Based on a 1990 BMW R80 GS, their most recent project is a hot as hell street scrambler. The latest GS series may have mutated into a 600-lb sofa on wheels, but back in the day, the original R80 GS broke the mold. It officially bridged the gap between road and trail.

Re-imagined, Rebuilt, and Reborn

"We love working on old BMWs, they're built in such a way that you can constantly re-imagine and rebuild them. Whenever we start a project for a client, it's always driven by their ideas and our suggestions. But this bike was for us."

Dramatic Weight Loss

A stock R80 GS tips the scales at around 400-lb. It's impossible to say how much weight they've shed and it would be no surprise if we had cut that by 50-lbs.

The frame was cleaned up, and chromed as a nod to the nickel-plated Rickman Metisse Scramblers of the early ’70s.

As functional as the original 19.6-liter gas tank was, it had all the aesthetic appeal of a shoebox. For this reason, it got ditched in favor of a low profile Honda tank. Together with a custom-made seat, the bike took on that elegant yet purposeful flat-tracker look.

Lightweight retro aluminum mudguards got added front and back. While new powder coated rims were laced to the hubs. A custom billet caliper mount was also fabricated for the upgraded 320-mm Brembo front brake.

On the subject of the front end, the aluminum lower fork legs were mirror polished. While custom ‘BMW’ machined inserts replaced the stock reflectors.

Brushed aluminum trials-style handlebars sit in powder-coated yokes with the electrics and switchgear cut down to an absolute minimum. A minimalist analog-style digital speedo sits in front of the top yoke to keep the whole area clean.

Bringing up the rear, all components were either powder-coated or polished, and a Wilbers shock takes care of the rear suspension.

Show and Go

The engine was rebuilt using a 336 camshaft and sport cam followers, a Siebenrock cylinder kit, a lighter flywheel, and refurbished carbs with a fast-flow air filter. 

The combination of lighter pistons and crank gives the engine an immediate throttle response. Better still, the lumpier cam means the power doesn't stop. Straight from the factory, the stock R80 GS made around 49-hp. We haven't bothered getting the new engine on the dyno. The number is irrelevant as it's all about the rush when you nail the throttle.

For the grand finale, a black satin finish for the engine, and the edges of the cooling fins cleaned up to pop the detail. Last but not least, with the engine back in the frame, a one-off stainless steel 2-1 exhaust was fabricated and fitted with a free-flowing upswept silencer.

As the saying goes, the devil's in the detail. And this R80 GS from Meister Engineering looks like a BMW works team prepped it for an international Enduro event. 

Attention to detail, thoughtful reduction, and skillful modifications make this bike a Meister-class in understated cool. So if you're looking for someone to build you a bling-bike to look good parked next to your garaged SUV, ride on by. But, if you want a motorcycle that screams form, function, and fun, you know who to call!