BMW ‘Birdcage’ Custom Motorcycle Is a Skeletal Stunner
A work of art on wheels.
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This custom bike may be called “The Revival Birdcage,” but it’s made to fly free.
BMW commissioned Austin-based Revival Cycles to build a one-of-a-kind motorcycle. What they came up with was a retro design that draws inspiration from the machines championship racer Ernst Hennes set records with in 1920s and 1930s.
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Virtually every component was individually crafted, from the strikingly see-through lattice titanium frame to the handlebars, footrests, shift lever, seat and carbon suspension components.
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“This was our first time to build a frame with titanium, that alone was already a significant challenge,” said Alan Stulberg, head of Revival Cycles. “
“Regardless, the frame came together very well in the end and we are very pleased with the result as it accomplished the goal of being nearly transparent.”
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That ghostly transparency was intentional, as Revival wanted to display the drivetrain and the beastly engine: a new, large-capacity BMW boxer prototype.
Details on its performance and displacement haven’t been revealed, but Top Gear estimates that the air-cooled power plant will rival those of big American hogs from Harley-Davidson and Indian.
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We’ll know more when BMW’s so-called “Big Boxer” engine makes its series production debut in the cruiser segment next year.