Every so often a custom motorcycle appears in my inbox that is so unique it stops me in my tracks. In a world where everyone wants to be unique and to stand out it’s amazing how many copycat or “influenced” builds are being completed, so to have something really different appear is a special treat. What makes this particular build even more unique, and is perhaps the reason it’s so different, is that it was built by a guy who usually turn spanners on pedal powered bikes. Venetian Alessandro Rorato of Plasma Custom Cycles is a design schooled, two wheeled enthusiast with a skill set that includes custom painting and metal fabrication. Working out of his grandfathers old blacksmithing workshop he builds custom bicycles and has just recently completed this custom BMW R65 he calls “Porn Attitude”.
Working with Achille Vianello, the bikes owner, Alessandro stepped away from the more “eco-friendly” forms of transport he usually works on to build the bike for display at the Verona Motorcycle Expo earlier this year. The 1982 BMW R65 was totally stripped down with the rear part of the frame cut and modified to look like a BMW R50/2 with the classic gas shocks while the rest of the bike was handcrafted by Alessandro in the Plasma workshop.
The bulbous fuel tank was handmade in fiberglass, designed reminiscent of the Dakar desert racers which cradles for the bikes rider in a form fitting riding position.The wheels are Borrani rims laced to 1960’s BMW hubs and the springer fork comes from Harley parts manufacturer W&W, shortened and modified to fit the neck of the BMW frame. The tinted, side mounted head light also comes from a Harley-Davidson while the rocket style taillights are the same ones you’ll find on a ’59 Cadillac.
The engine covers, side plates and belly pan are all custom parts Alessandro fashioned for the BMW from 3mm alloy. German parts manufacturer Motogadget provided the instrument cluster which was mounted to a custom set of bars and modified top clamp. Since almost every part of the bike has been customised all of the bikes brackets (for seat, air filters, rear controls and battery) had to be fabricated especially for the build and even the 2-into-2 exhaust system was entirely hand made. For the paint a base of matte black was used on the frame, wheels and bodywork before ruby red and gold metal flake details were added.
The main goal of the build was not to simply to create a unique looking bike. Achille, the bike owner, made it clear that the finished bike was to be ridden daily so Alessandro tailor made many of the parts to suit his physical proportions and finished them to match his personal style. No aftermarket parts were used and as a result the bike was awarded with a place in the top 20 at Verona amongst hundreds of other custom builds. Now the “Porn Attitude” is loose on the streets of Italy, turning heads and dropping jaws where ever it goes.
Special thanks to Flash Blesst for contributing his images and the story for this story.
