The Top Marques event in Monaco is where imagination and money meet. This multiple-day international event showcases the latest and most exclusive luxury vehicles on the market. The 17th annual Top Marques in Monaco started with the unveiling of a custom BMW Motorrad R 18. The custom bike is dubbed the Magnifica by its creator, Andrea Radaelli from Radikal Chopper.
The BMW R 18 Magnifica is a stock drivetrain on a custom chassis surrounded by a blend of brass, aluminum, and mahogany wood. According to Radaelli, inspiration for the R 18 Magnifica came from motorcycles from BMW Motorrad’s styling from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s, and specific models like the R 37. The result is a stunning sculpture of polished metal and varnished wood rolling on custom billet aluminum wheels. The custom bike was commissioned by Raffaello Polchi, owner of Officine Riunite Milanesi and a massive motorcycle enthusiast.
A benefit of the BMW R 18 Magnifica is that while its styling is entirely hand-built, the drivetrain components remain unchanged. The only mechanical parts changed from the factory are the bike’s disc brakes and calipers, modified to fit the hand-crafted aluminum wheels. As a result, the Magnifica rides like a brand-new BMW Motorrad R 18 with a 1,800 cc engine producing 91-hp. Moreover, the R 18 lost weight during the modification process. The R 18 Magnifica reportedly dropped an estimated 220 pounds bringing its curb weight down to around 550 pounds. Probably the only downside to this custom bike is that you cannot admire its beauty while riding.
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