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Classic BMW R65 Gets Infused With Custom Scrambler Fragrance, Hosts R80 Bodywork

German elegance is clearly in full bloom on the bike we’re featuring today.
BMW R65 10 photos
Photo: Marc Holstein
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A few years back, AMP-Motorcycles was founded by a father-and-son duo near the German city of Frankfurt. Their shared passion for custom two-wheelers led to the creation of countless mechanical masterpieces making just about any moto-loving gearhead go weak at the knees. We recently spotted a scrambler-style BMW R65 on their Instagram profile, and we couldn’t resist the urge to bring it into the spotlight.

The chosen donor for this breathtaking venture was a 1983 variant from Motorrad’s lineup. The stock bike is brought to life by an air-cooled 649cc boxer-twin mill, with two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.2:1. This nasty animal is good for up to 50 hp when the tachometer displays 7,250 rpm, and 38 pound-feet (52 Nm) of peak torque at 6,500 revs.

It is coupled with a five-speed transmission, which routes the oomph to the rear wheel via a shaft final drive. This whole shebang enables the Bavarian fiend to reach a respectable top speed of 109 mph (175 kph) and accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 kph) in 5.5 seconds. Stopping power comes from a single 260 mm (10.24 inches) brake disc up front and a 200 mm (7.87 inches) drum setup on the opposite end.

BMW R65
Photo: Marc Holstein/AMP-Motorcycles
BMW’s entity rests on a set of cartridge forks at the front, accompanied by dual shocks and a double-sided swingarm at the rear. It rides on 18-inch shoes, and its curb weight is rated at approximately 450 lbs (204 kg). Right, let’s cut to the chase and inspect AMP’s one-off marvel.

As soon as the bike’s factory bodywork had been removed, its skeleton was neatly powder-coated from head to toe. The next step consisted of obtaining an R80’s fuel tank to replace the stock item, which didn’t exactly match the desired aesthetic. At the rear end, they attached a bolt-on subframe that supports a handsome brown leather saddle and a tiny taillight.

To bring about ample grip on and off the road, the wheels were honored with dual-purpose Continental TKC 80 rubber on both ends. Rear suspension duties are handled by a premium pair of shock absorbers from YSS, while the forks have been tweaked to achieve a level stance. After fabricating a fresh wiring harness, the German wizards consulted Motogadget’s catalog to obtain an array of electrical goodies.

BMW R65
Photo: Marc Holstein/AMP-Motorcycles
These include bar-end turn signals, a minute speedometer, and a state-of-the-art m-Unit control module. In terms of powertrain modifications, the boxer-twin comes equipped with a unique exhaust system that keeps things looking stealthy, as well as free-flowing K&N air filters on the intake end of the combustion cycle.

We notice a bite-sized headlight taking pride of place in between the fork legs, along with a yellow-tinted fog light that sits atop the left crash bar. If you ask me, the latter is probably the coolest feature found on AMP's graceful Beemer. Last but not least, the blue paintwork worn by the repurposed gas tank draws inspiration from a German beer label named Löwenbräu, of all things.
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About the author: Silvian Secara
Silvian Secara profile photo

A bit of an artist himself, Silvian sees two- and four-wheeled machines as a form of art, especially restomods and custom rides. Oh, and if you come across a cafe racer article on our website, it’s most likely his doing.
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