New project for special client. Phil wants the most special custom ever built on a CJ 750 basis. We took a long time to define the scope of the project, as there were so many possible themes. Eventually we settled on the Mustang P51 warbird as the theme for this one-of-a-kind übersidecar.

Every aspect of this project is a challenge for the shop. In this post, we'll cover the motor.

We decided to integrate the best motor BMW ever made in the late 70 - early 80s, the R-80. This 800cc beast of burden is unkillable. It is equipped with an electronic ignition system which makes it different from the R60 and R75 lines of motors. To ensure Phil would have the best motor available on the market, we took 3 months to locate the right power mill. The pictures below show you some of the motors we considered as possible choices. 

From the state of its parts, we can tell this one has low miles. We benchtested it, it rumbles like clockwork.

Phil prefers his engine polished: you can see it below, back from the polishing booth. The cylinder fins were not in prime condition after 30 years, so we polished them and recoated them in black. We also repainted black stripes on the engine case, just like on the original motor.