The first time the world laid eyes on the BMW R nineT was three years ago?when it was teased as Roland Sands’ blistering Concept 90. Since then, bolt-on nineT parts have been flying out of the Californian workshop.
So we were surprised when we realized that RSD haven’t tackled another ground-up R nineT build since. Until now.

In a different way, RSD?s latest boxer is every bit as retro-fabulous as the Concept 90. That one was a homage to the iconic R 90 S, but this time Roland and his team took inspiration from elsewhere in BMW’s history.
?This started out as a rendering I did based on the 1936 R5,? Roland tells us. ?We wanted to draw from the classic, beautiful lines of the early BMW machines. They really had a very clean, chopped look that I think is tough to duplicate with a new machine.? ?Luckily the nineT is a pretty simple machine to cut up.?

And cut up it is: there’s nothing left out back, save for a svelte new subframe and a solo perch. The seat itself is custom-made?reminiscent of the Denfeld units of old, and upholstered by Bitchin’ Rich.
RSD usually handle all their fabrication in-house?and have done so for almost ten years. But a slammed schedule, and a specific concept, sparked a fresh collaboration.

?I wanted to do a crazy framework around the fenders,? Roland tells us, ?and had been talking to Cristian Sosa at Sosa Metal Works, as he specializes in that type of work. Cristian is an amazing fabricator and solid human being...