom} work was executed to the bike?
1. Full front-end change: JAX Storage Fork Conversion Riser Equipment with 2007 Suzuki GSXR forks, a {custom} brake rotor adapter equipment to swimsuit the unique entrance wheel however with larger brake discs (310mm). The bike now handles and stops fantastically.
2. Fitted out with motogadget electrics and ground-up wiring loom (there’s a full wiring diagram obtainable for this bike on our weblog web page), switchgear, Bluetooth compatibility (the whole thing, actually — we’re motogadget sellers, and love their merchandise so it is sensible for us to stroll the speak with regards to becoming components).
3. Customized chromoly metal subframe to accommodate the bobber seat — however at a better elevation for a extra aggressive stance and seating place. (The shopper is used to standing up on pegs and driving road-trail bikes within the Victorian Excessive Nation — therefore the corporate emblem on the tank promoting his bike tour firm.)
4. YSS Bobber shock improve housing {custom} YSS shocks RG-CB-362-TRCL in a Naranga Orange color scheme to tie in the remainder. The shopper now will get pre-load, size, rebound, and compression adjustment at a dial.
5. Aftermarket exhaust system with shorty mufflers fitted.
6. The purists will hate is even additional, however we ditched the airbox and the unique Bing Carbs and fitted Mikuni flat slides for an extra 25% energy.
7. Appreciable changes to the centre-stand and ride-height of the bike with the brand new suspension fitted.
8. Loads extra different smaller options like a {custom} billet engine breather that we made on our lathe + mill — don’t ask what number of hours we spent on small gadgets like this, however while you get sucked down that custom-machined rabbit gap it’s laborious to get out of it. We additionally made a decorative aluminum cowl for the oil breather (as a result of the oil breather appears very a lot misplaced on the 80’s R100s).
• Does the bike have a nickname?
We merely name it our BMW R100 Sport Bobber construct.
• Any concept of horsepower, weight, and/or efficiency numbers?
It hasn’t been dyno examined, and we don’t fairly consider the 25% energy improve claims that Mikuni make, nevertheless it positively packs extra of a punch than it used to. The 30kg weight saving additionally means this R100 is significantly lighter than what it was — coupled with the improved energy, it pulls exceptionally effectively for a 40-year-old bike.
• Are you able to inform us what it’s wish to journey this bike?
We by no means acquired to make the most of the road-trail aggressive tyres off-road, so we by no means acquired to place the bike via its paces. However the proprietor certain has. This bike has since gone to the proprietor, and inside the first week he added near 800km on it. Guess he couldn’t get off it, which is at all times an excellent factor to listen to.
• Was there something executed throughout this construct that you’re notably pleased with?
The stance, simplistic look and journey that we achieved. We didn’t wish to create one other R-series bobber. We knew the shopper appreciated journey driving, so we spent appreciable time to make this proper, and it paid-up huge in the long run when it was accomplished. Therefore why we name it a Sport Bobber.
Observe the Builder
Web site: www.jaxgarage.com.au
Instagram: @jaxgarageau
Fb: @jaxgarageau
Photographer: Christina Babalija — in-house.
