Two very special custom motorcycles were created as part of a BMW Motorrad “Ignite Straight Six” contest between 2 Japanese builders, Keiji Kawakita from Hot-Dock Custom-Cycles and Ken Nagai from Ken’s Factory. Although both customs have a lot of merit, the one created by Ken’s Factory that I feature here has my preference. The reason? The BMW K 1600 GTL with its 1,649cc straight-six cylinder engine is a quite complicated machine and Ken Nagai succeeds in making his makeover as good as a naked motorcycle built from the ground up.
Constraints imposed by BMW Motored were to keep the factory frame (could be modified) and of course the engine. Doesn’t make the customization process as simple as it may sounds. Turning the high-class BMW K1600 GTL touring bike with ergonomics designed for long trips into a Digger required a lot of studying and planning. Not doubt that the K1600 in-line 6-cylinder engine is the most efficient and compact motor ever installed in a production motorcycle series. So, why not make it serve a machine with a completely different personality, one more in phase with what the Ken’s Factory likes to build when dealing with a V-Twin motor.
Ken Nagai performed surgery beyond recognition, ripping away from the factory BMW comfort by chopping anything ornamental and unnecessary, emphasizing only the 6-cylinder engine. Hundreds of pounds were shaved with the bike going from over-dressed to raw and aggressive looking, emphasizing the K1600’s powerplant architecture.
Frame neck was raked to install, chopper style, a one-off aluminum girder-type front end. Bodywork is hand-made from aluminum with a special mention for merit to the fabricated front cowl housing incorporating the headlight, then the rear sub-frame and the low seat. The “Ken’s Factory Special” BMW now rolls on a beautiful 23-inch front and a 20-inch rear wheel. A cool machine proving again that whatever brand and factory model you end up with, anything and everything is always possible to make it to your own taste and purpose. Ken’s Factory. (photos courtesy BMW Motorrad for Cyril Huze)
Sweet piece. Later Jay
That ain’t Grand Pa’s Beemer (:-)
I know a little about BMW. Tough job to accomplish this.
Gracefully brutal.
It aint …. another Retro Metro ‘Hipster’ Cafe Racer
It aint…… another Retro Metro ‘Hipster’ Scrambler
It aint …..even yet another Retro Metro ‘ Hipster ‘ excuse of a ‘ Bobber ‘
So whether its completely to my tastes or what ever it is … is completely irrelevant .
Cause what it is is Original … Different … and extremely well done !
” Gracefully Brutal ” to borrow Mr Greenwald’s words summing it up quite nicely
A lot to chew on. At first blush, as fine an example of CAD augmented motorcycle styling as I can recall. That’s real praise in this time and place.
OTOH I’m too ancient to ever get comfortable with the words aluminum and girder in the same sentence.
Well done Ken. Can’t wait to see it in person.
Great Job Ken! I hope you can bring it to this year’s 2015 LA Calendar Motorcycle Show to pick up another Best of Show trophy to add to you collection? 🙂
Originality and bad ass from a Beemer…Quite a feat and nicely done.
Great design, great execution, you continue to amaze me. Great to see you at JOINTS Japan!
Now that is a “muscle bike” !!!!
I don’t like “Beemers”, but that bike is cool !!!!
Very Nice, Ken !!!!
I think this is one of the best customs I have seen for a long time.
Thank you Cyril .
Always great article .And Thank you for many positive response !
Great looking bike, love the long low lines. I really like the girder front end and the style of the front wheel too, kind of reminds me of the Halibrands.
Ken, your bikes are always amazing. This one takes you to a whole new level. A true pro builder indeed. BMW is lucky to have you. Well done and congrats.
I want to ride this bike. Very cool.
Words can not express the talent and the grace you have made in a BMW big block,excellent job…
Its interesting….not sure what to call this….
Ken :: You rule. Period.
Now, can you let us in on those wheels, like the same ones used on the Blow’n Digger???/
badams
You can get them(Blown diggers wheel) thru Kensfactory USA .
Far out, man!
Oh Ken, I am so happy, and the fact you are 20 minutes away! I’ll be in touch!
WAY COOL….!!!!
-nicker-
Ken I am just seeing this article now. Ken, BMW Engineers could never GET THIS, or Design this without your Over the Top design, Fabrication & Presentation, without Your doing a NUMBER 1. Their investment in you is Cheap in retrospect ! This BMW Custom was beyond their Design Team until you did this UNBELIEVABLE CUSTOM. This Bike will be at their Shows as a show Stopper for BMW and a Concept that will never be produced. Ken, I like BMW’s cause they are the best Motorcycle Manufactured in the World. I am a V-Twin lover also, but the quality and design of BMW’s are supreme. Ken you have built a Masterpiece. Cyril thanks for the Article and your insight into Quality and not being predjusted in reviews of only V-Twins .