A Malibu owner with a 911 Turbo wanted a matching BMW R90 for his weekend canyon jaunts, and naturally, he called Robert. The result? A 1974 custom BMW R90 brought back from the brink—restored, refined, and ready to ride. It is absolutely beautiful.
A Custom BMW R90 That Only Roughchild Could Do
Ah, the lure of a classic machine, that raw beauty of old-world craftsmanship meeting modern ingenuity. Two icons, the Porsche 911 and BMW R series, defined by their air-cooled boxer engines and undeniable style. Enter Robert Sabel, the man behind Roughchild, and a guy who’s made it his life’s work to keep these mechanical masterpieces alive.
The engine? Completely rebuilt. Nikasil cylinders, fresh 1000cc pistons, and a twin-plug conversion for a bit more punch. The gearbox? Oh, it’s got a longer 5th gear to smooth out those highway stretches. And let’s not forget the SmartCarbs, which keep this thing humming along like a finely tuned watch.
Of course, Robert didn’t stop at the engine. The bike’s got Ohlins forks, Brembo brakes, and a suspension setup that balances plushness with precision. The bodywork is a nod to vintage BMWs, but it’s the Irish Green paint that steals the show, tying it back to the owner’s Porsche.
With blacked-out rims, custom handlebars, and an Alcantara seat straight out of a Porsche GT3, this bike is as comfortable as it is stunning. Paired with his Porsche, this Malibu owner now faces the ultimate dilemma: which green machine to unleash on those winding canyon roads?
Check out the full write-up on Pipeburn.
