ironwood motorcycles is a relative newcomer to the custom bike world, having created twelve impressive BMW builds sice its formation in 2012. the amsterdam-based garage’s take on the classic ‘R80’ is something the bavarian-manufacturer would adore with its unique, aggressive design. the studio pays homage to street fighter motorcycles from ten years ago with raw metals and vintage colors.

BMW R80 mutant custom café racer by ironwood motorcycles
all images © ironwood motorcycles / paul van ML

 

 

based on a 1985 BMW R80, ironwood motorcycles’ ‘mutant’ bike retains its unique mono-shock and single-sided swingarm. to create the motorcycle’s extreme stance and pitch the rider forward, it has shortened the front forks by 60 mm, and installed a longer, bespoke hyperpro suspension coil. the garage’s owner, arjan van den boom, handpicked a vintage zündapp tank, and also gave it a lean-forward look.

BMW R80 mutant custom café racer by ironwood motorcycles

 

 

the custom exhaust snakes from the boxer engine to beneath the seat where it meets an akrapovič muffler taken from a honda ‘CBR600RR’. the rest of the area underneath the seat remains pretty sparse, with a set of DNA filters and a clean re-wire. the soft leather and alcantara seat is equally sleek, and sits atop the extremely short subframe. the ‘mutant’ also boasts a monza gas cap, new roundels, and a leather tank strap with a bespoke pouch for a leatherman multi-tool.

BMW R80 mutant custom café racer by ironwood motorcycles

 

 

ironwood has given the ‘mutant’ a classic color palette with the tank painted in a vintage porsche ‘356’ tone, inspired by singer vehicle design, plus a black subframe and wheels wrapped in shinko ‘270 super classic’ tires. at the front sits a bates-style headlight, plus a pair of motogadget turn signals and black leather hand grips. there’s an LED tail light at the back, and the rear signals are embedded discretely into the frame rails.

BMW R80 mutant custom café racer by ironwood motorcycles

BMW R80 mutant custom café racer by ironwood motorcycles

BMW R80 mutant custom café racer by ironwood motorcycles