Timothy Somers is a relative newcomer on the bike scene – definitely in comparison with an oldtimer like me who obtained on a motorcycle for the primary time in 1980…
However he – and his firm Powerbrick – have actually began to make an impression on this two- wheeled world, and definitely amongst aficionados of the Okay-series BMW’s. That’s the place the roots of the corporate are, the 80’s to early 90’s Okay-bikes from BMW, with the massive rectangular engine blocks hanging below them – therefore the identify ‘Powerbrick’.
Timothy began driving in 2018, obtained a motorbike driving license and purchased a BMW K100 at an excellent worth. This was similtaneously he give up his job at his design company, having labored on the design and manufacturing of many alternative client items.
Because the Okay-100’s styling was actually to not his style and he had the time, he began customizing the bike in his shed virtually right-away, designing and then making the primary specimen of the half himself. And put each stage of the transformation on instagram, which fairly quickly had a gradual influx of followers, who then additionally began asking for him to promote them these components he had designed.
Powerbrick – the corporate – was born. He began to have the components produced in bigger portions and promoting them although his insta web page. As knowledgeable designer, Timothy fully develops his merchandise on his pc in 3D-rendering. And these designs may be despatched proper over to the manufacturing unit to be moved into manufacturing!
The parts-business truly flourished throughout the covid years. I assume as numerous fans have been caught at residence with a Okay-series bike within the shed, had the urge to make it carry out and look higher, had time to scour the Web for concepts, however then additionally the time to really do one thing about it…
Most gross sales originate from Powerbrick’s Instagram presence, perhaps a bit through Fb, however all with out spending cash on advertising and marketing! Extra just lately, Powerbrick began to advertise the model at bike exhibits, just like the BMW Motorrad days in Berlin and the BikeShed MotoShow in London this spring.
As to be anticipated for an internet-era firm, Powerbrick’s clientele is actually worldwide, with numerous orders from the US and Australia, and comparatively few from its ‘residence market’, the Netherlands.
Over the previous couple of years, extra bikes have been purchased as a growth platform for his components on one hand, and to indicate off the components that he’s producing on the opposite. These bikes are then offered when completed, making Powerbricks a customized store on high of a components design and manufacture enterprise.
Final 12 months (2022), Powerbrick realized two of such full customized conversions, they’re planning on doing three this 12 months after which carry on a gradual however managed development path – 4 full conversions in 2024. Timothy desires to preserve full management of his customs, constructing them in accordance with the Powerbrick model and never restricted by demanding clients. The Powerbrick set-up in Schiedam, within the Netherlands, displays this very properly: a spartan however well-equipped workshop – come workplace and warehouse – in a soon-to-be-torn-down industrial house, and simply Timothy and Sasza, his trusted sidekick, doing all of the work…
Powerbrick produces and sells customized triple clamps, subframes, air-filter units, headlight covers, tank caps, exhausts… All in all some 70 completely different components, all designed in-house, and produced solely for Powerbrick. Principally for BMW’s Okay-series, however extra just lately they’re increasing to the R-series as properly.
And, proper now, Powerbrick stands firstly of an thrilling new journey, taking over Harley Davidsons. For the Amsterdam/Rotterdam HD Seller, Powerbrick is beginning to convert 3 brand- new Harleys; a Sportster, an adventure-touring mannequin, but additionally an electrical bike , the LiveWire. We are excited to see what these bikes are going to appear to be!
