Last year, we saw the launch of the 1978 BMW R100RS “Silver Bullet,” the first-ever motorcycle designed by Revival of the Machine — one of the finest custom moto magazines in the world. The bike was built in collaboration with none other than Pepo Rosell of XTR Pepo — a living legend of a “bike constructor.”
After spending the past year on tour, visiting motoring Valhallas like the Bike Shed in London and Wheels and Waves in Biarritz, the Silver Bullet was ready for an overhaul. XTR Pepo helped steer the bike toward his signature racing aesthetic. Below, we get the full story straight from the
Silver Bullet MK2: “New Year New Life”
(Words by Revival of the Machine. Photos by Diego Bermúdez. Highlights by us.)
The beginning of the year is the perfect time to change or to fulfill those purposes that never get off the ground. This is what we have understood at Revival of the Machine, giving a brand new look to the aesthetics of our Silver Bullet.
It seems like yesterday when we launched the first motorcycle designed by Revival of the Machine, the Silver Bullet, but it’s been a while since it left the XTR workshop. Its style was so popular that during these last months it has not stopped traveling, and its time spent in such important events as Bike Shed in London; Wheels and Waves in Biarritz, or Pure & Crafted in Berlin, although they were a great success, have ended up taking their toll on some elements of our beloved machine.
On the other hand, the “bumper” of XTR had transmitted the enthusiasm to us to reconstruct its work to endow it with a one hundred percent Pepo style. And it seems like the stars aligned, because after the last BMW event in Formigal, we decided that the time had come to give it a facelift. The entire cycle part had endured perfectly, so its technical characteristics could remain the same, with the original chassis modified, to which a complete front train of R nine T was added and the rear of an R850 – powered by a custom-made Hagon shock absorber.
The excellent work done on the boxer propeller from a 1978 R100 was spoiled in part, during one of its journeys, when the bike fell accidentally and ran for a time without proper lubrication. As what matters is that it is fully functional, the flaws have been repaired and it is already roaring powerfully again through the Akrapovič silent couple.
The electrical system is still composed of an electronic ignition, with the possibility of choosing from sixteen different maps, and the innovative m-Unit Blue installation by Motogadget.
And now we are going ahead with even more news… As I mentioned above, Pepo has a very particular vision of the world of the two wheels, and always tries to give his creations a certain “aura” for racing. The body of the Silver Bullet was spectacular, but, in this second version, it has been the great sacrifice. In its place, new elements with a lot of Bavarian DNA shine. For now, the tank has completely changed its physiognomy and, although it is still elongated, it is much higher on the back.
Before we could say it was a long, flat bike, but now its line is definitely more aggressive. The MK2 has a tail of rounded shapes when viewed from the side, and is sharp when observed from behind, giving it a very curious optical effect.
The worked piece of wood that served as a seat has given way to an element covered in beige leather that hugs the sides of the tank. And it is complemented by a “rubber damper” attached to the tail, where the lower part of the pilot’s back will be supported.
The final decoration can make a first-line motorcycle go unnoticed, so it’s always a point worth thinking about. In this case, the success has been total, because a combination of black and grey has been chosen, inspired by the BMW R90S – one of the most legendary frames of the German brand. Finally, the “racing” touch is set by the small white dorsal located on the tail. A new life for our Silver Bullet, which will surely create quite a buzz during 2018.
BMW R100RS: Build Sheet
• Starting motorcycle: BMW R100RS 1978
• Modified and reinforced chassis
• BMW R850R swing arm
• Tailored Hagon shock absorber
• BMW R nine T fork
• BMW R850R rear wheel
• BMW R nine T front wheel
• Pirelli Diablo Corsa tires
• Radial brake callipers BMW R nine T
• Rizoma brake fluid reservoir
• XTR Pepo Footrest Supports
• Rizoma foot pegs
• Rizoma semi-sharps
• Rizoma handles and grips
• XTR Pepo collectors
• Silent Akrapovič
• Lectron Power Jet carburettors
• K & N air filters
• Racing camshafts
• High compression piston kit
• Nikasil cylinder liners
• Pipes of XTR Pepo cylinder heads
• Laser engraved caps
• Electronic ignition 16 maps
• Electrical installation m-Unit Blue Motogadget
• XTR Pepo spider
• XTR Pepo mudguards
• Deposit and col XTR Pepo in collaboration with Alberto Caimi
• Aluminium dome
• Pineapples and speedometer Motogadget
• Leather seat XTR Pepo
Source...
