BMW and Mercedes-Benz are not friends. They’re the greatest of rivals. Enemies even. Except here on this remarkable build from Brooklyn, New York, where an innocent 1980s BMW R100R has been transformed into a Mercedes-referencing café racer called The Escape Machine. You won’t see another like it, and we’re still gawking over the detailing of this remarkable build.

BMW Munich and Mercedes Stuttgart are further apart than the 145 road miles that separates them would suggest. Mercedes 190E owner Tobias van Schneider, Brooklyn-based German-born designer, has brought the two together with this collaborative build, with the angular lines of his 190E reflected here, there and everywhere.


Take the new 3-D printed fairing, with aerodynamic elements designed to reflect the design language of the Mercedes. Or the metallic colourway, executed by Peach Pit Painting to the exact same shade as the 190E. Close look reveals a black line under the lower edge of the fuel tank introducing the power-coated black of the lower part of the bike. It’s a bold approach that introduces the real work that’s gone on, undertaken by customisers oneYedeer.

The Escape Machine: The finer details
Build is not without its eyebrow raisers: that new fairing features a headlight from - of all things - a 1980s Jeep Wrangler. There’s a high-end Mondaine timepiece in the tiny dashboard which also features a more conventional Motogadget speedometer. Clip-on handlebars are aluminium, with Motogadget switches. The fuel tank was angled on new brackets to create a more aggressive stance and to accommodate the updated electronics.

Original engine from R100 has been fully rebuilt by Matias Corea of Myth Motors before its coat of stealth powder black paintwork was applied. Transmission has been overhauled, while every consumable bit and piece has been replaced and there’s now a custom cooling system. A fresh clutch was fitted. This is one brand new engine, ready for a weekend escape.
Handbuilt for precision

"It had to be handmade,” says Tobias van Schneider of the build, "something with charm, something with a unique personality and road presence.” New subframe reimagines riding position, with rider controls moved to passenger foot pegs position. Hand fabrication of the deliberately boxy rear - that 190E reference again - is in laser-cut steel, fitted to the hand-made subframe. Upholstery is in Alcantara.

Finishing touches reflect the impressively obsessive nature of this two-year project. Tank emblems, for instance, announcing The Escape Machine as the work of House of Van Schneider, are in bronze, hand-fabricated by jewellery designer Ashley Keeper.

We’ve no idea how much this build cost, except that it’s a lot of daring, love, work and attention. If you live in a motorcycle world where BMW custom bikes are two a penny, The Escape Machine still looks like something from another planet. Want something similar? Perhaps give Tobias van Schneider a call when you’re next in Brooklyn. At the very least you might get a ride on The Escape Machine. You’ll find us in the nearest still-undiscovered Brooklyn dive, sipping a vodka martini.
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