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Who doesn't know the good old "Aunt Ju" Junkers Ju 52, the legendary three-engine commercial and transport aircraft from the 1930s. In particular, the Ju 52 with the aircraft registration number D-AQUI in the Lufthansa gray-black color scheme from 1936 became known worldwide. During its time in the USA from 1970 to 1984 under the American aircraft registration number N52JU, its owner at the time, Martin Caidin, briefly named it " IRON ANNIE”.
BMW R 18 IRON ANNIE
It was precisely this aircraft that inspired a customer of BMW partner VTR Motorrad AG & VTR Customs in Schmerikon, Switzerland, to create a very special customizing version of the BMW R 18 - the R 18 "IRON ANNIE". Years earlier, the architect had had an individual R nineT built at VTR Customs according to his ideas, and this time too, aviation style elements from aircraft construction were to be used again. For example, the dial of the speedometer integrated into the tank, which is intended to be reminiscent of old cockpit instruments, or access panels with quick-release fasteners, such as those found on many aircraft.
And, of course, borrowings from the characteristic aluminum corrugated sheet planking of the Ju 52 had to be taken. At the same time, the seat was supposed to be reminiscent of a riding saddle, and when it came to the paintwork, only the “IRON ANNIE” color scheme in gray and black was an option. A BMW R 18 First Edition served as the starting point for the customizing project. Therefore, the engine was first removed and painted black. All chrome parts were also black and the fork tubes also received a black coating in the form of a DLC coating (Diamond Like Carbon).
Cockpit fairing as narrow & flat as possible
The cockpit fairing has been pulled back as narrow and flat as possible to emphasize the streamlined shape. A low, crouched line is supported by the fork that has been shortened by 7 cm and a height-adjustable Wilbers shock absorber. "In order to make the motorcycle appear smaller and more delicate between the wheels, we had large 18- and 21-inch wheels made by Kineo," adds Daniel Weidmann, owner and managing director of
VTR Motorcycle & VTR Customs
As a further technical treat, Magura HC18 pumps in racing style were installed instead of the standard R 3 brake and clutch fittings. The dial of the customizing speedometer also received a pointer specially made by watchmaker Zeitzone Zürich.
"One of the major challenges with the R 18 IRON ANNIE was the modeled cooling fins in the area of the rear silencer. It took a few attempts to form these parts into parallel and beautiful radii and at the same time to attach them harmoniously“, says Daniel Weidmann about the sheet metal work made of aluminium. These consumed countless hours of work, as the fuel tank, the tail with the implied fin of an airplane, the side panels and the cockpit canopy were artfully hand-crafted from sheet aluminum. The numerous pan-head rivets also provide reminiscences of traditional metal aircraft construction.
"What almost hurt us a little when we saw all the handmade, bare aluminum sheets shimmer and shine was the subsequent painting. But we are extremely satisfied with the result, because the R 18 IRON ANNIE differs even more clearly from our well-known SPITFIRE, which is also designed in an aviation style' continues Daniel Weidmann. The R 18 IRON ANNIE will be street legal and will sporadically cause astonishment in its new home on Lake Geneva. Committed to the customer promise, it remains unique.
Characteristics BMW R 18 IRON ANNIE by VTR Customs:
- Basis: BMW R 18 First Edition.
- Sheet metal parts: tank, tail, side panels, cockpit, mudguard, aluminum handmade by VTR Customs.
- Fork: shortened and DLC-coated stanchions.
- Shock absorber: Wilbers height adjustable.
- Wheels: Kineo front 3,5 x 21", rear 6 x18".
- Tires: Avon Cobra, 120/70-21 and 200/55-18.
- Handlebar: ABM Vario Clip.
- Speedometer: Customized by Zurich time zone.
- Brake / clutch pump: Magura HC3.
- Saddle: VTR Customs & Yves Knobel saddlery.
- Exhaust system: rolling mill.
- License plate holder: Berham Customs.
- Direction indicators and rear lights: Kellermann Atto.
- Headlight: HIGHSIDER.
- Painting: VTR Customs & Freuler AG, Benken.
Of course, that was far from it. Our tuning magazine has countless other tuning reports in stock. And also with the topic Motorcycle and motorcycle tuning we meet regularly. Do you want to see all posts about motorcycles and motorcycle tuning? Just click HERE and look around. Or is a small extract enough? Then take a look at the following Mopped posts.
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R 18 custom bike from BMW partner VTR Motorrad AG & VTR Customs in aviation style!
Photo credit: BMW
