Custom-Built BMW K 75 Shows a More Practical Take on the Cafe Racer Genre

Deciding to establish his own motorcycle customization outfit, Wido teamed up with a well-versed welder named Tim Scheeren. Thus, WiMoto was born in the Dutch town of Elst, not far from the German border. This won’t be the first time their work adorns the autoevolution pages, as we’ve already featured a couple of WiMoto’s projects in the past. Each of them was a genuine treat, and the one shown above is no different.

The build revolves around a BMW K 75 from the model-year 1990, whose owner Kristen began modifying herself before handing things over to the pros. She’d taken the old three-cylinder Beemer apart and ordered some aftermarket parts, but help was needed when it came to cutting and welding the frame. Eventually, Kristen entrusted Wido and his teammate with the entire customization process.

Among the goodies she purchased for this project was a svelte cafe-style tail section topped with a stunning leather seat, as well as a digital dial and an LED headlight. All these components made their way to WiMoto along with the K 75 itself, but the guys kicked things off with some frame surgery. To be more exact, they eliminated the bike’s subframe and proceeded to craft a bespoke substitute from scratch.

This new rear skeleton works its way upward as it moves back, so as to line the tail section up with the fuel tank’s underside. Not only does the raised design help to create a cohesive overall appearance, but it also brings about an aggressive riding posture. The tail’s southernmost tip is home to a circular LED taillight, while the license plate is located nice and low on a swingarm-mounted bracket.

Although the K 75’s rear suspension appears to have remained stock, the same can’t be said for the front forks. Gone are the conventional telescopic units installed at the factory, making room for a pair of inverted alternatives taken from an Aprilia Tuono. These are held in place by means of custom triple clamps, and we also spot a tiny front fender lower down. For plentiful stopping power up north, WiMoto’s gurus went to great lengths to upgrade the front brake.

They did so with fresh Brembo calipers and drilled aftermarket discs measuring 320 millimeters (12.6 inches) in diameter. Kristen will be operating these items via youthful brake lines, and she’ll benefit from ample grip thanks to a set of Avon Roadrider MKII tires. Handmade side covers flank the motorcycle’s radiator, sitting right below the stock fuel tank on bespoke mounting hardware.

Attached to the license plate holder are small LED turn signals, but the front blinkers are integrated into the aftermarket headlamp supplied by the owner. This lighting setup contributes to an ultra-clean aesthetic at twelve o’clock, and so does the new equipment found in the cockpit. The digital one-piece tachometer and speedo we’ve mentioned earlier takes center-stage, fronting a low-profile handlebar.

Despite going for a cafe racer vibe on this project, WiMoto chose the latter over clip-ons for the sake of comfort and versatility. Stylish Biltwell grips and underslung bar-end mirrors are borne by the handlebar, along with the factory K 75 switchgear. All the electronics are now stored inside the tail section, allowing for the subframe triangle to remain mostly empty.

Following a comprehensive engine rebuild, Sir Veldkamp indulged in a good bit of exhaust fabrication using stainless-steel. He came up with a stunning three-into-two arrangement that ends in a tailor-made muffler, running parallel to the lines of the fuel tank and tail. This is attention to detail at its finest, but what really makes the whole ordeal come together is the chosen color scheme.

A delicious coat of dark teal was applied to all the bodywork components, while items such as the wheels, frame, and engine covers were all powder-coated black. In addition, contrasting orange highlights can be seen on the brake calipers, fork caps, and left engine case. The color palette adorning this specimen is a true delight for our eyes, yet it’s unclear whether it was pitched by the client or conjured up by WiMoto’s bright minds.

Either way, Kristen is sure to have a blast on this modded K 75 for a long time to come, and we bet she’s glad to have put her faith in Wido and Tim. The dream, two-man team from the Netherlands never disappoints, so they’ll certainly be giving us many more striking one-offs to drool over in the near future. If these are going to be half as good as this sharp cafe racer, WiMoto will be well on its way to gaining worldwide popularity.