BMW R1232 Custom

This ‘R1232’ is a very unusual custom built by a team led by Jean-Luc Dupont of the French BMW dealer Panda Moto 89. Jean-Luc is based in Villeneuve-Sur-Yonne, south east of Paris, and he’s known for creating BMW customs based on current production models.Most motorcycle marques can point to a single early model that set the tone for those that followed and established the brand. In BMW’s case it’s the R32. It was unveiled at the Berlin motor show in 1923, and it was a good fifty years later before BMW Motorrad shook off the R32′s iconic black-paint-and-pinstripes look.

According to the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America website, ‘Jean-Luc had the idea of creating a modern interpretation of the R32 using current technology. This would be a complete motorcycle design and production exercise, and would require everything to be fabricated … “Harley-Davidson has built its reputation on having their motorcycles as a modern interpretation of the past. I wanted to do the same for BMW, and where better to start than BMW’s first motorcycle, the R32?” said Jean-Luc.’

It’s interesting to compare the specifications of the original R32 with Jean-Luc’s creation. The 1923 bike had 8.5hp and weighed 122kg. The R1232 has 107 horses and weighs 235kg (520 lbs), which is reasonable by today’s standards. So the power-to-weight ratio has increased by more than six-fold. (The six-speed gearbox will ease progress even further.) If there’s a question mark, it’ll be over the braking system and the 2.5” wide tires, which roll on 21” rims at the front and 19” at the back. But then again, you can’t have everything. The R1232 took US$95,000, 16 months and over 600 hours of work to create.

Custom Army Chopper Signed by Obama Up for Auction

Custom Army Chopper

The United States Army Chopper bearing Obama's signature has been built by Hardcore Choppers and dubbed the P-40 Warhawk.

A custom-built two-wheeled machine signed by none other than US President Barack Obama is to go under the hammer in Las Vegas later this week, Barret-Jackson Auctions revealed recently. All the proceeds from the sale of the motorcycle are going to support military families.

Aside from the President's signature, the one-off motorcycle also features autographs from Vice President Joe Biden and national security adviser James Jones. It was, in fact, Jones’ son, Jim Jones, who donated the bike to the auction.

The Custom bike is signed by the US President

The special bike features an Army P40 Warhawk "theme" paint job and has been designed to recall 1950s European race cars. It features a six-speed transmission and a V-twin engine that is capable of developing 150 horsepower and 197 Nm of torque. This amount of power propels it from zero to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 2.7 seconds with a top speed of 160 mph (258 km/h).

Other highlights of this special piece of machinery include aircraft quality wiring, a dove leather seat, handmade "two into one" stainless steel exhaust, and HC "speedster" bars with internal clutch and throttle. Rounding off the package are Avon tires covering the 18" rear and 21" front "speedster" wheels.

The P-40 Warhawk will be auctioned on September 23-25 to benefit the Fisher House Foundation. The foundation builds houses around the country and donates them to the government to provide free housing to military families who have someone being treated at a military or Veterans Affairs hospital.