There?s a definite formula for BMW airhead customs. A few years ago, European workshops like Café Racer Dreams in Madrid figured out the recipe, and refined it over multiple builds.
But very occasionally the airhead formula is ditched. And this time it?s another Spanish workshop: Niks Motorcycles of Barcelona. This eye-catching R80 is called ?Nightmare? and discards the iconic BMW tank. Instead, the visual focus is on the engine, and the machine has an unusually light and airy design.

There are four members in the Niks team, including founder Nicos Marquès and Xavi, the owner of this BMW. The quartet got together in 2005 to build customs for their own enjoyment, and after refining their day-job skills in industrial design, mechanics and metalworking, went public in 2015. Since Xavi is the owner of this R80, budget constraints did not apply?and there was complete creative freedom. According to Xavi, the crew concentrated on ?the aesthetic lines of the motorcycle, and making the engine shine?the essential character of this project.?

It?s a striking look, and one that got our attention straight away. It?s obviously not a bike for long-distance touring, but it?s muy elegante.
?One of the main ideas was to keep the BMW very narrow from the top view, and give it a clean line from the side,? Xavi says. ?That way, when you?re riding the bike, you get the feeling that you are ?riding on the engine?.?

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