BMW Motosport badge/emblem

[xyxy]

Hey all, not sure where to post this, I have a question.
I want to replace old cracked tank logos on my k75, an I've found those M logos with helmet design.

Were they actually used by BMW on any of their motorcycle or those are 3d party?

[Laitch]

I don't believe that BMW would sully its 50 year anniversary emblem by placing a helmet in the center of it because the letters BMW and the Bavarian flag symbol are at the center of its universe. They'd be just as likely to put a spatula silhouette in there.

[Chaos]

My understanding of the BMW logo is it represents a spinning propeller,  that one makes me dizzy. 

[Laitch]

My understanding of the BMW logo is it represents a spinning propeller,  that one makes me dizzy.

Look away! 

Here's the meaning from BMW's perspective.

[sooprvylyn]

I've seen those badges too. To my knowledge they never used a helmet on their heritage badge. If you do want heritage badges, I got a guy that can print you metal badges with the right colors. Won't be enamel, but they look nice. I have them all over my bike.


Yes, they used the heritage badge on some k bikes. I have an oem k100 belly pan with oem paint and badge when I purchased it on ebay. The badge that was on it was the heritage badge. My buddy in CA also purchased a 94 k1100rs and had oem heritage badges on it too. It's correct for k bikes.

I measured the oem badge with calipers and color matched to pantones to create the vector art I gave my badge maker. He's reasonably cheap too, like $40 for the 5 badges I had made.

[sooprvylyn]

Also the spinning propeller thing is a myth.  The design is just from the Bavarian flag...with the colors reversed due to some weird law about the Bavarian flag not being legal on commercial logos when the logo was originally conceived. Has nothing to do with propellers, but it's a nice story.

[sooprvylyn]

Also, please note that the heritage badge and the current anniversary badge are similar, but not the same. The original motorrad heritage badge has a smaller bmw logo in the center of it than the current anniversary badge. The proportions of your helmet badge are right for heritage, but the helmet wouldn't be there and it's missing the BMW letters. Hmu if you want the art and details about the guy I had do my badges.

[sooprvylyn]

This is the correct one

[sooprvylyn]

On the bike...these I color matched to my stripes(attempted to anyway) so the color is a little different than oem.

[xyxy]

On the bike...these I color matched to my stripes(attempted to anyway) so the color is a little different than oem.

Those looks nice! I found that BMW San Jose motorcycles do make them as well and was going to order, but haven't yet.

What would be the price if your friend makes them? I need two 70mm for tank, and I think 60mm for the rear, need to confirm sizes though.

[frankenduck]

Look away! 

Here's the meaning from BMW's perspective.

Good link which explains the history of where the spinning prop thing came from.

[frankenduck]

Those looks nice! I found that BMW San Jose motorcycles do make them as well and was going to order, but haven't yet.

What would be the price if your friend makes them? I need two 70mm for tank, and I think 60mm for the rear, need to confirm sizes though.

70(2) for tank and 60 for tail cowl is correct.

[sooprvylyn]

Those looks nice! I found that BMW San Jose motorcycles do make them as well and was going to order, but haven't yet.

What would be the price if your friend makes them? I need two 70mm for tank, and I think 60mm for the rear, need to confirm sizes though.

I got 5 badges custom printed for like $40(i actually doubled that order in case of any future damage or loss for $60 so I keep spares). Its a guy I found on etsy that makes custom badges for the center of car rims.  The guy's name is Christiano, and he is out of Spain.  His english isnt great, so takes a little patience to get everything communicated. If you have access to ChatGPT it will translate your messages quite well and make the process easier.

Look for "Logocarhouse" on etsy...or click this link https://www.etsy.com/shop/LogoCarHouse?ref=yr_purchases.

If you message me via email at nick@zox.la I can send you the vector art and pantones for the correct heritage badge.

IMO it looks as good as the enamel(perhaps better), and they are durable enough that they last on my rear wheel next to my exhaust with brake dust and road grime.  He's pretty quick too, usually takes like a week to get em

If you do order from this guy, get the flat ones for the tank - the domed ones dont stick to the badge depression as well as the flat ones do.

[xyxy]

I got 5 badges custom printed

Thank you, I've sent you an email.
So you have those badges on wheels as well as on tanks?

[sooprvylyn]

I have the badges on my tank(70mm flat), on my engine spoiler(from a k100) in the stock location(60mm flat), on my rear wheel cap(70mm flat), and on my rear cowl(45mm domed). 

The tank size and the engine spoiler size match stock. The rear wheel never had a badge stock, I added it for my build. The rear cowl is custom made, I dont know OEM badge size for the stock rear end.

I do not keep my bike parked outside in sun for long periods of time, but I suspect the inks are fairly sun safe since they are intended for use on car wheels which see a lot of abuse.