Burly BMW Airhead from Earth Bikes…
In a latest episode of The Grand Tour with Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, and James Could, the trio take a street journey via Jap Europe, the place they be taught that Slovakia produces extra vehicles per capita than any nation on the planet, and has performed so since 2007. What’s extra, each Slovakia and the Czech Republic are dwelling to a number of bespoke sports activities and supercar producers producing autos just like the Ok-1 Assault, Matador MH2, and Praga R1.
Clearly, Slovakia has some severe vehicle-building prowess, and we’re completely satisfied to see extra customized bikes coming in a foreign country. Not too long ago, we heard from Ales Tomis of Earth Bikes, who constructed a number of bikes out of a tiny 70 square-foot workspace in London earlier than shifting again to Slovakia to open a a lot larger workshop along with his good friend Vlado Dinga.
Since then, the duo have produced a collection of extremely acclaimed builds on a number of completely different platforms, together with BMW airheads, Honda NX650 Dominators, and the Royal Enfield 650. At present, we’re proud to characteristic their latest creation, a 1981 BMW R100RT nicknamed “Galgan” — previous Slovak slang for “Rascal” or “Brat.”
Returning prospects are the most effective prospects, and such was the case with this undertaking. The group initially constructed the shopper an ’89 BMW R80 café racer christened “Parne Valce” (“Steam Cylinders”), as featured at Pipeburn. Nevertheless, after a good friend requested to purchase the bike from him, the proprietor had simply trigger to return for a second construct, this time in additional of a post-war bobber type.
We characteristic solely a handful of the BMW airhead builds we obtain, however “Galgan” actually makes the lower with the unimaginable execution and a spotlight to element. The body and swingarm had been detabbed and powder-coated, the forks rebuilt and internally lowered, the engine Cerakoted, the subframe changed with a customized unit and Milita saddle, the controls and electrics changed with Motogadget items, and each final gasket, seal, and bolt was changed or refurbished.
Some commenters might bridle on the mixture of drop bars and knobby tires, however the Conti TKC 80’s are confirmed to work effectively on tarmac, and Ales says the bike is a deal with to journey:
“Surprisingly the tires are very snug regardless of the tough look. The seat is gem. I nonetheless surprise that such a small seat could possibly be so good.”
Beneath, we discuss to Ales for the complete particulars on the construct, and share extra pictures from photographer Marian Svitek.
BMW R100 Bobber: Builder Interview
• Please inform us a bit about your self, your historical past with bikes, and your workshop.
My title is Ales Tomis. As a youngster I attempted to journey small bikes however the high quality of those bikes was very poor so my curiosity grew to become solely theoretical for many years. My first undertaking was my Harley Iron 883 in 2015. Then I moved to London and that was the time to begin over. I received extra into the cafe racer neighborhood. My subsequent undertaking was a 1977 Yamaha XS500 cafe racer which I owned for 3 years.
Shortly after that got here my first BMW airhead. At the moment I had workshop in my flat. It was ridiculously small with solely 6.4m sq. meters. I constructed two bikes in there. In early 2020 I returned to Slovakia and based an organization with my good friend Vlado Dinga. Now I’ve 10x bigger workshop and at last it’s large enough to do severe work. This step was already deliberate from London.
• What’s the make, mannequin, and yr of the donor bike?
BMW R100RT 1981.
• Why was this bike constructed?
The BMW Galgan undertaking is a buyer undertaking.
• What was the design idea and what influenced the construct?
The idea got here from a buyer a few yr earlier than. He couldn’t determined form of bike he wished — a restaurant racer or a bobber-like bike. Finally, the primary undertaking for him was a restaurant racer, “Parne Valce.” After a few months, nevertheless, he received a suggestion to promote the bike to his good friend. So he did.
So now was the time for the Galgan bobber. He appreciated our BMW Budzogan seat, so I used the identical one. The reversed handlebars was a little bit of a problem to search out. All of the element we had been discussing on every day foundation whereas constructing, however the aftermarket parts had been chosen by the shopper with my suggestions and recommendation.
• What customized work was performed to the bike?
Body and swingarm:
– Shaved from all of the unused brackets
– Powder-coated body and swingarm
– New aluminum footpegs
– New welded subframe pan
Forks and shock:
– New prime triple tree clamp
– Powder coated forks
– Internally shorten forks by 5cm (2 inches)
– New rear shocks
– Forks fully rebuilt
– New seals, mud caps and many others…
Wheels and steering:
– New Continental TKC 80 tires
– New seals, washers, and stainless-steel spindles
Tank and seat:
– Professionally coated utilizing a 2k know-how
– Customized seat by Milita
Engine, gearbox, and transmission:
– The engine painted with 2k Cerakote paint
– New Walzwerk exhausts and headers
– Engine, gearbox, driveshaft and remaining drive fully rebuilt
– New gaskets, seal and many others…
Gasoline and air system:
– Ok&N air pod filters
– Gasoline faucets has new seals and paint
Brakes:
– New Discacciati levers
– New discs and brake pads
– New seals and paint
– Fully rebuilt
Electrical:
– New exterior wiring harness
– Motogadget M-unit Blue with alarm and keyless ignition and plenty of extra options
– Motogadget Tiny speedometer
– Push-button controls from Motogadget
– Highsider, Motogadget lightning, CE licensed
Virtually all outer bolts, washers, and nuts had been changed with stainless-steel ones. All rusted or damaged elements had been cleaned, repaired, or changed with new ones. There aren’t any previous seals, O-rings, or gaskets on the bike.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
“Galgan” — it’s previous Slovak slang for the phrase Rascal.
• Are you able to inform us what it’s wish to journey this bike?
Surprisingly the tires are very snug regardless of the tough look. The seat is gem. I nonetheless surprise that such a small seat could possibly be so good. The shopper mentioned that the earlier seat by Walzwerk (Parne Valce) was not as comfortable.
• Was there something performed throughout this construct that you’re significantly pleased with?
I just like the entrance headlight bracket I made. Nevertheless I’ll make it a bit completely different sooner or later.
Builder Thanks
Seat: Milita Seats – www.militaseats.cz
Walzwerk – www.walzwerk-motorcycles.de
Photographer: Marian Svitek – www.mariansvitek.com
Comply with the Builder
Earth Bikes: www.earthmotorcycles.com
Instagram: @earthmotorcycles
