Quand la passion nourrit la

création

Isabelle Guignet - Photos Meister Engineering, Emily Bonnet, Kronos Picture

“Une modique somme de CHF 100.-, et voilà qu’Antoine Meister réoriente sa vie vers la mécanique automobile. Au-delà d’une page de design des deux-roues, c’est un métier et un tournant de vie qui se sont offerts à ce jeune vingtenaire genevois lors de l’acquisition de sa première épave de vélomoteur à l’âge de 13 ans… Direction son atelier à Meinier (GE)!”

BMW R100S Cafairing

Meister Engineering

Jérémie Durand - Photos Emily Bonnet

“De la Suisse, on connaît les montagnes, le chocolat, les banques… Un peu moins les préparateurs moto qui doivent faire face à de grosses contraintes d’homologation.

Pour cette raison, Meister Engineering produit des pièces homologuées pour BMW, devenant ainsi un spécialiste de la marque à l’hélice avec des préparations soignées, comme cette R100S Cafairing.”

"S is for Style - Meister Engineering

BMW R100S"

If there’s one thing every builder should strive to achieve when they customise a motorcycle it’s to improve upon its original construction. Many of the bikes used as donors for the builds we feature are decades old so that task can sometimes be an easy one. Improvements in electronics can be made by simply installing components from MotoGadget and power upgrades can be easily unlocked by fitting a set of modern carbs or a free flowing exhaust. Technology has come a long way and, let's face it, we’re spoilt for options, but where the real challenge lies is in improving on design.

The young, the old and the new

Recognised custom shops, specialised urban customisers and other experienced advocates of motorcycling have produced stunning examples of BMW-powered café racers. Now meet Antoine Meister from Switzerland. With 30 café/custom racer builds already to his name, he’s developing a wide fan base. Not bad for a 23-year-old with no mechanical training, just a passion for BMW engineering, learning and café racers.

BMW R80 GS GENEVA DAKAR

“BMW R80/7 by Meister Engineering With over thirty custom builds already under his belt, Antoine Meister has developed an extensive client base and impressive resumé of builds, primarily BMWs. The achievement becomes even more astonishing when you learn that Antoine cranked out a couple of these stunners while pursuing a law degree. Your jaw hits the floor when you find out he’s only twenty-five and has no mechanical training to speak of.

Based Geneva, Switzerland, Meister Engineering’s latest creation is a BMW R80/7 scrambler called ‘Geneva-Dakar,’ built in collaboration with Mathieu Dimier. Long travel suspension, Heidenau K60 Scouts and that elevated beak give this airhead a take-no-prisoners stance the original Dakar probably wished it had.

The slender tank, humped and hooped rear and naked cockpit create a lean and aggressive presence. Check out the Domino throttle and Accossato risers and levers, and the minimalist switchgear and color matched plug wires and plumbing. Antoine’s attention to detail borders on perfection.”

Wheels & Waves 2016

“Les aficionados de la moto de collection se divisent en deux catégories : les puristes qui rénovent en visant au plus près de l’état d’origine et les artistes qui font de la moto leur terrain d’expression, mixant les catégories et voyageant à travers les âges. Cette population a depuis cinq ans son festival : le Wheels & Waves. Rejoignons les plages de Biarritz (F) où petits mécanos amateurs côtoient les préparateurs internationaux les plus cotés dans une ambiance sans prétention.”