Revival Build Bio

When the BMW R nineT was first released back in 2014, Revival was able to get its hands on the first one in Texas. A local client was in love with BMW’s new Retro-inspired standard motorcycle and wanted his personal touches added to his new toy. However, this motorcycle was designed to be ridden, so all modifications had to keep the build as reliable as the factory specifications. The project started out pretty mild with a new slip-on style custom exhaust, clean up the handlebars, add a Wunderlich fairing, and a custom upholstered seat. Once the motorcycle started coming apart and the Revival crew brainstormed on BMW’s new platform, the project scope got a little out of hand.

The first step was to eliminate the factory airbox to visually clean up the rider triangle. In keeping with the rideability goal of the project, a custom open-element air filter was housed in a custom fabricated bracket with stainless steel tubing to connect to the factory throttle bodies while keeping the air filter protected from the rain yet still increasing the R9t’s breathing ability. Since the subframe was off and the airbox was gone, why not build a full stainless steel high mount exhaust, utilizing the factory intake snorkel as a heat shield! As cool as the fully custom exhaust is, it did require extensive heat shield fabrication under the fuel tank and electronics relocation to keep up with the OEM rideability requirements of the brief. An effort was made to keep the exhaust note reasonable with a custom-built, tuneable exhaust silencer (though it is still quite loud…). An Anti-Gravity 12-cell battery was located under the fuel tank, and a one-off hand-formed front engine cover was then fabricated. A smaller R100 oil cooler was fitted with custom brackets to show off the engine and clean up the area in front of the engine while keeping the engine cool in the Texas heat. Then a prototype set of RSD valve covers were fit to the R9t after weeks of delays and manufacturing issues. Luckily all of those prototype headaches were solved long before the actual valve covers went on sale to the public. With the engine looking and breathing sound, the decision was made to add a set of beautiful Kineo wheels with their unique spoke design allowing a tube-less spoked wheel. While not only looking great, they also reduce unsprung weight helping performance. A set of sticky Pirelli MT60’s gave the bike an aggressive look while adding a significant amount of grip.

Turning to the cockpit, a set of LSL handlebars were fitted with MotoGadget bar-end disc turn signals and a pair of Rizoma mirrors. Additionally, a custom laptop bag was constructed out of Bison leather along with a set of hand-built mounts. The seat was upholstered in matching Bison leather along with the grips for a truly cohesive rider experience. The last details were a hand-formed undertail built from scratch to cover the Radiantz LED tail light w/ integrated turn signals. Since the paintwork was literally brand new, the Revival crew couldn’t bring themselves to ruin it, so a set of tasteful white pinstripes were added to further recognize the classic BMWs before the R9t, which helped pave the way for this modern stunner.

Starting Platform

• Manufacturer: BMW
• Year: 2014
• Model: R nineT

Frame modifications

• Shortened tail section of frame

Bodywork

• Custom built alloy under tail
• Recess mount LED tail light strip w/ integrated turn signals
• Revival Cycles license plate mount
• Wunderlich front fairing

Engine

• Hand fabricated alternator cover
• Custom single air filter w/ heat shielding and stainless steel intake tubes
• Relocated smaller oil cooler
• RSD valve covers

Exhaust

• Custom built, stainless steel 2 into 1 high exhaust, routed under the fuel tank
• Custom built, tune-able high mount silencer
• Heat shielding built around exhaust to protect electronics
• Fiberglass exhaust insulation used on non-visible areas

Tires/wheels

• Kineo wheels
• Shining Silver Rims
• Shining Silver Hubs
• Black Nipples with Black Spokes (3.5”x17 5.5”x17”)
• Pirelli MT60RS tires 120/70/17 front 160/60/17 rear

Hand controls/bars

• LSL silver drag bars, fat bars
• MotoGadget M-Blaze Disc bar end turn signals
• Rizoma Reverse Retro mirror

Electrical

• Lengthened O2 sensor wiring
• Load resistors added for LED turn signals
• Custom wired tail light and license plate light

Seat

• Custom upholstered Bison skin seat
• Matching hand sewn Bison grips
• Custom built single saddle bag from Bison leather
• Stainless steel fabricated saddle bag attachment w/ quick release fasteners

Paint

• Classically inspired white pin-striping added to fuel tank, front fender and front fairing