Skrunkwerks' Salt Racer is the
perfect proof that old bikes can spearhead privateer racing
programs and look amazing while at it. It took 18 months of
painstaking work, but the resulting R100 is a bike BMW Motorrad
themselves could be proud of.
The frame of the Salt Racer has been thoroughly modified and
strengthened with special laser-cut braces welded in place to
add structural resilience even in the most demanding situations,
such as racing on salt flats. The engine even got an aftermarket
oil cooler and external filter adapter to provide better
cooling.
Skrunkwerks
chose a BMW R1100RT swingarm for the rear suspension, and mated
it to a R1100S bevel drive. The drive component has a taller
gearing, which serves the racing purpose of the Salt Racer.
Also, the rear section got a Hyperpro shock and a custom
adjustable torque arm to keep everything in control and make
amends if necessary.
A BMW K100 donated its wheels, while the fork was sourced from a
Suzuki GSX-R600. If they look somewhat weird, it's because both
calipers have been removed. The salt plain has plenty of space
for a race bike to slow down gradually, using only the rear
brake. Plus, not front brakes means a serious weight reduction,
as well.
The two
cylinders have been overhauled, as some of the cooling fins were
broken. The valve, intake and exhaust ports have been enlarged,
and the heads got a second spark plug. The fuel system received
dual Lectron Power Jet Pro carburetors to deal with the
increased flow.
Skrunkwerks designed and crafted in-house a special ram-air
intake system that dramatically increases the air flow into the
engine. Protruding on either side of the engine, these two
carbon "horns" change everything you and we knew about the R100
boxer power plant and transform it into a real beast.
Rear and front carbon fenders are a fancy match for the carbon
fiber seat pan that integrates the rear cowl and follows the
lines of the fuel tank. This piece is an olde fiberglass tank
which was cut and welded multiple times until it reached the
perfect shape.
A minimalist dashboard adorns the front end, as the Salt Racer
doesn't need a headlight. The last addition was a steering
damper which is more of a mandatory part on race bikes.
Sleek and exceptionally rich-looking, the Skrunkwerks BMW R100
Salt Racer is the perfect example of less-is-more philosophy.