Vlado Dinga and Ales Tomis, the dynamic duo behind Earth Motorcycles in Slovakia, have carved a niche for themselves as Europe’s premier bike-modding experts. Their meticulous craftsmanship and shared vision have consistently produced awe-inspiring custom builds.
This particular project, a 1983 BMW R 100, showcases their mastery of the classic airhead platform. With a deep-rooted passion for old-school boxers, Dinga and Tomis started a comprehensive overhaul of the donor bike.
The engine, a worn-out relic, received a meticulous restoration, complete with new valve guides, piston rings, cam chains, seals, gaskets, and a clutch plate. The exterior was treated to a sleek black Cerakote finish, while the Bing carburetors were enhanced with high-performance K&N air filters.
The custom Harley-Davidson Sportster was a labor of love for Vlado and Ales, who transformed the bike into a unique and stylish machine. They replaced the factory subframe with a shorter, hand-built alternative, upgraded the suspension with a YSS shock absorber, and shortened rebuilt forks. The cockpit was also given a makeover, featuring Motogadget instrumentation, a low-profile handlebar, and custom-made risers.
The bike’s exterior was completed with a stunning brown leather saddle, a handmade rear fender, and a blue and white color scheme. Other notable features included heat-wrapped headers, a single Akrapovic silencer, Continental TKC 80 Twinduro tires, Motogadget bar-end turn signals and mirrors, an LED headlight, CNC-machined foot pegs, a swingarm-mounted license plate holder, and auxiliary crash bars.
The custom subframe, combined with the shorter forks, gave the Sportster a more aggressive stance. The YSS shock absorber provided improved handling and comfort, while the heat-wrapped headers and Akrapovic silencer enhanced the bike’s performance and sound. The Continental TKC 80 Twinduro tires offered excellent traction and durability, making the Sportster ideal for both on-road and off-road riding.
The Motogadget instrumentation provided a clean and modern look, while the low-profile handlebar and custom risers improved ergonomics. The brown leather saddle and grips added a touch of luxury, and the blue and white color scheme was both eye catching and timeless.
The CNC-machined foot pegs and swingarm-mounted license plate holder were functional and stylish, and the auxiliary crash bars provided added protection in case of a fall. In addition to the aforementioned features, the Sportster also featured several other custom details. For example, the headlight was mounted in a custom bracket, and the turn signals and mirrors were integrated into the handlebar ends.
The bike also had a custom air filter and a custom exhaust system. Vlado and Ales’ custom Harley-Davidson Sportster was a truly impressive machine. It was a testament to their skill and creativity, and it was sure to turn heads wherever it went.
