Custommade C.A. over in Athens, Greece may not have the most memorable name you’ll hear among workshops of its kind, but the bikes in its repertoire are sure to leave a big impression. The firm is a three-man endeavor run by Chris, Antonis, and Fotis, whose skills complement each other in the coolest possible way. What you’re seeing here is a perfect example of what they can achieve.
It’s a BMW K 100 taken deep down the customization rabbit hole, but the project was off to a bit of a rough start. The client was dead set on using a K model as the basis, and it turned out these Beemers are not easy to come by in Greece. As many as six months were needed to locate an appropriate donor, which had seen better days and was in dire need of some TLC.
Not afraid to take on a good challenge, the trio quickly picked it up and took it back to the shop for a teardown. Once the K 100 had been dismantled, they turned their attention straight to its inline-four powerplant. The mill was completely refurbished inside out, and a layer of black powder coating was applied to its exterior for a clean look.
Our protagonists blessed the EFI module with an invigorating makeover, as well, installing new injectors and a replacement regulator. Some youthful breathing equipment was also thrown into the mix, with the intake side of things receiving a fresh stainless-steel manifold and DNA air filtration technology. On the other hand, combustion by-products are coughed out via a four-into-one exhaust topped with a reverse megaphone muffler.
Unsprung territory is occupied by laced wheels sourced from two different BMW models – an R 1200 C and an R 1150 GS. These fresh hoops were rebuilt and enveloped in premium rubber prior to installation, but the Custommade squad also went to town with the rest of the motorcycle’s running gear. Front-end suspension duties are now managed by the inverted forks of a Suzuki GSX-R, paired with Brembo calipers from a Honda CBR1000RR.
Photo: Custommade C.A.
The front brake employs dual 320 mm (12.6-inch) wave-style rotors, as well, and the guys have put just as much effort into the rear end. There we find a SideWinder Meccanica suspension kit paired with a fully-adjustable shock absorber from YSS. A custom-built subframe can be spotted higher up, featuring multi-function LEDs recessed into its tubing.
Atop the new subframe lies a 3D-printed tail and one handsome tan leather seat with honeycomb pattern stitching. The stock fuel tank is still in play, now flanked by two skeletal structures instead of conventional side panels. A small front fender is fitted on laser-cut mounting hardware at the front, along with two lower fork guards bringing the updated attire full circle.
Looking to keep the tail area as clean as possible, the boys placed a tubular license plate holder down low on the swingarm. Billet aluminum rearsets are located a bit further ahead on the flanks, right next to the swingarm pivot. The bike’s cockpit is quite a charm, too, with Motogadget ChronoClassic instrumentation mounted right in front of a CNC-machined top clamp. Then there are those aftermarket clip-ons.
Photo: Custommade C.A.
They’re home to minimalistic switchgear, premium control levers, and brown leather grips matching the saddle upholstery. We also notice a Rizoma brake fluid reservoir and a pair of triangular bar-end mirrors with LED turn signals integrated into their stems. Fronting all this cockpit equipment is an aftermarket LED headlamp bright enough to keep the party going on the darkest nights, attached to the lower triple clamp with bespoke mounting paraphernalia.
On the electrical front, Custommade came up with a fresh wiring harness that runs through an Axel Joost Elektronik control module. A modern battery is present, too, discreetly stashed inside the tail unit along with the motorcycle’s ECU. The wiring and electronics suite is very nicely done, indeed, without a single loose wire or unsightly part left in view to interfere with the creature’s aesthetic.
There are a few other bits worth mentioning here, including a tailor-made side stand, tank badges depicting the Custommade C.A. logo, and a flush-mounted filler cap. Fabricated out of billet aluminum, the latter comes with the BMW logo beautifully engraved into it. The final thing on the list was the paint job, and the project’s authors really took their time to make the livery pop.
A satin-silver base was chosen for the bodywork components and topped with burgundy accents done in a glossy finish. The dark red hue also worked its way onto the motorcycle’s frame, where it contrasts rather nicely against the black paint on the engine. For some extra visual depth, the burgundy accents on the tank feature a mesmerizing shattered glass effect we can’t get enough of. Needless to say, the Greek shop aced this build from start to finish.
A bit of an artist himself, Silvian sees two- and four-wheeled machines as a form of art, especially restomods and custom rides. Oh, and if you come across a cafe racer article on our website, it’s most likely his doing. Full profile
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