11 photos
Photo: FCR Original, via Pipeburn
The French bike modification enthusiasts at FCR Original have experimented with models from a variety of brands in the past, but BMW has been their main focus lately. Like many other workshops, FCR was quickly seduced by the German brand’s R nineT platform, as it offered the perfect canvas to put their ideas into practice. In fact, the shop offers a complete limited production series based on the various nineT variants.
Shown here is one of the additions to their line-up, and it started with a stock BMW R nineT Urban G/S from 2021. In order to get started straight away upon donor delivery, the French did away with the rearmost section of the subframe, fitting in its place a much cleaner-looking, looped replacement, but it’s the new seat that really makes the rear end shine.
Covered in premium brown leather and fitted with two stylish side panels sourced from FCR’s own aftermarket parts catalogue, these were designed from the start as a bolt-on solution, making their installation on the R nineT a breeze. Additionally, the aforementioned subframe comes with an integrated LED lighting strip.
To keep the rear end as clean as possible, a swingarm-mounted license plate holder was installed low on the right-hand side. Interestingly, the front end of the BMW remains largely unchanged, still retaining the stock headlamps, nacelles and high-mounted fenders, although the headlamps now have steel grilles to protect them from damage.
The cockpit reveals a replacement handlebar, no rear-view mirrors, and no less important parts to speak of. Since this bike was clearly going to be a scrambler, the FCR team decked out the wheels with Continental’s beefy TKC 80 knobbies. Not only do they offer great grip on both road and off-road, but they also give the bike a rather rugged look.
Of course, the internals of the boxer twin engine were left unchanged, simply fitted with new breathing equipment to improve airflow. On the intake side, it now has a large K&N pod filter and a blacked-out custom exhaust made from scratch using stainless steel. Aftermarket valve covers with fins were also added for visual effect.
Finally, we come to the paintwork of this example, which is a beautiful mix of teal and white on the various bodywork parts, dominated by black elsewhere, firmly drawing attention to what’s going on in the top half of the R nineT. After all, this elegant custom scrambler has been named Nomad by the craftsmen at FCR Original, emphasizing its versatile and sociable nature.
