When BMW launched the R 18 cruiser, the German company continued further down the path it started with the R nineT, which was to provide a blank canvas for customizers to create their own motorcycling visions. With the R 18, Californian Roland Sands showed the world what was possible and many other custom builders showed off their creativity using the low-slung model as a base.
Now it is the turn of BMW partner VTR Motorrad AG & VTR Customs in Schmerikon, Switzerland, to create a very special customised version of the BMW R 18 – the R 18 IRON ANNIE.
The build takes its inspiration from the Junkers Ju 52, the legendary three-engine commercial and transport aircraft from the 1930s. One particular Ju 52, with the aircraft registration D-AQUI in the Lufthansa colour scheme grey-black from 1936 became particularly well-known worldwide. During its time in the USA from 1970 to 1984 under the American aircraft registration N52JU, it was christened “IRON ANNIE” for short by its then owner Martin Caidin.
As you would expect, there are a lot of aviation-style elements incorporated into the design, for example, the dial of the speedometer integrated into the tank, which is intended to be reminiscent of old cockpit instruments, and access panels with quick-release fasteners, as found on many aircraft. And of course, the builders had to borrow from the Ju 52 the characteristic corrugated aluminium planking. At the same time, the seat was to be reminiscent of a riding saddle and, of course, only the “IRON ANNIE” colour scheme in grey and black was to be used for the paintwork.
The cockpit trim was pulled back as narrow and flat as possible to emphasise the streamlined shape. The 7 cm shorter fork and a height-adjustable Wilbers shock absorber emphasise the crouched stance of the motorcycle. “To make the bike look smaller and give it a more filigree appearance between the wheels, we had large 18 and 21-inch wheels made by Kineo,” adds Daniel Weidmann, Owner & Managing Director of VTR Motorrad & VTR Customs.
As a further technical feature, racing-style HC3 pumps from Magura were fitted in place of the standard R 18 brake and clutch fittings. The dial of the customised speedometer also received a hand specially made by watchmaker Zeitzone Zurich.
“One of the big challenges with the R 18 IRON ANNIE was the replica cooling fins in the area of the rear silencers. Shaping these parts into parallel and beautiful radii and at the same time still fastening them harmoniously took a number of attempts,” says Daniel Weidmann about the aluminium sheet metal work.
This consumed countless hours of work, as the fuel tank, the tail with the suggested tail fin of an aeroplane, the side panels and the cockpit were artfully hand-formed from aluminium sheet. Reminiscences of traditional metal aircraft construction are also provided by the numerous lens-head rivets.
“What almost pained us a little when we saw all the handmade, bright aluminium sheets shimmering and shining was that they would have to be painted. However, 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 aviation style,” Daniel Weidmann continued.
Any custom build is a very personal vision and, as the old saying goes, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.” With so many custom creations based around the R 18 having been built, only you can decide if the R 18 IRON ANNIE is to your own personal taste. One thing is certain, however: it certainly is striking and is a brilliant example of the custom builder’s art.
