I’ve written articles about thousands of custom motorcycles, but every so often a bike crosses my radar that’s unlike anything I’ve seen before. Built by Lithuanian-born motorcycle addict Vytautas Alekna, this mind-bending BMW K1100LT is a custom creation that defies definition.
Growing up with a father who was obsessed with motorcycling, Vytautas was bitten by the bug at an early age. However, his journey into the world of customization came later.
After striking a friendship with motorcycle engineer Mindaugas Silgalis, Vytautas would join him at his workshop after hours to help with his Harley Davidson projects. And it was during one of those late-night sessions that the pair came up with the idea to build the one-of-a-kind K1100LT.
“My dad had purchased a 1993 BMW K1100LT for me as a birthday gift in 2020, ” Vytautas recalls. “I was excited to do just a simple project to start with and my dad wanted me to just leave it original so we could ride together. But I wanted to show him what can be done with some engineering”
Before long the K1100LT was torn down and Vytautas’s first custom project was underway. For the next 3 years, he chipped away at the build. Mindaugas performed most of the fabrication work while Vytautas and his father planned the build. Despite the bikes unorthodox look, function was a priority which is where Vytautas’s father’s engineering background came in handy.
During the build, Vytautas also focused on performance improvements to modernize his thirty-year-old BMW. Wherever possible he’s used BMW parts which were retrofit from modern donors. Starting with the spoked wheels they are a mix of R18 and R1200C rims and hubs which allowed him to use the original drive transfer. The brakes use all Brembo components that once again came from BMW donors. There’s a K1100LT hydraulic clutch which was never featured on this era bike and the clutch itself is a performance item. To complement the clutch upgrades, Vytautas also rebuilt the gearbox along with the engine and driveshaft using new gaskets, seals, and bearings.
The list of custom-made components is, as you’d expect long, but some standouts warrant explanation. The fuel tank is anything but standard. The tessellated design was first mocked up using cardboard. Vytautas then spent a month cutting the pieces with a jig saw from 2mm aluminum plate. These then went to Mindaugas who painstakingly welded everything together. A similar approach was used to build the tentacle-like 4-into-1 exhaust which has been paired with a larger intake and free-flowing K&N filter.
The aluminum fenders are custom made too as are the alloy triple clamp and many of the brackets that have been used to retrofit the new components. There’s a revised rear suspension system, bespoke headlight assembly, and redesigned subframe too, all of which were designed and built from scratch.
Although everything on this bike could be described as eye-catching, it’s the engine covers that have us double and triple-taking. “The casing between the gearbox and the engine has been cut out for the starter and alternator so it’s more open.” Vytautas points out. “The new covers have been built to give a clear view of the internals. It’s not often you get to see a crankshaft and valves in action!”
In keeping with the modern upgrades this K1100LT is also sporting all-new electrics. To complete this task Vytautas tapped into the expansive Motogadget product catalogue. The Motogadget additions include an m.unit controller, wireless ignition, switches, wiring harness, bar end turn signals, and more. The comprehensive custom overhaul also saw the bike fitted with many aftermarket accessories such as rear set footpegs, performance soft and hard fluid lines, and new mirrors and handlebars.
Despite this motorcycle’s unconventional appearance, Vytautas reports that “The bike performs very well. It is compact and light compared to how it was before. I couldn’t even move it onto the center stand before! ”
Sadly Vytautas’ father passed away before his project was completed, but he’s glad that it can serve to show others that anything you can dream up can be built with a little engineering know-how. “Originally my dream was to make a café racer by copying something from online, but Mindaugas pushed me to do something different,” he says. ” I have never seen a motorcycle where you can see the crank spinning and timing cover open too.” I can confidently say neither have I.
