Kingston Custom’s “Spirit of Passion”.
An unmistakable design that sets itself apart from all others, that’s the new “Spirit of Passion” from Kingston Custom. After Roland Sands, Dirk Oehlerking lends the BMW R 18 his inimitable signature with the second jewel in the “SoulFuel” series, a collaboration between BMW Motorrad and select customizers.
Previously, a conversion of the R 18 created by Bernhard Naumann, also known as ‘Blechmann’, also caused a sensation.. *
Kingston Custom of Oehlerking is known for its extreme customizations. Anyone hoping for a complete rebuild of the R 18, however, will take a surprise. «The BMW R 18 is so perfect that I left the technology as is. He chassis is 100% original and so sophisticated that nothing should be changed, ”says Oehlerking. However, the bike has been transformed into an unmistakable Kingston Custom conversion.
The “Spirit of Passion” in detail
He greatest appeal, and also the biggest challenge, is the Kingston fairing. The body is finished in a Kingston handcrafted design, as is the handlebar and the mudguard. He escape of the BMW R 18 has been modified by Oehlerking to the Kingston Roadster style, while the saddle it is taken from the range of universal accessories.
The intermittent have been replaced by Kellermann indicators and the led headlight it is now integrated into the fairing. The original paint and lines have been adopted for the fairing and spoiler, with the addition of some Kingston-style details. The suspension of the wheels and the fuel tank are original. The overall design is based on the classic art deco style.
BMW R 18: the original
Thanks to your extremely easy to convert architecture, the BMW R 18 is predestined for customization. The R 18 has a marked historical reference, which technically and visually echoes famous models such as the BMW R 5 and focuses on the essentials of motorcycles: no-frills, purist technology and, of course, the «big boxer«.
More about the teacher
The motorcycle racer, designer and craftsman Dirk Oehlerking shows once again in his “Spirit of Passion” that he not only understands job, but has adopted it in his work for over 35 years. For him, the design process begins long before the first screws are applied or the sketches are made: “I have thought a lot beforehand. My bikes always convey soul, charm and character. They are exceptional specimens, so they require a lot of care and attention …
I have a constant stream of passing images through my mind when it comes to deciding which style I want to focus on. Once I have made that decision, I start with a pencil sketch and Tipp-Ex. Then I continue until I know in the bottom of my heart: this is exactly it! “
Its tradition
Born in Hannover, Oehlerking already has its own tradition of customizing machines BMW. About 17 own creations of the brand are yours, including the «Black phantom»And its sister motorcycle, the«White phantom«. The two models defined entirely new standards in the industry at the time.
However, the redesign of the R 18 was a new challenge for Oehlerking. «This project is probably the most impressive of my entire career. It means a lot to me, if not everything right now. The trust that BMW Motorrad has placed in me once again it is enormously important to me. I am very grateful for it«.
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