BMW K100 Z17.1 "Lux"

The BMW K100 cafe racer Z17.1 "Lux" by Z17Customs is a Moscow-built custom motorcycle that fuses 1980s inline-four engineering with a bold, photographer-driven color philosophy. Despite looking like a gallery piece, it is a trusted daily rider and not an exhibition toy.

The Concept

The Z17.1 Lux started as a commercial project driven by Sergey, co-partner and craftsman at Z17Customs, alongside designer Mike. The pair tracked down the only BMW K100 for sale in Moscow through a Japanese motorcycle reseller. The bike had sat unsold for a long time, with a broken mirror and a leaking exhaust that filled the floor with smoke on first start. They bought it anyway. Inside, the engine turned out to be in extraordinary condition: every screw, nut, and bolt was factory-original, never touched by another hand.

The Build

Disassembly took less than a week. Around 50 kilograms of parts were stripped away, including all the plastic 1980s bodywork, revealing the lean architectural form of the K-series frame. From that point, Mike and Sergey had completely different creative directions. Sergey eventually stepped back, giving Mike full creative control. As a professional photographer, Mike approached the build the way he approaches a shoot: color first. In a world of black, red, and blue customs, he started with the seat color and built everything outward from that single decision. Parts sourced from Germany, China, the United States, and rare Russian suppliers were all assembled in-house.

What Makes It

The finished Lux carries integrated fog lights on both sides, added not for aesthetics but for safety on modern city roads. The headlight and taillight each house integrated turn signals, keeping the silhouette clean. The DOHC inline-four engine produces 90 hp and 86 Nm of torque from 987cc, making the Lux as capable as it is striking. The color palette defies convention, a deliberate choice from a builder trained to see what others walk past. Every component is finished or sourced to serve that vision without compromise.

Specifications

• Designed by: Mikhail Kostylev (Z17Customs)
• Assembled by: Sergey Moonshn (Z17Customs)
• Built in: Moscow, Russia
• Base bike: BMW K100 (1988)
• Engine type: Longitudinal DOHC Inline-4
• Displacement: 987cc
• Power: 90 hp
• Torque: 86 Nm

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