BMW R45 //
#BOLT47
In the world of classic motorcycle customization, there are a few truly iconic models — and without a doubt, the BMW R45 is one of them. The BMW Boxer Classic is an ideal platform when it comes to choosing a base for a custom build.
At Bolt Motor Company, specialists in café racers and other custom styles, we’re passionate about the BMW Boxer Classics. Do you know their story? The BMW R45 was born out of the brand’s desire to open a new market segment, targeting a younger audience with a smaller budget.
To give you some context, when the BMW R45 first hit the market, it cost around 400,000 pesetas (just over €2,000), which was a significant difference compared to its big sister, the BMW R65.
The model was a success — despite its lower price, its performance was very close to that of the R65, which led to strong sales.
What we aimed to do was transform this heavy, often overlooked bike into a light, comfortable machine with performance that would outshine many newer models.
As if that wasn’t enough of a challenge, the bike didn’t arrive in the best condition. It had spent over 20 years forgotten in a garage, and it needed a lot of love to bring it back to life.
Our first step was to get the engine running — we needed to be sure everything functioned properly before beginning the customization. Once we confirmed everything was working… the party could begin.
We fitted a dual front disc setup to solve the well-known braking issue that plagues single-disc boxers. We added fork gaiters to give it a tougher look, a retro-style LED headlight with cutting-edge lighting tech, and a custom-designed 3D-printed bracket and front number plate from our design department.
While we wanted to keep the build elegant, we added scrambler-inspired elements like knobby tires and a Renthal enduro handlebar.
One thing we were certain about from the beginning was the subframe — we always use the same design for this type of bike: a double-height rear subframe with integrated taillight.
The seat, made from rain-resistant treated leather, was crafted by the talented hands at Tapizados Llop. The license plate holder was also custom-designed by our in-house team.
Now let’s talk about the engine — easily the most time-consuming part of this build. It was completely rebuilt and upgraded with a 960cc high-compression power kit, including modified pistons, cylinders, and heads.
We also installed Dell’Orto racing carburetors to give the bike a more stable and linear throttle response. The GPR GP-approved exhausts feature custom headers handcrafted by our team.
The entire electrical system, wiring, and components are brand new. We also installed a 16-position programmable electronic ignition.
The paint job, done by Airbrush Customs, absolutely nailed the brief — helping us achieve that blend of elegance and urban style. The paint features multiple layers and airbrushed detailing for a premium finish.
With the #BOLT47, our goal was to build a bike that’s bold yet elegant, but most importantly, one with the performance of a modern motorcycle, because the owner plans to ride it almost daily.
Did we succeed?
