Source: Bike Bound
Minimalist BMW Thumper from Versor Przemek…
In 1993, just over 30 years ago, BMW introduced the F650 Funduro, their first single-cylinder (and chain-drive) motorcycle since the the 1960s. The bike was developed in partnership with Aprilia, and power came from a 652cc four-valve Rotax engine that made ~50 brake horsepower and 44 pound-feet of torque. There would be a number of spinoff versions over the years: the road-oriented Strada, the belt-drive CS, and the more off-road-ready GS and Dakar models.
The F650 earned a reputation as a brilliant all-rounder with top-notch build quality and toughness, and BMW sold more than 50,000 of the original Rotax-powered machines. Consider the experience of “Possum,” an F650 owner who’s nearing 200,000 km on his machine:
“VERY reliable and built tough. I have no crash-bars, use and abuse the bike off-road, and ride for up to 18 hours in a day. It has had a couple of solid crashes, yet suffered only minor damage — always ridden home… I intend to continue riding this wonderfully comfortable steed well beyond 300,000km…” –MCN
Though it proved one hell of a workhorse, the Funduro’s aesthetics were decidedly funky — some might even say “fugly” — and allof that OEM plastic made the bike a bit ungainly, tipping the scales at well over 400 pounds…quite a lot to horse around town or trail. Of course, those same drawbacks make the F650 a promising candidate for a custom build.
That was the idea of our friend Przemek, a Polish engineer and bike-builder whose grandfather was what they call a złota rączka or “golden hand” — a skilled handyman who could work on just about anything. Przemek inherited that love of working with his hands, and by all accounts, his sons are following the same path. The last build of Przemek’s we featured was his Ducati 750 “Bloodred Bombshell,” which elicited some serious lust among our readership.
When Przemek got his hands on a ’95 BMW Funduro, he wanted to try something completely different:
“I feel like going against the mainstream sometimes. Most people build Cafe Racers based on the R or K series and the builds are mostly alike, it is a challenge to do something out of the box these days. I wanted to use a BMW and do something different. I like ascetic, minimalist bikes and a tracker was tempting… So it is a BMW F series based City Tracker, as I prefer tarmac from mud.”
The most obvious change here is the utter lack of the factory bodywork and mounting brackets, but a lot of work was required to streamline the bike so much. Przemek shortened and narrowed the rear section of the frame, mounted a modified tail section and saddle he upholstered himself, and relocated the electronics from beneath the seat to de-clutter the bike’s profile.
We’d be impressed if anyone could identify the tank at first glance. It actually comes from a Ukrainian Dniepr motorcycle and was heavily modified not only to fit the F650 frame, but to conceal the relocated battery and electronics. Przemek’s buddy Józek, a master welder, said the tank welding was a real challenge even for him.
Up front, the subframe that once held the old bodywork is gone, which meant Przemek had to design a new console to house the speedometer, tachometer, and warning lights. He also designed and fabricated a front fender that mounts to the fork brace, helping a bit on rainy days.
Przemek and his son built the custom undertail exhaust together, and the stock airbox was removed in favor of a pair of pod filters — plenty sufficient for the urban riding this bike is designed to do. The result of all this work is the leanest, meanest Funduro we’ve seen. In fact, the bike is nearly 100 pounds lighter (!) than the stocker, which transforms the riding experience:
“As the current weight is just 149kg [328 lbs] wet with no fuel, compared to the original 191kg [421 lbs] wet, the bike is definitely more dynamic.”
Talk about a featherweight! As for the paint scheme, the bike remains in primer at the moment, and Przemek is trying to decide whether to keep it that way or go with one of the liveries designed by his friend and graphic designer Przemyslaw Kasperski (connectorone.com). What do you think? Tell us your color choice in the comments!
Below is our full in-depth interview with Przemek about the build, with more details and backstory. Enjoy!
Builder Interview: BMW F650 Street Tracker
• Please tell us a bit about yourself, your history with motorcycles, and your workshop.
My name is Przemek, I am 47 years old, I graduated as a mechanical engineer and worked for many years in the automotive industry. I live in Poland, this is where I was born and grew up. I am proud of this and am attached to the Silesia region. I lived also in the northern England for 8 years and I loved it, I miss it now sometimes.
When I was starting my company, about 4 years ago, I had to define what will it do, so I included bikes in the scope. Bikes are my passion, but only customs. I do not care about stock bikes. I actually enjoy building more than riding these days. About five years ago we bought a house and I renovated the garage, next to the house, to serve me as a bike workshop. It is nothing fancy, I did not spend too much money on it, but everything over there is designed to give me comfort when working on motorcycles.
I started enjoying motorcycles when I was about ten, I think. It started with mopeds. I renovated a couple of old bikes later, ranging from 1928 to 1950s. I also owned Japanese bikes and used them for commuting. My grandfather was a very skilled handyman, who could do just about everything. In the Polish language it is called “złota rączka”, which means “golden hand”. Working in workshop on cars and everything else was natural for me, I picked it up. Sadly, my granddad died early, but I continue this.
My older son has already worked on a number of bikes for his customers and helps me with engine work – his favorite part of fun. These are not a full builds, but rather renovations for now. He also owns two mopeds, one sport bike and one oldtimer. I am amazed when I see him tear engines apart and putting them back together. I wish I did that when I was in my early 20s, like him now.
My younger son, who is 12, is just getting interested in motorcycles. Starting this season he enjoyed trips in our Dniepr sidecar. I started involving him in small technical jobs. I am very lucky that my wife, Karina, supports my passion. She understands when I need to focus on a build, which means that I help less at home. Even when I have doubts about building bikes, she convinces me to keep doing it, because – she says – “it is your passion” and she is proud of it.
I am very happy that my two last builds were published in Bikebound: Bloodred Bombshell and Know Thyself. It is going to be my kind of a hat trick. Maybe the Dniepr with sidecar could be next, who knows?
• What’s the make, model, and year of the donor bike?
The donor bike is a 1995 BMW F650.
• Why was this bike built?
It is a good question. I feel like going against the mainstream sometimes. Most people build Cafe Racers based on the R or K series and the builds are mostly alike, it is a challenge to do something out of the box these days. I wanted to use a BMW and do something different. I do like ascetic, minimalist bikes and a tracker was tempting, partly because only few people build them. So it is a BMW F series based City Tracker, as I prefer tarmac from mud.
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
I wanted to build a nice tracker, minimalist and lightweight. A nimble bike that feels good in a city and gives lots of fun to the rider. The “Frateschi Funduro: BMW F650 Custom” published by Bikebound was an influence for me. I was impressed by the bike the color scheme, but preferred to go the tracker style and not scrambler.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
The most obvious change is removing all the plastic. There was minor modification to the frame — the rear section was made shorter and narrower. It was adapted to accept the silencer. I kept the frame as original as possible, so it is asymmetrical. All the bracketry had to go too. The original F650 is not the prettiest bike in the world to me.
In the donor bike the headlight, speedo, tacho, and warning lights were mounted to the fairing and front sub-frame. There is no sub-frame now and I designed a new console housing the speedo, tacho, and the warning lights. It was not easy.
All lamps are LED with homologation now. The rear lights are all in one, so there is no “central” rear light. There was quite a lot of work with the electric loom to work with all the changes to lights, speedo and moving stuff under the fuel tank.
I designed and made the small front fender. It will improve the comfort of riding in rain, if needed.
The fuel tank came originally from a Ukrainian Dniepr motorcycle and was heavily modified to accept the frame and allow the battery and other electrics. Józek, an expert welder, explained that the welding was a challenge even for him.
There is a custom exhaust, I made it myself, well with my son really. The entire air box was removed and substituted with two pod filters.
There is a custom, asymmetric number plate holder, and a couple other asymmetric design features in the bike. There is also a custom tail section. I purchased it and modified as needed. I also did the seat padding. Due to all the design changes I had to move the electronics out of the view, to de-clutter the space under the seat.
• Any idea of horsepower, weight, and/or performance numbers?
The standard power is 48HP but the torque is 57Nm. I did not do any performance upgrade to the engine yet, except the Yoshimura end can. It is pretty loud and I hope the bike breaths better now, it’s practically a straight through. The air filter setup was changed too. I may decide to put it on a rolling road to confirm that the combustion is optimal.
As the current weight is just 149kg wet with no fuel, compared to the original 191kg wet, the bike is definitely more dynamic.
• Can you tell us what it’s like to ride this bike?
It is great fun to ride, puts a big smile on my face every time. The bike feels very light and nimble. The control is really good thanks to the posture and wide steering bar. The only change in the suspension was lowering the front on the triple trees. The suspension feels stiffer now with all the weight gone. I must change the tires to have maximum possible grip on tarmac.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
I am proud of the weight loss. It was not the main aim of the build, but it is a really nice side effect. It was a challenge to hide the battery and all the electrical components. I am proud that I’ve managed to hide everything and keep the bike functional. The battery and other stuff is hidden under the fuel tank, which was heavily modified. I am proud of the fuel tank modification.
Moving the speedo, tacho and warning light to the fork was a challenge and I am happy with the end result.
I am proud of the exhaust. The Yoshimura end can makes a lot of sweet noise. Normally I am not keen on DB killers, but I am glad that it came with one. The exhaust is pretty much a straight through.
The coolant reservoir was a challenge. In the donor it is very big and ugly under the seat and it had to go. I moved it near the neck, there was very little space.
Most importantly, I am glad to see the color scheme simulation on the digital graphics. It is first time I tried it and I am happy with the effect. The bike is currently finished in primer. The graphics will help me to choose a nice paint scheme.
• Is there anyone you’d like to thank?
I would like to thank all the professionals I work with. It’s been a couple of years now and I enjoy it every time:
- Przemyslaw Kasperski, digital graphic design: connectorone.com
- Józek – the welder
- Machining, mainly turning: Tok-Spec from Knurów: tok-spec.pl
More Photos
Build Photos
Follow the Builder: Versor Przemek
