BMW RnineT "Valvoline" by Workhorse Speedshop

The BMW RnineT Valvoline by Workhorse Speedshop is a racing-inspired custom streetfighter that channels 1980s AMA Superbike aesthetics through a fully reversible build on a BMW RnineT, wearing a livery drawn directly from a Valvoline-sponsored Lola IndyCar.

The Concept

The brief for this build was rooted in an era when motorcycles were all muscle and attitude: the 1980s naked superbike scene. Workhorse Speedshop looked past the overplayed flat-tracker trend and went straight to 80s AMA Superbike racing for reference. The owner, steeped in racing culture, wanted maximum racing DNA without sacrificing the BMW Motorrad warranty. The solution was a fully reversible modification strategy: both the engine and frame were left completely untouched. Every modification bolts on, nothing is welded or permanently altered. The number 163 painted on the fairing is not arbitrary; it references the first BMW motorcycle to win an AMA Superbike Championship, back in 1976.

The Build

The fuel tank is a fully aluminum unit featuring a Racefit fuel filler and an Earl's Performance breather, with the oil cooler also by Earl's Performance. An upper frame bolts directly to the OEM tank mount without modification. The seat was first shaped in aluminum, then wrapped in Alcantara by Silvermachine of Amsterdam. The rear subframe is covered by a new aluminum unit integrating an LED stop light. The front end locks via a spider bolt-on system, allowing the oil cooler and front plates to connect to the frame while leaving the fork free to move. Front brakes were replaced with Brembo M4 calipers activated by a Brembo RCS19 master cylinder. The exhaust pipes are stainless steel pieces made in-house, paired with superlight Tyga mufflers.

Performance

The RnineT's BMW boxer engine is completely stock yet the riding character is transformed by the upright, aggressive stance and revised ergonomics. The fork received a proprietary internal treatment developed by Workhorse Speedshop. Because the engine and frame remain factory-spec, the motorcycle retains its full BMW Motorrad warranty, a rare quality in the custom motorcycle world.

Specifications

• Builder: Workhorse Speedshop
• Base Model: BMW RnineT
• Engine: BMW Boxer (stock, untouched)
• Tank: Full aluminum with Racefit filler and Earl's Performance breather
• Seat: Aluminum-shaped, Alcantara wrap by Silvermachine Amsterdam
• Brakes: Brembo M4 calipers, Brembo RCS19 master cylinder
• Exhaust: Stainless steel in-house pipes, Tyga mufflers
• Livery: Valvoline-sponsored Lola IndyCar reference, #163
• Warranty: BMW Motorrad (modifications fully reversible)

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