Style Rider focuses on the intersection of motorcycle culture and individual style. Here we speak to Tim Gauci about transforming a BMW K75s into an arresting cafe racer that mixes the luxury of Rolls Royce Corniche White painted tank with eccentric elements including a rusting steel seat mount.
Name: Tim Gauci
Residence: Hepburn Springs Victoria
Occupation: Owner, Design + Diplomacy
Instagram: bmw_brick_k75s
Today’s Ride: 1990 BMW K75s custom. This rebuild involved a complete strip down and frame re-configuration to a cafe racer style. The custom steel seat frame increased the height by 40mm and was upholstered in diamond stitched Alcantara; the petrol tank was repaired and re-sprayed to Rolls Royce Corniche White with alloy etched BMW badges; new electrics throughout including a M-Unit, M-Scope Pro Dash, LED headlight and rear light cluster, LED indicators, lower triple clamps, clip-ons, custom front guard, machined and polished alloys, removed airbox, pod air filter, high performance Magnecor leads, BSK Speedworks Race exhaust and rear sets, relocated battery, custom SS Coolant tank, Dime City Cycles fish-eye mirrors, engine re-paint, custom radiator cover, machined leavers and handmade rear stone guard.
This project was a complete rebuild and reshaping of the original BMW K75s into a cafe racer that mixes the rattiness of rusting steel (seat mount) with the luxury of Rolls Royce paint. The motorcycle is named Stormtrooper after an Instagram follower suggested the tank looked like a Stormtrooper.
Describe your style: My personal style comes from my experience in living overseas and can best be described as European with an eccentric edge. I like to push boundaries and be different. Today I am wearing a Seiko Samuari watch, Saint Leather jacket with Ghost Armour, vintage Australian vest, Zara Milan pants, Moto Cotton scarf, Bell Moto helmet, RST Armour gloves and Thorogood Boots.
Favourite items: My “Internal Combustion Engines”—The BMW K75s Stormtrooper, Honda VT 750 Bobber, Honda VT 1100 Bobber, Audi RS3 8V APR E85 tuned and lowered to be a 10 second quarter mile car—, my home gym, watches (Seiko Samurai pictured) and clothes.
Next purchase: Maybe a Harley Sportster for my next cafe racer project.
Style inspiration: Hard to say although I find older fit and eccentric dudes inspiring. Also classic tailoring with an edge.
Best local ride: Hepburn to Swiss Mount Hotel turning off towards Sandon, the backroads to Guilford and then back to Hepburn.
Best distance ride: Down to Queenscliff, ferry across to Sorrento, then around the Peninsula, back up to Yarra Valley, Black Spur and home.
Tip for stylish motorcycling: Stay in shape!! Wear gear that fits well, be confident (not arrogant), make sure your pants and jacket sleeves are long enough to cover wrists and ankles!!
Tip for best looking safe riding gear: Saint. The best. Style with protective elements. And buy a helmet that matches your bike. The Bell Moto is perfect with the Stormtrooper.
Next motorcycle trip: Maybe Tassie on the big bike with my gorgeous wife.
Why do you like riding? Just because! It’s free, open, engaging and requires focus and courage.
