Munich. In the past year, four known japanese
customizers have put the BMW R nineT spectacularly in show with
their outstanding creations. By now, the project ‚Ignite Straight Six‘
follows, being created one more time by japanese customizers. This
conceals two radically modified BMW K 1600 GTL with six-cylinder
engine of a displacement of 1649 cc.
Another two leading japanese customizers, Kenji Nagai of Ken’s
Factory and Keiji Kawakita of Hot-Dock Custom-Cycles, where in charge
of interpreting the K 1600 GTL’s six-cylinder engine a
completely different way.
The only retained relations to the original bike are engine and
frame, and, in the case of Keiji Kawakita’s creation ‘Juggernaut’, the
BMW Motorrad Duolever front suspension. Kenji Nagai’s creation named
‘Ken’s Factory Special’ relies on hand-made aluminum girder-type front
forks raked out in chopper style using a modified headstock. The K
1600 GTL’s original full fairing was replaced by a small aluminum
front cowl housing the headlight and the stock rear subframe and seat
were replaced by a low positioned aluminum seat.
Kenji Nagai: ‘At first I had a bagger style in mind that grew out of
the tourer image. But simply transforming a tourer into a bagger was a
bit too obvious a choice. So I thought of a different approach. I
settled on the digger style. The long, thin digger style would make
the in-line six-cylinder engine look even more prominent.’
The illusion of a dramatically low seat height and narrow motorcycle
is enhanced by the use of a 23-inch front wheel and a 20-inch rear
wheel. More nicely manufactured details made from aluminum like covers
for fuel tank and radiator or handlebars are completing Kenji Nagai’s
artificial craftsmanship.
Keiji Kawakita’s ‘Juggernaut’ is a complete contrast by way of its
dark, masculine stature. There’s no sign of minimalism here and the
loud and proud appearance makes ‘Juggernaut’ rather looking like a
synthesis of Mad Max metal and Jules Verne’s imaginations.
A skeleton of aluminum tubing broadens the naked K 1600 GTL’s chassis
and instruments at each side of the fuel tank fit neatly with the
military look. Reminiscences to the BMW Motorrad GS range are the dual
fog lights and the front trail-like beak.
It’s a monumental feat and the desired custom finish was, according
to Keiji Kawakita, inspired by history: ‘I found an old photograph of
the cockpit of a convertible that looked like something from the near
future, and I got the idea of making a bike that had that kind of
atmospheric feel. Looking at the front forks and Duolever suspension,
I thought I could do this with the K 1600 GTL. But the actual work was
long and hard, a tough job to handle. Even when I finished, I still
wasn’t really sure whether the work was complete. But that’s the thing
about customizing, isn’t it?‘
In a spectacular way, project ‚Ignite Straight Six’ continues the
engagement and the ideas of the customizing scene in the land of the
rising sun. BMW Motorrad can’t wait to see the impetuses both the new
creations are giving and what kind of new projects the future is going
to bring.
More information on the project ‘Ignite Straight Six’ is available on:
http://ignite6.jp/en/
You will find press material on BMW motorcycles and BMW Motorrad
rider equipment in the BMW Group PressClub at www.press.bmwgroup.com.
The BMW Group
With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the
world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles
and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global
company, the BMW Group operates 30 production and assembly facilities
in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2014, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.118 million cars and
123,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial
year 2014 was approximately € 8.71 billion on revenues amounting to €
80.40 billion. As of 31 December 2014, the BMW Group had a workforce
of 116,324 employees.
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