Calling Robert Sabel a purist would be missing the point. His Los Angeles-based shop, Roughchild Motorcycles, works exclusively on BMWs, without ever straying too far from their original looks. But their builds are more than just restoration jobs; they might look vintage on the surface, but they’re loaded with stealthy modern upgrades.
?We sympathetically combine the latest technology with classic aesthetics,? explains Robert. Now Roughchild has pushed that philosophy to the limit, by taking their signature RSWB (Reisesport Short Wheel Base) design and kitting it with every upgrade in their arsenal. The build combines a 1970 BMW R75/5 chassis with a 1993 BMW R100R engine, and it’s an absolute stunner.

?This bike is a love letter to the airhead,? says Robert. ?Yes, it?s custom, but done in such a way that it honors the original design in a refined manner. We?re not looking for extreme, we?re aiming for extremely refined, with a focus on safety, compliance and reliability.? ?In this instance, we?ve taken the earliest frame and put the latest engine in it, a cool 23 years apart. Then incorporated top of the line suspension and brake components to make the extra power usable all of the time. Modern electronics on an entirely rebuilt and upgraded drivetrain optimize the experience.?

One look at this build’s spec sheet proves that Robert isn’t overstating things. There isn’t an inch of this airhead that hasn’t been improved in some way?st...