There is often a temptation for custom motorcycle builders to completely reinvent a donor machine, but Bunker Custom Cycles has taken the opposite approach with its latest BMW R nineT Scrambler. Rather than chasing ever more dramatic styling, the Turkish workshop has focused on creating a motorcycle that feels cleaner, more purposeful and remarkably faithful to the character of the original.
The project was commissioned by Selçuk, an enduro rider from Istanbul whose priorities have changed after becoming a father. While a Vespa now handles daily commuting duties, the BMW serves as a machine for relaxed weekend adventures. That shift in lifestyle shaped the brief, with practicality and timeless design taking priority over aggression.
Drawing inspiration from the legendary BMW R 80 GS and Dakar models of the mid-1980s, Bunker Custom Cycles has carefully reworked the 2024 R nineT Scrambler without losing its unmistakable boxer identity. The most noticeable transformation comes at the front, where a redesigned fairing, revised front mudguard and raised headlight create a more compact, utilitarian appearance. A Denali S4 auxiliary light has also been seamlessly integrated into the fairing, avoiding the bolt-on look often associated with aftermarket accessories.
The fuel tank has undergone an equally thoughtful transformation. Although the original steel tank remains beneath, a newly designed outer shell inspired by the R 80 GS reshapes the motorcycle’s proportions and reduces capacity slightly from 17 litres to 15.5 litres. The restrained paint scheme pays tribute to BMW’s 1980s competition colours without overwhelming the overall design.
Matching bodywork continues throughout the motorcycle, including new side panels, air intake covers, a custom seat, rear fairing, rear rack, mudguard and engine skid plate. Manufactured from glass fibre reinforced plastic, the components were developed using modern 3D printing techniques before being produced in their final composite form, allowing the team to refine every detail before production.
Rather than trying to build the most radical BMW R nineT Scrambler imaginable, Bunker Custom Cycles has created something arguably more difficult to achieve: a custom motorcycle that feels as though it could have left the factory exactly this way. And the clever thing is, many of these parts are available for sale to the general public.
