Photo: Kott Motorcycles
Although Dustin Kott has been building custom motorcycles for several years, it took him until 2018 to tackle his first BMW project. This was due to time constraints rather than an unwillingness to explore unchartered territory, as Dustin isn’t the sort of guy who would shy away from trying out new things. When the opportunity finally presented itself, he didn’t think twice about accepting the commission.
The project’s basis came in the form of a BMW R100/7 from the model-year 1977, which was promptly dismantled once it arrived at the Kott Motorcycles headquarters in Santa Clarita, California. Dustin’s attention then turned to its air-cooled 980cc boxer-twin, and he decided that an extensive overhaul was in order. During this rebuild, the engine received a myriad of fresh internals, such as modern exhaust valves and piston rings.
Kott also swapped the OEM starter motor with a much smaller alternative and hooked it up to a youthful battery. He did so by way of a bespoke wiring harness, installing various other electronic upgrades like a high-output stator and a replacement regulator/rectifier. With these goodies in place, it was time for Dustin to modernize the R100/7’s suspension.
Its rear end is now equipped with adjustable aftermarket shocks flaunting progressive springs, while a Suzuki GSX-R's inverted forks replace the original telescopic units. Getting the Gixxer forks to fit wasn’t exactly a plug-and-play ordeal, but Cognito Moto came to Kott’s aid with tailor-made triple clamps, a new steering stem, and an appropriately sized front wheel hub.
Aside from the forks, the aforementioned Suzuki donated its beefy front braking system, too, complete with the floating discs and Tokico calipers. Gone are the Beemer’s snowflake wheels, making room for a classier set of laced alternatives enveloped in Pilot Activ tires from Michelin. Dustin placed billet aluminum rearsets ahead of the rear hoop, and you’ll spot reverse megaphone exhaust silencers sitting right beneath them.
Cafe racer ergonomics are the name of the game in the cockpit area, as well, with clip-on handlebars bringing about a much sportier riding posture. All the mods we’ve talked about thus far are pretty rad, but what will really draw onlookers’ attention to this Bavarian one-off is the bodywork. Whereas most builders would opt to retain the R100/7’s gorgeous fuel tank, the mastermind at Kott Motorcycles wanted to do things a little differently.
He retrofitted a Yamaha XJR1300’s module, cleverly tweaking it wherever needed and reworking the bike’s rear end to match. There you’ll see a much narrower custom subframe put together by Metal Lab Fabrication, topped with a slim leather seat and a cafe-style tail section. A handmade, swingarm-mounted rear fender keeps road debris off the engine, and there’s fresh lighting hardware on both ends.
Kott also swapped the OEM starter motor with a much smaller alternative and hooked it up to a youthful battery. He did so by way of a bespoke wiring harness, installing various other electronic upgrades like a high-output stator and a replacement regulator/rectifier. With these goodies in place, it was time for Dustin to modernize the R100/7’s suspension.
Its rear end is now equipped with adjustable aftermarket shocks flaunting progressive springs, while a Suzuki GSX-R's inverted forks replace the original telescopic units. Getting the Gixxer forks to fit wasn’t exactly a plug-and-play ordeal, but Cognito Moto came to Kott’s aid with tailor-made triple clamps, a new steering stem, and an appropriately sized front wheel hub.
Aside from the forks, the aforementioned Suzuki donated its beefy front braking system, too, complete with the floating discs and Tokico calipers. Gone are the Beemer’s snowflake wheels, making room for a classier set of laced alternatives enveloped in Pilot Activ tires from Michelin. Dustin placed billet aluminum rearsets ahead of the rear hoop, and you’ll spot reverse megaphone exhaust silencers sitting right beneath them.
Cafe racer ergonomics are the name of the game in the cockpit area, as well, with clip-on handlebars bringing about a much sportier riding posture. All the mods we’ve talked about thus far are pretty rad, but what will really draw onlookers’ attention to this Bavarian one-off is the bodywork. Whereas most builders would opt to retain the R100/7’s gorgeous fuel tank, the mastermind at Kott Motorcycles wanted to do things a little differently.
He retrofitted a Yamaha XJR1300’s module, cleverly tweaking it wherever needed and reworking the bike’s rear end to match. There you’ll see a much narrower custom subframe put together by Metal Lab Fabrication, topped with a slim leather seat and a cafe-style tail section. A handmade, swingarm-mounted rear fender keeps road debris off the engine, and there’s fresh lighting hardware on both ends.
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