First released in 2014, BMW’s R nineT is a retro-inspired standard motorcycle that was engineered to be as conducive to customization as possible, with separate engine and chassis wiring harnesses and a subframe and lighting array that can be removed with just a few bolts. Due to its modular nature, hundreds and hundreds of professional and amateur builders have customized the R9T, making it extremely difficult to deliver a genuinely novel take on the 1,170cc Boxer twin — yet that is exactly what Wayne Buys of South Africa’s FabMan Creations has delivered with its latest one-off work, an aviation-inspired BMW R nineT dubbed “Storm.”
Drawing ample influence from WW2-era aircraft, FMC’s Storm project features a breathtaking set of bespoke aluminum bodywork that was hand-formed using an English wheel. Utilizing a puzzle-piece-style construction with hidden fasteners, the bodywork consists of a custom monoposto tail section, a bulbous tank cover, a headlight shroud, one-off wheel covers and fenders, a swing-arm cover, and a full-length belly pan. The aluminum panels also sport functional intake scoops that channel cold air to the retro-style standard’s cylinder heads and front and rear braking hardware.
Adapting the new bodywork to the R9T without compromising its functionality also required a few clever modifications such as a one-off set of foot pegs and an inverted set of club-man-style handlebars that drop down around the headlight cowl, serving as clip-ons. These aluminum handlebars also boast inverted levers, bar-end indicators, and all internally-routed wiring and cabling. There’s also a custom cockpit with an Acewell speedometer supplemented via a digital display, and a bespoke stainless steel exhaust system with custom flush-mounting triple-port mufflers integrated into either side of the build’s belly pan.
Meticulously built over the course of eight months, FabMan Creation’s BMW R nineT-based Storm project is now for sale with an asking price of €25,000 (~$30,740). Those interested in purchasing this stunning one-off build — or commissioning their own bespoke motorcycle from the South African shop — can contact the company via its website.
