Motorcycles

Aluminum-bodied FMC Storm brings jet-like aeros to the motorcycle world

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The FMC Storm is a superb piece of metalwork that completely transforms the BMW R NineT
FabMan Creations
The FMC Storm is a superb piece of metalwork that completely transforms the BMW R NineT
FabMan Creations
Air scoops in the fairings and the front fender feed cooling air to the engine and brakes
FabMan Creations
Another air scoop toward the rear wheel feeds cooling air to the relocated oil cooler
FabMan Creations
The rear swingarm is operational despite a tiny gap between the swingarm cover and the main bodywork
FabMan Creations
Minion-helmet headlight shroud joins seamlessly back to the bodywork thanks to ultra-low mount clip-on bar risers
FabMan Creations
Top-down, you can see the small standard dash, buttons and fuel filler
FabMan Creations
View gallery - 6 images

Draped in liquid-smooth aluminum bodywork, this visually stunning custom motorcycle features a number of air scoops that wouldn't look out of place on a fighter jet, as well as a nearly fully-enclosed front wheel and some absurdly low-mount clip-ons.

It's the work of South Africa's FabMan Creations (FMC), built at the request of a customer using a BMW R NineT as a base. Most of the bike's frame and guts remain intact, including the signature boxer engine, whose cylinder heads peek out through the side panels.

But absolutely everything outward-facing has been replaced. Indeed, even the fuel tank and subframe underneath the bodywork are new. According to BikeEXIF, FMC's Wayne Buys taught himself how to shape aluminum, hammering out panels on a tree stump, a decade ago. He's come along a tad; the metalwork on the Storm looks just about immaculate.

In order to keep shutlines to a minimum, some of these pieces are large and intricately shaped. The main metal fairing, for example, stretches from the front cowl right back to the stubby tail, with barely a fastener visible anywhere to interrupt the silky metal finish.

Top-down, you can see the small standard dash, buttons and fuel filler
FabMan Creations

Not even the handlebars are allowed to interfere here. Buys has created a set of clip-ons that attach to the forks below the bottom triple clamp, then rise up around the fairings to end up close to a normal cafe racer position.

Jet-fighter-style air scoops bring cooling air past the finned engine cylinders at speed, helping the Storm to recover some cooling capacity within its metal shell. Another scoop at the back left pushes air past a relocated oil cooler, and the surreal-looking front fender, which covers the vast majority of the entire front wheel, has two more air scoops in its sides, to bring airflow through the brake calipers.

Minion-helmet headlight shroud joins seamlessly back to the bodywork thanks to ultra-low mount clip-on bar risers
FabMan Creations

The back wheel gets large hub covers too – there's no room for spokes and rims messing up the look on this machine – and the bike's standard single-sided swingarm and shock are hidden too. The gap between the swingarm cover and the main bodywork looks so small you'd struggle to get a pinky finger into it, and yet it allows the back wheel to travel up and down normally.

Some concessions have been made to the all-metal-everywhere concept up top. There's a small leather pad of a seat, a fuel filler cap, some upper heat vents and a dash with some buttons. Indeed, it looks like the standard single-bucket dash off an R NineT Scrambler. The ignition is gone, replaced with a keyless system.

The bike runs and rides, as evidenced by a few Facebook videos, and it sounds terrific. FMC says it's been approached asking if it'll make a kit for other R NineT owners, but that seems unlikely given the complexity of the build. Still, this bike's for sale, and the rest of us can enjoy it in pictures. Nice work!

Source: FabMan Creations via BikeEXIF

View gallery - 6 images
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8 comments
GraemeAlexanderPosker
Seriously "NUTZ", and gorgeous too. Makes my Buell look so yesterday
PhilippeHolthuizen
Whoa, I love this! Thanks for sharing!
NikosSokolis
That would definitely turn some heads on a bike meet. Must weigh a lot though and that unsprung mass... I know it is not the point of the bike but still, beauty through function.
Username
It looks like it's straight out of a 1930's comic. And that is a good thing.
Martin Hone
Other than creating a maintenance nightmare, the real issue would appear to be cooling related. The inlets for the cylinders are fine, but where are the exits ! The forward facing scoop underneath that feeds the oil cooler has the same issue, though I read elsewhere that it is fan assisted. That may work of the fan is located aft of the cooler in a divergent plenum with a large exit or in a low pressure area.....maybe. Anyway, as a styling exercise it look great..
Bob Flint
Too bad for all the skin cover, that gets messed up with a clumsy rider, and what no aero formed mirrors, or am I missing the hidden cameras?
paul04
beautiful motoart. seriously good metalworking skills.
Dan Lewis
It's beautiful. Now, the electric version, please.