ACKNOWLEDGMENTS & SOURCES
Builders, Specialists & Suppliers
The people and specialist businesses whose knowledge, craftsmanship, components, and support have contributed to these machines, together with riding organizations relevant to the journeys documented here.
MENTORS
BMW Experts
Personal knowledge, time, and practical help contributed directly to the work.
Duncan Kautz · Duncan's Beemers
BMW motorcycle specialist, trusted advisor, and remarkably dependable mentor, Duncan Kautz has been part of this story since I bought the original R100R from him. Whenever a problem arises, Duncan has a practical solution—and somehow always seems able to produce exactly the part needed to make it happen. His technical depth, generosity, and steady hands-on help with diagnosis, repair, transport, and continued development have made him indispensable to the evolution of these motorcycles and to Custom-Konrad itself.
Matias Corea · Myth Motor
Author of Two Wheels South, designer, and creative force behind the original Myth 002, Matias Corea became a formative mentor in the R80ST’s evolution. Working alongside him in Brooklyn—installing the Siebenrock 1070 cc big-bore kit on the R100R and refreshing Myth 002 after its African journey—provided an invaluable hands-on mechanical education and established much of the foundation for the broader project. While observing my decisions, he also coined the nickname “Custom-Konrad”.
FABRICATION
Fabricators & Development Partners
Trusted craftspeople and specialist partners who help turn one-off designs and engineering ideas into durable hardware.
All Metal Fabricators
Precision fabrication and development partner whose laser-cutting, practical experience, and hands-on support help translate Custom Konrad designs into accurate, repeatable hardware.
Drag Race Solutions
Racing-hardware specialist and development partner supporting the airbox project with DZUS quarter-turn hardware and unusually accommodating help on custom requests for the first series.
SPECIALIST BUSINESSES
Builders, Manufacturers & Suppliers
Independent specialists whose products, services, and technical focus are directly relevant to the motorcycles documented here.
Arboreal Systems
Made-in-USA motorcycle electrical distribution and control systems behind the Neutrino Element and Aurora family and the newer, more capable Apogee platform, with solid-state high-current circuits, CAN bus integration, relay inputs, temperature sensing, and Bluetooth connectivity.
BOOST Products USA
U.S. distributor for German-designed and tested performance and fabrication components, including aluminum joiners and bends, silicone hose, intercooler hardware, stainless and titanium exhaust parts, fittings, and heat-protection materials.
Boxerbasis
Classic BMW two-valve motorcycles, tested parts, and rare period components.
Euro MotoElectrics
BMW motorcycle charging, ignition, starter, electrical, and service components.
K&N
Performance air-filtration and intake components, including the reusable round filter used in the Custom Konrad BMW Airhead airbox modification.
MessnerMoto
Designer and manufacturer of precision custom motorcycle components, with a substantial BMW Airhead catalog of CNC-machined controls, rearsets, triple clamps, adapters, and related hardware, including several components sourced for the upcoming Custom Konrad R100R modification.
motogadget
Digital motorcycle instruments, controls, and vehicle-electrical systems—including the mo.unit blue at the heart of the R80ST’s custom wiring architecture.
Motoren-Israel
BMW two-valve Boxer engine and drivetrain services, parts, and technical support.
NWT Cycletronic
Modular motorcycle electrical systems, control components, and custom wiring support.
Siebenrock
Performance and replacement components for BMW two-valve Boxer motorcycles.
Silent Hektik
Digital ignition, charging, and vehicle-electronics systems for classic motorcycles.
Sport Evolution
BMW conversion work, specialist components, and purpose-built motorcycles.
NAVIGATION
Navigation & Planning
Mapping and navigation tools used to research routes, plan trips, and stay oriented off pavement.
onX
Outdoor mapping and navigation platform used for route planning, trail research, offline maps, and off-road navigation.
RIDING COMMUNITY
Riding Organizations
Organizations whose rides, rallies, technical events, route development, and calendars offer useful points of connection for BMW and adventure riders.
Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR)
Nonprofit adventure-motorcycling organization developing and maintaining Backcountry Discovery Routes, with free GPS tracks, route updates, maps, planning resources, and rider-awareness programs.
BMW Riders Association
A national BMW riding organization centered on riding, events, technical exchange, and On The Level magazine.
Yankee Beemers Motorcycle Club
A New England BMW motorcycle club with road and GS rides, campouts, rallies, technical events, and year-round activities.