RA75 - Custom Cafe Racer Motorcycle

The RA75 by Time Machine is a custom cafe racer motorcycle built on a 1971 BMW R75/5 airhead, the machine that launched BMW's rise to dominance in the motorcycle market. Time Machine stripped the original to its bones and rebuilt it as a contemporary masterpiece, preserving every element worth keeping and rethinking everything else.

The Concept

Time Machine chose the BMW R75/5 for a reason: it is one of the purest expressions of the classic boxer twin, with drum brakes, spoke wheels, and a front suspension geometry that defines the airhead era. The RA75 project set out to honour that heritage while bringing the electrical architecture, controls, and ergonomics into the modern age. Nothing was changed for the sake of it, and nothing original was discarded without a direct improvement taking its place.

What Makes It

The electrical overhaul begins with the removal of the original oversized headlight unit that housed all gauges and indicator lights. In its place, Time Machine fabricated a custom bracket off the triple tree with dedicated branches for each function. The LED headlight sits in a metal ring clamped at the base, keeping the front end open and airy. A Motogadget Motoscope Tiny speedometer floats above it alongside minimal push-button controls. The entire system runs through a Motogadget M-Unit Blue hidden beneath the tank, paired with a custom wiring harness and an m-lock FOB ignition, so there is no keyhole to break the silhouette. All wiring runs inside the handlebar, leaving the cockpit spotless. Controls are Domino clutch and brake levers with a Domino quick throttle, improving throttle response over the 1971 original while keeping the look deliberately restrained.

The Build

The core elements of the BMW airhead design are preserved: classic drum brakes, spoke wheels, and the original front suspension geometry. The subframe, rear suspension, and front setup were completely rebuilt to current standards. Continental TKC80 tyres give the RA75 a dual-purpose character that suits both open roads and tighter mountain routes. The 749cc air-cooled boxer twin runs a 4-speed gearbox and produces the characteristic flat-twin sound that no water-cooled engine can replicate. At 33,500 euros, the RA75 is a complete, road-legal machine delivered ready to ride.

Specifications

• Builder: Time Machine
• Codename: RA75
• Base motorcycle: 1971 BMW R75/5
• Engine: Air-cooled boxer twin
• Displacement: 749cc
• Transmission: 4-speed
• Brakes: Drum brakes (original)
• Tyres: Continental TKC80
• Electrical brain: Motogadget M-Unit Blue with custom wiring harness
• Speedometer: Motogadget Motoscope Tiny
• Ignition: Motogadget m-lock FOB system
• Levers: Domino clutch and brake, Domino quick throttle
• Lighting: LED headlight in custom ring mount
• Price: 33,500 EUR

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