Description
Additional photos of this Martin Brune BMW K1 are available here for your perusal.
Every once in a while, we get a submission that’s so comprehensive that it doesn’t make sense for us to try and paraphrase it. This is one of those listings, so we’ll let the seller take it from here:
I am pleased to offer this extremely rare BMW K1-powered bike. This Martin Brune kit bike was originally purchased from Matt Capri at Luftmeister. The frame and bodywork were delivered in 1989 to Henry Louie of Del Amo Motorsports at a cost of $10,500. The bike was assembled, dialed in and shown at the Los Angeles Roadster Show the following year. The bike was ridden a few times over the next year and was then placed in the showroom at Big Twin BMW in Boise in 1992 where it was on display for twenty years.
Some people have a thing for frame welds like these. Actually, for most custom frames in general. And this particular find meets both merits quite nicely. Given the rarity of a BMW powered Martin Brune frame, it is hard to believe we see these bikes at all.
Georges Martin (Noted French frame builder, not legendary English musical producer) built motorcycle frames throughout the 1970s, 1980s, early 1990s. This particular bike is associated with Brune, a German motorcycle performance company. The kit was purchased from US BMW gurus Luftmeister (think turbo kits for Beemers), and hand assembled like any early spec Bimota.
Details:
– Full chromemoly, polished nickel frame
– Hand formed aluminum fuel tank
– Removable tail section exposing full two up seat
– Force Italia quick change front fork
– WP rear shock
– PVM race wheels
– RB Racing Exhaust
– K and N Filters
– Full Brembo Brakes
The builder of this rare Martin Brune (Manfred Brown) feels there may only be 10 left of the 50 he built. The cosmetic condition of this machine is just as good as it looks in the photos. Every finish on the machine is original. No part of the bike has been re-finished. The running condition of the machine is flawless and it starts immediately.
And now to the paint. As you can see in the photos, the paint and body work are superior in fit and finish. When the bike was dropped off in 1990 for paint, the original owner had laid out the color blocking and told the painter to source “BMW Motorsport colors”. And that he did, but not the Motorrad colors as expected but the car colors were used creating the combination seen here! The body work is flawless. The colors are classic BMW “M” motorsport colors – for the car division. These appear to be from a color palette not normally found in nature. The bodywork looks sharp, down to the dual headlight design.
This bike has been part of the seller’s collection for a while and is ridden on a regular basis, although not that much overall. It runs and rides with absolutely no issues. Again, everything on this motorcycle is original to the Brune, including the exhaust system. The seat is also in original condition and is beautiful.
The machine has had absolutely no restoration performed to any part of it. The paint on the tank, fairings, side covers, and cowl is original, and have never had any type of paintwork or touchup. The bike has never been in any type of accident or been dropped at any time. The machine has 25,195 original miles on it, and is in perfect running condition with a compression test having being recently performed. The condition of the engine finishes, is very nice, with the aluminum and cast parts being particularly beautiful for their age.
The seat is original and in perfect condition, and the rear cowl is easily removable, allowing for two up riding. The wheels are original to the Martin Brune, and are also in very nice original condition. All of the mechanical components have been checked over to ensure they work properly including the clutch and brakes, which were recently serviced and adjusted. The fuel injection system was also completely gone through this season, and there is a new battery installed.
The only thing I would do to this machine, if you want to put some serious miles on it, is replace the tires as they are not new. The Avon Storms show no dry rot and are still pliable, but are not new.
Overall, the Martin Brune K1 is very easy to live with mechanically, and very easy on the eyes just to look at on those cold days and nights in the garage when going out for a ride isn’t in the cards.
This example is VIN: HBM0987451248862239. The seller acquired it fifteen years ago from a private party on the East Coast.
The odometer shows 25,195 miles.
Cosmetic Blemishes:
Inside of the tank:
Currently located in Elmhurst, Illinois, this BMW is offered on a clean Illinois title. Have any K1 stories or questions about this listing? Let us know in the “Comments” tab!
