BMW R45 Street Tracker by Dirty Garage

One of the targets with BikeBrewers.com is to inspire others to start building their own custom bike. Of course we display a lot of great builds, but a lot of them are from the hands of (semi) professionals. The shed/yard builders are a bit snowed under, but they deserve an audience too. From now on I’ll try posting these kind of builds more regularly (started this month already with this one, this one and this one).

This bike was sent in by Fabio Montobbio, a graphic designer and journalist from Italy. Fabio, who’s really mad about motorcycles, wanted to write an in-depth article for his online magazine “L’Innovatore” about the custom motorcycle scene in Italy. Next to that, the article should be some sort of how-to-build-a-bike-in-your-own-garage-guide. In order to give the story some body, Fabio bought an abandoned 1985 BMW R45 together with one of his closest friends. The idea was to build a stylish street tracker choosing the right pieces to have a performing and driving bike for everyday use and, the same time, create a cool and stylish design.

The whole rebuild process was based on trail and error and for the parts they’ve involved some of the top brands, specialized in custom parts. Fabio:

“We were not professional, so me and one of my best friend worked for one and a half year to change almost everything…. so we called us “Dirty Garage!”

The result was “Stinger”… name taken from the design of the rear side of the bike. In Fabio’s words: “

Comfortable and stable… Riding this bike is great!” 

A full list of modifications can be found below the images.

BMW R45 Street Tracker Mods:

• full engine restoration
• all gaskets and filters changed
• new powder painted frame, wheels and fork tube
• new sintered cluth disc – Surflex
• new Hydraulic Clutch master cylinder with integrated reservoir – Braktec
• new Monobloc caliper 2 pistons – Braktec
• new Rear axial master cylinder with integrated reservoir – Braktec
• new Cast aluminum single throttle – Biltwell
• new brake and clutch hoses – Allegri “Global System”
• new Tracker handlebar – Biltwell
• new grips – Ariete
• new Digital Switch System controls – Gripace (hidden in the left hand grip)
• new Eletronic Tachometer – Acewell
• new handmade Leather seat (connected with the original key closure system) – Officine 08
• new 3 Lithium batteries – Ultrabatt
• smart chargers and tools – Optimate
• new 2 Single air filters – BMC
• new Titanium exhaust wraps – DEI
• vintage R100 tank “water printed” with a white carbon look
• new Tank Pads – Techspec
• 2 new Mini mufflers – Biltwell
• 2 new Round mirror with led indicators – Oberon Performance
• new Oil temp gauge – Wunderlich
• new Monza fuel cap – Wunderlich
• new Universal rearsets – Joker Machine
• new High intensity LED 120mm driving front light – PIAA
• new Equinox LED 60mm Spot – Trail Tech
• new “Mako” Tail light – Biltwell (mounted upside down)
• new Roadrider tyres – Avon
• new Twin Shocks – TFX Suspension (custom-built for us)
• new Custom Plate – Republique Racing

Follow Fabio Montobbio:

Website | Facebook | Google+ | Twitter

Photo courtesy of Carlo Alberto Alessi.