PressClub Belux · Article.
BMW Motorrad presenteert de volgende SoulFuel Bike
Mon Nov 08 17:00:00 CET 2021 Persbericht
Uniek, anders en toch helemaal BMW R 18 - dat is "The Wal", de nieuwste creatie van de Japanse customizer Shinya Kimura.
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Jeroen Lissens
BMW Group
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Munich. Unique, different and yet completely BMW R 18 - that’s "The Wal", the latest creation by Japanese customizer Shinya Kimura. After Roland Sands and Dirk Oehlerking, Kimura is the third customizer to transform the R 18 into an extraordinary unique specimen for the "SoulFuel" series. "SoulFuel" is a collaboration between BMW Motorrad and selected customizers.
Until recently, Shinya Kimura worked mainly on older
motorcycles, but the Japanese customizer is increasingly also
devoting himself to projects involving modern bikes.
"The Wal" is one of them. “The basis is the R 18,
powered by the latest and greatest engine I have ever worked on. It
all started with a visit to the BMW Motorrad R 18 development team
in Germany. I got to know the unbounded passion and innovative power
that prevails at BMW Motorrad. Finally, in February 2021 in
California, I rode the standard R 18 for a few hundred kilometres to
get to know the character of the bike. Following a whole series of
conversations, this eventually led to my personal interpretation of
the R 18, in which I applied the entire range of my activities as a
customizer," says Shinya Kimura, recounting the initial phase
of "The Wal" project.
Kimura then began work in
mid-February and "The Wal" was already built up by the end
of June. "But there were still some mechanical problems that
kept me busy for another two weeks," Kimura continues.
Kimura’s motorcycles are created exclusively “hands-on”
Shinya Kimura's craftsmanship can be aptly described by the
term "hands-on", as there are no sketches, drawings,
blueprints or mock-ups during the building process. But there is a
precise idea of what the customer, or in this case the customizer, wants.
"I built the R 18 entirely for myself. When I rode the
production R 18, I thought it might suit my build and riding
preferences better if I designed it to be a little more front-facing
with a fairing. I decided to adopt the frame, wheels and tyres as
well as suspension elements and brakes because I didn't feel the
need to change them after I had ridden the bike. I also wanted to be
able to ride for long distances with my R 18 while feeling and
enjoying the legendary boxer engine. It was very important to me to
preserve the two characters of the R 18 as I experienced them when
riding. Thanks to its mighty engine, the bike is wild and has almost
inexhaustible power on the one hand, yet it is completely
good-natured on the other. Just like a whale, hence the German
animal name for this R 18, which for me is something like a
"Sports Endurancer"," Kimura explains.
The "Sports Endurancer" is unmistakably evident in
Kimura's R 18 "The Wal". This is ensured by a larger and,
completely differently designed fuel tank compared to the original,
an elongated, harmoniously rounded seat hump and a half-shell fairing.
"I also moved the foot rests back about two inches to
have more flexibility for positioning the legs. At the same time, I
lowered the handlebars and changed the seat to my liking. The seat
cushion was also designed by me and then handmade by BACKDROP
Leathers in Japan. It all added up to the very natural posture that
I like," Kimura continues.
The semi-shell fairing houses two asymmetrically arranged
headlights that almost look like eyes and, with a little
imagination, actually give Kimura's R 18 the appearance of a whale
together with a "set of teeth" incorporated underneath.
The colour scheme and the coarsely textured paintwork also match the
theme of "The Wal". In short: "The Wal" R 18 is
an “animal” of a bike. Powerful, mighty, but always good-natured.
"What I like best about my version of the R 18 is that I
was able to change the style and seating position to my liking
without destroying the excellent original functionality of the R 18.
But drastically changing the seating position and adding my own
style and taste was a big challenge in my interpretation of the BMW
Heritage. Besides, all these computerised systems and wiring were
quite new to me and I learned a lot," says Kimura, pleased with
the result of his work.
Hard facts about the R 18 customising project "The Wal":
- Handlebars: 8 inches narrower, 6 inches lower.
- Fuel tank: Made longer to move the seating position rearward and gain additional fuel capacity of about 1 gallon for longer trips.
- Seat pad designed by Kimura himself, handmade by BACKDROP Leathers in Japan in bucket style for more bottom support.
- Seat designed so that it creates a natural flow from the seat cushion and leads to the round rear light.
- Semi-shell fairing for comfortable handling at high speed.
- The side covers have been designed in such a way that they do not destroy the look of the original frame.
- Special paint finish in the form of a bronze powder coating, after the components have previously been hammered to give the surface texture.
- After Kimura had completed all the bodywork, he decided to keep
the classic symbolic shape of the standard exhaust system, but
paint it black.
The King of Customizing: Shinya Kimura.
Born and raised in a family that ran a small rivet factory in
downtown Tokyo, Shinya Kimura was always surrounded by the smell of
steel and oil and the sound of machinery and metals. Perhaps that's
why, after studying entomology, Kimura decided to return to what
felt most natural to him: tinkering in his workshop and building
things from different metals.
Kimura, the father of the so-called "Zero Style"
motorbike, began his career as a customizer in Japan at Zero
Engineering, a company he founded in 1992. He rose to international
fame as early as the 1990s, when his custom Harley-Davidson
"Samurai Chopper" was created. It followed his
characteristic wabi-sabi influenced style.
In search of new inspiration, Kimura later moved to Azusa,
California, where he founded his own independent company, Chabott
Engineering, in 2006. Today, the sought-after customizer only makes
a handful of motorcycles a year - exclusively for customers with
whom he feels a mutual understanding and no time pressure. The great
passion that drives him: "Passion for all the motorbikes that
were born into this world", as he says himself. While working
on "The Wal" project, he discovered new things every day
that stimulated and motivated him. Looking back, he says: "I
greatly appreciate BMW Motorrad and all the people who supported me
in this project. It was such a valuable and impactful experience for me."
Disclaimer.
The vehicles shown may be modified
and fitted with third-party accessories and/or proprietary parts
that are not manufactured, distributed or tested by BMW. BMW accepts
no liability for the modifications (including the fitting,
characteristics and use of the accessories shown). NOTE:
Modification of series production vehicles (including the fitting
and use of third-party and self-made parts) can impair riding
characteristics! Riding our vehicles in modified condition is at
your own risk.
You will find press material on BMW motorcycles and BMW
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