As any vehicle designer will tell you, minimalism doesn’t come easy. And Willie Knoll of Clutch Motorcycles knows that better than most. His bikes might be effortlessly cool, but they take gallons of sweat to get that way.
Willie is not the most prolific of builders, but he focuses on quality over quantity. As a former photographer, he has ?the eye,? and there?s never anything awkward or out of place on his machines.

This 1980 BMW R100 RT rolled into his Paris workshop as a 1980s tourer, and left as a classy, pared-down street tracker. In the metal, you?ll probably first notice the ?flip-flop? Daytona Paradise paint, which changes color with the light?but there are plenty of other subtle details that shine.
?It’s not a crazy futuristic build,? says Willie, ?because that?s not what I?m into. I like good lines, timeless and minimalist details, and a perfect running, rebuilt motor.?
Willie wanted something simple and a little aggressive, so getting the silhouette right was key. So he?s binned the original bodywork?including the fuel tank, which he replaced with an older ‘toaster’ unit tweaked for a better fit.
The beemer’s rear-end has been re-worked too?dramatically. There’s an all-new subframe that creates the impression that the seat is floating, although it’s actually supported by well-hidden cross braces. And lower down, there’s a completely one-off monoshock system, hooked up to a Hagon shock.

The stance is just per...