Name Kengo Kimura's shop, Heiwa, means “peace” in Japanese, and its logo depicts a dove in flight. These sound like random facts until you look at the custom bikes Kimura-san builds and see that these themes are repeated in each one.
This custom BMW R100 a shining example. Like everything else from Heiva MCIts minimalist lines demonstrate a sense of harmony, and the flying dove that adorns its fuel tank could well be the template for its elegant, conical bodywork.
Kengo tuned a 1981 BMW R100RS to showcase it at the New Order Chopper Show in Kobe, Japan – about 250 km [155 miles] from his workshop in Hiroshima, in a straight line.
Taking a classic BMW street tracker at a chopper show is a bold move, but Kengo has the clout to pull it off. He's one of the guiding lights of the Japanese custom scene and a regular winner of the prestigious Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show.
The most obvious evidence of Kengo’s work is the new bodywork on the BMW R100. The handcrafted tank echoes the shapes of vintage Japanese small-capacity scrambler tanks, making it much smaller than a standard BMW unit. It’s also positioned low on the frame, exposing part of the steering column to add a bit of chopper style.
Behind the tank is a custom seat with an integrated electronics tray. Equal parts organic and geometric, the wasp tail houses a small LED tail light, while Ya Seat Custom upholstery adds a touch of style.
Look closely and you’ll notice that Kengo’s BMW frame conversion is more than just a cut-and-cover job. Instead of simply bolting off the stock subframe and fabricating a new one, Kengo went ahead and eliminated the original rear downtubes of the main frame. He then designed an entirely new rear section that creates space under the tank/seat junction.
New shock mounts connect the frame to the swingarm via a pair of KYB shocks equipped with progressive springs. The front suspension is stock, but it's been lowered a couple of inches.
Kengo showed great restraint when it came to the legendary BMW R100 engine. The cases were almost completely stripped of black paint and cleaned, and the cylinder heads now wear classic peanut-style valve covers. The original airbox and Bing carbs are still in play, too.
Chrome exhaust pipes add a bit of sparkle to the whole setup and are finished off with a pair of extremely stylish extended cone mufflers.
There's nothing fancy about the R100's trim, either. Kengo opted for a set of custom-made, skinny bars, fitted with chopper-style grips and stripped of all visible switches (and no, we don't know where he hid them).
A 4.5-inch Bates light is mounted up front, suspended from a custom bracket that bolts to the top triple clamp, and the stock speedo is mounted to the side of the handlebar clamps. The bike's turn signals are attached to new lugs that Kengo welded to the frame, and the number plate is on a holder mounted to the swingarm at the rear.
Nicknamed “Salty Green” (for obvious reasons), Heiwa’s BMW R100 wears a luxurious candy green livery with silver pinstripes courtesy of Hirokazu Kuba. Muted bronze finishes for the standard Snowflake wheels and rear shock springs add a subtle contrast.
But the real trick here is how the boxer's understated demeanor belies all the clever thinking behind his thoughtful proportions. Kengo is a master of his craft, no doubt about it.
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