Black Bobber began as a 1981 BMW R100, an air-cooled boxer that idles with a steady beat and pulls with calm strength. The plan was clear: keep the heart of the R100, shape the bike into a low rider bobber with a light café racer feel, and make every change earn its place. The donor was tax and MOT exempt, clean, and ready for a full rebuild.
The frame lines lead the design, so the center of the bike is opened up to let the silhouette breathe. A solo leather seat, hand-stitched and set low, puts the rider close to the tank and over the rear wheel for a direct feel. Clip-on bars set a natural reach. A CNC billet top yoke tightens the cockpit.
Biltwell grips add honest texture in the hands. Motone micro switchgear keeps the controls neat, while billet mirrors sit in line with the bars so the view stays clean. Bar-end LED indicators are bright when needed and disappear when they are not.
Stance and grip come from chunky Continental tires that fill the arches without going over the top. Heavy-duty, fully adjustable rear shocks keep the tail settled on rough streets and composed at speed. The bike sits low, reads tidy, and feels planted.
Under the skin the work goes to the last fastener. This R100 has a full nut-and-bolt rebuild. The wiring is a bespoke loom laid out for clarity and easy service. A Motogadget M-Unit runs the electrics with modern precision.
A heavy-duty charging system and Dyna coils deliver strong, reliable ignition. The original Bing carburetors were vapor-cleaned, ultrasonically cleaned, and fully rebuilt, so the boxer breathes evenly and responds cleanly off idle.
On the road the bike feels honest. The low seat and clip-ons place you in the chassis, so the front wheel feels close and feedback is clear through the pegs and palms. Roll on the throttle and the 1000 cc boxer gives smooth, steady drive. It moves through traffic without fuss and wakes up with a clean surge when the road opens.
Details tie the build together. Cable runs sit straight. Brackets are compact and quiet. Small Kevils custom-made parts finish the edges without drawing attention. Nothing extra. Nothing missing. The result is a simple, refined machine that rewards a second look and a long ride.
Call it a bobber with café manners or call it a classic BMW rebuilt for real miles.
Credits:
Built by: Kevils Speed Shop
Project: Black Bobber
Base bike: 1981 BMW R100 · 1000 cc air-cooled boxer
