BMW Motorrad unveils custom-built R 18 B 'Heavy Duty'

BMW Motorrad has unveiled a custom-built R 18 B, dubbed "Heavy Duty."

The motorcycle was built by the famous Fred Kodlin and his son, Len. The BMW R 18 B Heavy Duty — which made an appearance at the recently concluded Daytona Bike Week in Florida — had a modified frame and suspensions.

“We have completely remanufactured the upper tubes to lower the fly-line and thus the seat height of the R 18 B. We also redid the steering head and the triple clamps so that the caster fits despite the changed steering angle and so that the bike rides well,” Kodlin said.

As for its suspension, the BMW R 18 B Heavy Duty boasted a system supported by a compressor placed barely visibly behind the left side case.

Kodlin and his team also did extensive changes to the exterior of the BMW R 18 B Heavy Duty. These include a completely new tank; a front spoiler, including a three-color underfloor lighting system; and a front mudguard — all of which were made of fabricated sheet metal.

The custom-built BMW R 18 B Heavy Duty also featured a rear mudguard made from two R 18 B mud guards joined together.

Two side covers made of sheet metal, Marshall loudspeakers and amplifiers, as well as the winglets above the motorbike’s cylinders, are some of the notable appliques found on the BMW R 18 B Heavy Duty.

Finally, the paintwork on the BMW R 18 B Heavy Duty was done by tattoo artist Marcel Sinwell. The custom paint job also showcased hand-painted pinstripes and an airbrushed pattern on the rear mudguard.

“The R 18 B Heavy Duty was a real father-son project. There was a lot of creative input from Len which also goes to show that the next generation at Kodlin Bikes is already in the starting blocks,” stated Kodlin.

Photos from BMW Motorrad

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