BMW Motorrad, R 18 IRON ANNIE: an exclusive interpretation with aeronautical references [PHOTO]

The historic Junkers Ju 52 transport plane, renamed "IRON ANNIE" during its activity in the United States between 1970 and 1984, is the vehicle commemorated with the example R 18 IRON ANNIE, a special customized version of BMW R 18. The plane inspired a partner customer BMW VTR Motorrad AG & VTR Customs in Schmerikon, Switzerland.

A unique motorbike

La BMW R 18 IRON ANNIE it will obtain road approval and will remain a unique example, as promised to the customer.
The bike features a speedometer dial integrated into the tank that harks back to old cockpit instruments. The speedometer dial itself is customized, featuring a hand specially developed by Zurich watchmaker Zeitzone.

Access panels with quick release closures are also highlighted, another aspect visible on several aircraft, just as the corrugated aluminum plating is characteristic, still recalling the historic Ju 52.
Several hours of work were needed to define this example, as the fuel tank, side panels, rider area and airplane-like tail fin are all molded from sheet aluminum . Further references to aeronautical tradition are also the numerous lens-head rivets.

The basis of the project is one BMW R 18 First Edition and initially the engine was removed and painted black. The chrome parts have also been coated in black, as have the fork legs which have received a coating in the form of a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) treatment.
The 7 cm shorter fork and the height-manageable Wilbers shock absorber highlight the profiled shape of the bike, which features 21 and 18 inch Kineo wheels with Avon Cobra tires in sizes 120/70-21 and 200/55-18 .
As a further technical aspect, racing-style HC3 pumps from Magura have been adopted instead of the standard solutions of the R 18.

The area intended for the pilot is set back, appearing compact and flat at the seating point. An aspect that reinforces the aerodynamic vision. The seat is reminiscent of a riding saddle and the paintwork of the example is the result of a combination of the gray and black colors that reference “IRON ANNIE”, along with other distinctive details.

Photo: BMW Motorrad – BMW Group