Photos: Paul van Mondfrans Lindén
1985 BMW R80 ‘Latte Stormtrooper’ By Ironwood
Ironwood Motorcycles has seen exponential growth since their inception in 2012, and with a slew of BMW builds under their belt, it’s an understatement to say that the custom bike builder isn’t fond of the iconic platform. Now, they’ve decided to focus on a 1985 R80 variant for their most recent project — combining sleek, airhead-inspired characteristics and a themed colorway as an homage to Empire’s fabled footsoldiers.
The ‘85 R80, aptly named the “Latte Stormtrooper,” is a coffee (and Star Wars) inspired Beemer that blends the comfortable feel that’s often associated with cruiser bikes, with a more pronounced bobber design. As a part of the company’s “Stormtrooper Series” of bikes, the monoshock R80 is famous for its high-end stance, vintage compound rubber tires, and idealistic build principle. To bring the bike into the realm of the builder, the frame and rear disc wheel of the bike were powder coated and adorned in handsome Ironwood branding alongside an Audi Mocha Latte colorway. A newly acquired YSS rear shock, Renthal Fatbar, and Motone controls give the bike an enticingly modern look, while an upswept BMW R nineT Akrapovic muffler serves to provide an aggressive sound and silhouette — referencing the daunting power of Star Wars’ most feared footmen.
