In the windswept coastal town of Husum, Germany, often called the "Grey City by the Sea", the air is thick with salt and heritage. It is here that Holger Breuer of HB-Custom operates, a builder who has spent years proving he is anything but a one-trick pony. We’ve seen him tackle everything from rally-raid Honda Dominators to sharp-edged Suzuki Katanas, but for his latest personal project, Holger decided to look backward, way backward.
To understand the gravity of this build, one must appreciate the donor. The 1968 BMW R69S was the high-water mark of the post-war 'Slash-2' era. A 594cc touring powerhouse, it produced 42 hp and was famous for its rock-solid stability, thanks to its double-cradle frame and distinctive Earles fork suspension. It was a bike built to cross continents without breaking a sweat, but its quirky geometry makes it a rare sight on the custom circuit.
"I could not find any custom bikes built on these old models," Holger explains. "The reason is obvious: the frame and the suspension are very tricky. They are not easy to adapt and are definitely not easy to make pretty."
Holger’s vision was a modern interpretation of the 1920s BMW R32, the bike that started it all. The most striking element of this homage is the hand-forged, split aluminum fuel tanks. They straddle the frame's top tube, creating a low-slung, vintage under-slung profile that immediately visually lowers the bike's center of gravity.
But while the silhouette whispers of the 1920s, the heartbeat is pure 1980s muscle. Holger binned the original 600cc unit in favor of a completely rebuilt 1000cc BMW R80 engine. To ensure the powerplant breathes with modern urgency, he fitted Mikuni TM36 flat-slide carburetors and a sintered clutch to handle the power. The result? A jump from the original 42 hp to a stout 75 hp.
To make that extra power usable, the chassis needed an overhaul. The iconic Earles front end was retained but brought into the 21st century with fully adjustable YSS shock absorbers. At the rear, the plunger-style movement is now controlled by a pair of adjustable Koni shocks.
The bike rolls on high-shoulder alloy rims laced with 4mm stainless steel spokes to new hubs, wrapped in vintage-style 4.00x18 Shinko tires that nail the vintage racing aesthetic. The cockpit is equally refined, featuring Magura riser handlebars, Magura switches, and a minimalist Motogadget speedometer.
The level of detail is what we’ve come to expect from HB-Custom. A custom stainless steel exhaust system terminates in classic Hoske mufflers, providing a baritone boxer growl that matches the bike's aggressive stance. The lighting is ultra-modern but discreet, utilizing Motogadget turn signals up front and Kellermann units at the rear.
The build took over a year of sporadic work in between customer projects. "It's my own motorcycle; it wasn't a customer order," says Holger. Because it was built for himself, the finish is uncompromising.
Though Holger built this R69S to satisfy his own curiosity, he’s reportedly open to entertaining offers. If you’ve ever wanted to own a piece of Husum’s finest engineering that bridges a century of BMW history, now is your chance.
HB-Custom: Website
Comments