When we first clapped eyes on this unusually styled BMW, we assumed it came from a pro workshop. The finish is immaculate, the proportions are unconventional but perfectly judged, and the girder fork is a minor feat of engineering.
So we were surprised to discover that this bike comes from a pair of first-time builders: Tiago Gonçalves and Luis Gonçalves of Portugal, who are friends rather than brothers.

Like many builds, the story begins with a Sunday motorcycle ride. ?We went to the westernmost point of the European mainland, Cabo da Roca,? the guys tell us.
?Over coffee, we talked about our dream bikes, and came up with the idea for this build.? Hence the name, ?The Roca Project.?

The goal was to create a custom motorcycle with seating for two, dark but elegant styling, and using a BMW airhead as a base. The most arresting part of the bike is obviously the girder fork. But this isn?t an off-the-shelf item converted to fit a BMW: it?s been designed and built from scratch in Portugal.

As a concept it sounds odd, but in practice it looks superb. The offset LED headlight helps: ?We set it to one side because we did not want the bike to look like a chopper.?
The rear frame is completely new, and hides a discreet but wide LED strip for turn signals and brake lighting. Eagle-eyed owners of classic BMWs will spot that the foot pegs have been moved back a little, too.

There are new mounting points for the modern gas shock absorbers: They?re now set at a more rakish...