We’re kicking things off with something fast this week: a race-bred BMW boxer that’s been made street legal. We’ve also got a trials-style Royal Enfield from Los Angeles, an electric speedway bike from Denmark, a folding scooter from the 60s, and rumors of a new modern classic from Kawasaki.

BMW Boxer racer by Boxer Moto These days, classic BMW cafe racers are a dime a dozen. But how about a custom-built boxer-powered race bike, loaded with top-shelf parts, that’s been made street legal" That’s more like it.
This unique machine belongs to Eiichi Tanaka in Japan, and was built by Koji Yamauchi at the BMW specialist shop, Boxer Moto. Tanaka-san first raced the bike in 1993?but at 67 years old, he’s left racing behind him. So he’s converted it for street use, turning it into one of the most over-qualified cafe racers we’ve seen.
The bike’s built around a frame from the Dutch frame maker, Bakker, featuring square aluminum sections for rigidity and lightness. The motor’s a 980 cc unit with rare Krauser four-valve heads, an Edelweiss camshaft and 39 mm FCR carbs. It makes 84 hp and 88 Nm, and sits high in the frame for extra cornering clearance.

Power’s sent to the back wheel via a Paralever final drive-slash-swingarm, hooked up to a WP Suspension shock. The wheels are 17? JB-Power Magtan units, with fully adjustable upside-down forks up front. There are modern Brembo brakes at both ends too.
Tanaka-sa...