MOBILITY/MOTORBIKES: The good old „Junkers Ju 52“ on two wheels: The R 18 Custom Bike IRON ANNIE from BMW partner VTR Motorrad AG & VTR Customs in aviation style!
Who doesn’t know the good old „Aunt Ju“ Junkers Ju 52, the legendary three-engined commercial and transport aircraft from the 1930s. The Ju 52 with the aircraft registration D-AQUI in the Lufthansa colour scheme grey-black from 1936 became particularly famous worldwide. During its time in the USA from 1970 to 1984 under the American aircraft registration N52JU, it was christened „IRON ANNIE“ for short by its then owner Martin Caidin.
It was precisely this aircraft that inspired a customer of BMW partner VTR Motorrad AG & VTR Customs in Schmerikon, Switzerland, to create a very special customised version of the BMW R 18 – the R 18 „IRON ANNIE“. Years before, the architect had already had an individual R nineT built entirely according to his ideas at VTR Customs and this time, too, aviation style elements from aircraft construction were to be used.
For example, the dial of the speedometer integrated into the tank, which is supposed to be reminiscent of old cockpit instruments, or access panels with quick-release fasteners like those found on many aircraft. And of course, it was imperative to borrow from the Ju 52’s characteristic corrugated aluminium planking. At the same time, the seat was to be reminiscent of an equestrian saddle and, of course, only the „IRON ANNIE“ colour scheme in grey and black came into question for the paintwork.
A BMW R 18 First Edition served as the starting point for the customising project. Therefore, the engine was first removed and painted black. All the chrome parts were also painted black and the fork tubes were given a black coating in the form of a DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating.
The cockpit fairing was pulled back as narrow and flat as possible to emphasise the streamlined shape. A low, crouched line is supported by the fork, which has been shortened by 7 cm, and a height-adjustable Wilbers shock absorber. „To make the bike look smaller and more delicate between the wheels, we had large 18- and 21-inch wheels made by Kineo,“ adds Daniel Weidmann, owner & managing director of
VTR Motorcycle & VTR Customs.
As a further technical treat, HC3 pumps from Magura in racing style were installed instead of the standard R 18 brake and clutch fittings. The dial of the customising speedometer also received a hand specially made by watchmaker Zeitzone Zurich.
„One of the big challenges with the R 18 IRON ANNIE were the replica cooling fins in the area of the rear silencers. Shaping these parts into parallel and beautiful radii and at the same time still fastening them harmoniously took some trial and error,“ says Daniel Weidmann about the aluminium sheet metal work. These required countless hours of work, as the fuel tank, the tail with the suggested tail fin of an aircraft, the side panels and the cockpit cockpit were all artfully hand-formed from aluminium sheet. Reminiscences of traditional metal aircraft construction are also provided by the numerous lens-head rivets.
„What almost pained us a little when we saw all the handmade, bright aluminium sheets shimmering and shining was the subsequent painting. But we are extremely satisfied with the result, because it makes the R 18 IRON ANNIE even more distinct from our well-known SPITFIRE, which is also in aviation style,“ Daniel Weidmann continues.
The R 18 IRON ANNIE receives road approval and will cause astonishment now and then in its new home on Lake Geneva. Committed to the customer promise, however, it remains a one-off.
BMW R 18 IRON ANNIE by VTR Customs:
Basis: BMW R 18 First Edition.
Sheet metal parts: Tank, rear, side panels, cockpit, mudguard, aluminium handmade by VTR Customs.
Fork: shortened and DLC-coated stanchions.
Suspension: Wilbers height adjustable.
Wheels: Kineo front 3.5 x 21″, rear 6 x18″.
Tyres: Avon Cobra, 120/70-21 and 200/55-18.
Handlebar: ABM Vario Clip.
Speedometer: Customised by Zeitzone Zurich.
Brake / clutch pump: Magura HC3.
Saddle: VTR Customs & Yves Knobel Saddlery.
Exhaust system: Walzwerk.
Number plate holder: Berham Customs.
Indicator and rear lights: Kellermann Atto.
Headlights: HIGHSIDER.
Paintwork: VTR Customs & Freuler AG, Benken.
Disclaimer.
The vehicles shown may be modified and fitted with accessories from third-party suppliers and/or proprietary parts which are neither manufactured, distributed nor tested by BMW. BMW assumes no liability for the modifications (including the installation, characteristics and use of the accessories shown). CAUTION: Modification of production vehicles (including the installation and use of third-party and proprietary parts) may impair the driving characteristics! Driving our vehicles in modified condition is at your own risk.
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BRAND: BMW AG
virtualdesignmagazine Michael Hiller
