AMD265 August 2021 Aftermarket Moto Design 265 August 2021 | Page 32

the fairing and wing - with the addition of some of the kind of radical ' Kingston Style ' details and originality that have become Dirk ' s hallmark . The handlebar is a handmade Kingston design ; the bodywork is in fiberglass blown on a rigid foam form and attached to the bike using the original BMW brackets ; the rear fender is also screwed to the original holder on the swingarm . The windshield is handmade from impact-resistant Makrolon polycarbonate and there is a BMW emblem from an original R 75 tank . " The original BMW R 18 exhaust has a sound system that I have adopted and adapted ," says Dirk . " I kept the tailpipes in roadster style , without the dB killer , and the exhaust cover is made of stainless steel - everything is polished . " There is enough space between the panel and the floor ( 150 mm / 5.9 inches ) to have kept the turning circle original and fully articulated - the front wheel does not touch the fairing ." The design is in the classic Kingston Custom style and the design of ' Spirit of Passion ' is internationally protected for limited edition production with just 18 ( R 18 - geddit ?) being offered . " The motorcycle drives fantastically well ," says Dirk , " with perfect technology - dynamically powerful and great feedback - it delivers a real ' Soul Fuel ' feeling ."

" The R 18 was predestined for customizing ," says Dirk . " It has an extremely conversion-friendly architecture , featuring a pronounced historical reference - technically and visually echoing famous models such as the BMW R 5 and refocusing on motorbike essentials : purist , no-frills technology and , of course , the famed ' big boxer '. " This project is probably the most impressive of my entire career so far . It means a lot to me , and the trust that BMW Motorrad has placed in me , once again , is hugely important to me . I ' m very grateful for that ." Check out ' Spirit of Passion ' and Dirk ' s other work at his new website … www . kingston-custom . de

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