BMW Motorrad and VTR Motorrad & Customs have introduced the R 18 Iron Annie, which is a rideable masterpiece.
Inspired by the Junkers Ju 52, nicknamed Iron Annie, the one-off bike is based on the R 18 First Edition and has been given an aircraft-inspired makeover.
This is immediately apparent as the bike wears custom aluminum bodywork that draws inspiration from the plane and features retro rivets. The ‘tail’ is also unique and the companies noted it was “imperative to borrow from the Ju 52’s characteristic corrugated aluminum planking.”
Also: BMW’s Latest Customized R 18 Is A Classically Cool Cruiser
The special touches extend beyond the body as the engine was removed and painted black as were all the chrome components. However, that was easy compared to creating the custom exhausts as VTR Motorrad & VTR Customs Managing Director Daniel Weidmann called them “one of the big challenges,” and said “shaping these parts into parallel and beautiful radii, and at the same time still fastening them harmoniously took a number of attempts.”
Elsewhere, the bike has been equipped with a 2.8 inch (7 cm) shorter fork, a height-adjustable Wilbers shock absorber, and Magura HC3 master cylinders. Other highlights include a saddle-inspired seat, a customized speedometer, and 18- and 21- inch wheels made by Kineo.
BMW didn’t mention performance specifications, but the standard R 18 has a 1.8-liter (1,802 cc) engine that develops 91 hp (68 kW / 92 PS) and 116 lb-ft (157 Nm) of torque. It enables the bike to hit speeds in excess of 111 mph (179 km/h).
