FIELD NOTES / 001
THE DIAMOND
JOURNAL
Motorcycles, engineering and the decisions behind every detail. Technical answers and original perspectives from Diamond Atelier.
01 / THE PLATFORM
THE BMW
AIRHEAD
REIMAGINED.
R100R, R100GS and the two-valve Boxer: a guide to the motorcycles behind the Diamond Atelier approach.
EXPLORE THE GUIDE ↗
WHERE DOES THE BATTERY GO?
Frame tube, beneath the tank or another carefully engineered location: the packaging decisions behind a clean build.
READ THE STORY ↗
THE GEOMETRY OF CONTROL.
Handlebar shape, rider position and control placement shape how a BMW Airhead feels before the engine even starts.
READ THE STORY ↗MONOLEVER OR PARALEVER?
A clear guide to BMW two-valve rear suspension and the custom-build choices it changes.
READ THE STORY ↗R100R OR R100GS?
Which classic boxer makes the right starting point for a custom build?
READ THE STORY ↗WHERE DOES THE ELECTRONICS GO?
How Diamond Atelier packages the mo.unit, ignition components and regulator in a clean BMW two-valve Boxer build.
READ THE STORY ↗COMPACT POWER, CLEAN BUILD.
A practical guide to compact BMW Airhead starter batteries, frame-tube and under-tank packaging, and charging-system checks.
READ THE STORY ↗THE BALANCED BOXER.
When crankshaft lightening and fine balancing may fit a BMW two-valve boxer engine project, and what is assessed first.
READ THE STORY ↗THE RIGHT GEARING.
BMW two-valve Boxer gearbox rebuilding, longer or shorter ratios, and the questions to answer before choosing parts.
READ THE STORY ↗17-INCH CROSS-SPOKE WHEELS.
What matters when specifying a 17-inch cross-spoke wheelset for a BMW Airhead, including the Mark II Evo approach.
READ THE STORY ↗WHY DOES THE BATTERY DRAIN?
Battery draining or charging lamp changed after a BMW 2V instrument conversion? Check the circuit before buying another battery.
READ THE STORY ↗OIL IN THE AIRBOX.
Oil in the airbox of a BMW R100? Understand the crankcase breather, common checks and when an open filter needs careful design.
READ THE STORY ↗A SIGNATURE SUSPENSION.
Sag, load, wheel choice and geometry before choosing the Wilbers × Diamond Atelier Signature shock for R100R or R100GS.
READ THE STORY ↗THE PISTON SURFACE.
Why a piston-skirt coating may be considered during a measured BMW Boxer engine rebuild.
READ THE STORY ↗TWO SPARKS, ONE SYSTEM.
An individually engineered dual-ignition conversion for BMW two-valve Boxer engines.
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THE RIGHT R NINET DONOR.
Compare the classic R nineT, Pure, Scrambler and Urban G/S as custom-build starting points; keep the R 12 generation separate.
READ THE STORY ↗A SHORTER TAIL, DONE RIGHT.
The Urban21 short rear section is a separate part for pre-R 12 R nineT models; installation and lighting need model-specific review.
READ THE STORY ↗DESIGNED FOR THE RIDER.
A model-specific route from sag and riding load to Wilbers × Diamond Atelier suspension for R nineT and R 12 riders.
READ THE STORY ↗