The engine was made by Andrea Radaelli, of Radikal Chopper, for the prestigious Monaco Motor Show
Show vehicles are in many ways like ‘concept cars’: a showcase of what the manufacturer or designer is capable of. In the case of Andrea Radaelli of Radikal Chopper, that’s a lot. Not in vain, he took first place in the 2020 MBE competition with his Ad Maiora, based on a BMW R1100 S.
Now the Italian designer is leaving its futuristic and ‘cyberpunk’ lines behind to turn to a variant with more Victorian and ‘steampunk’ influences – an aesthetic that mixes science fiction with the 19th century -. This means that while the Ad Maiora had no surface other than brushed metal, the new R 18 Magnifica is well fed with brass, wood and gold tones.
What has not changed at Radaelli is his passion for the Bavarian brand and especially for its large boxer engines. The Magnifica uses the manufacturer’s largest in its stable, a 1,800cc twin, which produces ‘barely’ 90 horsepower, but enough torque to deliver the drive choppers they are known for.
The R 18 Magnifica was unveiled on June 8 at the premiere of the Monaco Motor Show: an extreme reinterpretation of the German maxi cruiser where luxury, craftsmanship and the nobility of the materials used come together in this unique motorcycle. The development of this project was commissioned by Officine Riunite Milanesi to Radaelli, and with this first joint project Radikal Design was born.
Handmade, using noble materials such as brass, aluminum and wood, with a design like no other use: this is the portrait of the BMW R 18 Magnifica. The idea to build a custom bike based on the BMW R 18 came from Raffaello Polchi, owner of Officine Riunite Milanesi.
According to Radelli, “the bike has to be my own creation. I don’t feel like digging up or adapting a concept that has already been put together by others and done well.” The design inspiration for the BMW R 18 Magnifica nods to vintage motorcycles from the 1920s, 30s and 40s, and in particular the BMW R 37, objects that have “an incredible charm that even today many modern bicycles cannot replicate”.
The use of a specific material such as wood is very reminiscent of the motorcycles of the past, who used it for certain details such as the grips; an idea that also occurred to me with the old BMW cars from the 1940s with wooden steering wheels. The use of this material also responds to the desire to put something “alive” on the bike.
There is no CAD or rendering as a starting point, but at most a sketch. The R 18 was initially designed without all the necessary elements for series production and was later redesigned with respect for the proportions between the front and rear of the motorcycle, in order to achieve a harmonious visual logic.
Nothing in the R 18 Magnifica has been bought, everything is designed and built by hand. The exception is the rims, machined from aluminum to a Radikal Chopper design. Even the brake discs and calipers are custom made. The tail and seat are made from one piece of suspension and give the feeling of floating in the air.
The rear is mahogany with a polished stainless steel center section, giving the bike a jewel-like appearance. The forks have the same inclination as the original, but a look reminiscent of vintage bikes; however, the interior is completely modern, built with aluminum parts. The electrical system has not been changed; everything is fully functional. Dimensions, rims and tires have remained true to the original: the bike is perfectly usable.
Under the retro aesthetic hides a technologically modern motorcycle, which has become about 100 kg lighter: in fact, the weight of the BMW R 18 Magnifica is about 250-260 kg, compared to the 345 kg of the original model.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
