A custom BMW R nineT decorated in gold leaf by an Italian tattoo artist has certainly taken the gold medal at a recent art and fashion show in Rome.
The popular R nineT has become the second-best seller in their line-up and has been equally popular among custom bike shops which have developed a range of radical designs from the production bike.
But the gold medal has to go to Italian tattoo artist Marco Manzo with his version of the German roadster.
Italian tattoo artist Marco Manzo with his version of the BMW R nineTHe hasn’t made radical modifications like some of the custom houses. After all, he’s an artist, not a mechanic.
In fact, the bike is pretty much stock standard, except for the extra small headlight under the main light, a higher instrument cluster, new mirrors, LED indicators and a resin rear fender.
The seat and grips have been replaced with leather featuring a python print with gold stitching.
However, the highlight is, of course, the gold leaf film paint from Win Grafix which adorns almost the entire bike.
Marco has managed to create a stunning 3D effect with the gold-over-black paintwork.
It’s not the sort of bike you would ride around the streets, but Marcos’ tattooed Beemer certainly had a fitting public debut recently in Rome.
It featured in the gallery Giuliani of Rome with a fashion show to highlight the various works of contemporary art on show.