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Turning bike customization right into a sustainable enterprise is difficult sufficient, however Marcus Walz has taken it to a different degree. His firm, WalzWerk, has been in enterprise for 32 years—and in that point, they’ve constructed at least 1,000 {custom} bikes. You learn proper: one thousand.
Marcus is bound of that quantity, as a result of WalzWerk is registered as a motorbike producer in Germany—and which means they must report each single bike they construct. “We knew precisely once we would construct our 1,000th bike,” Marcus tells us. “And we’re speaking about absolutely, built-from-the-ground-up bikes—not simply barely modified or personalized bikes.”
WalzWerk’s first twenty years was largely spent constructing a handful of {custom} Harleys a yr. However they gained traction quick once they began customizing outdated BMW boxers. Proper now they common round 100 builds a yr—and 80 of these are airheads.
Most orders are for WalzWerk’s signature ‘Schizzo’ BMW café racer builds, so Marcus picked that because the inspiration for the store’s 1,000th mission. His start line was a 1990-model BMW R100RS, which he found was manufactured inside a month of when WalzWerk was established.
The mission kicked off with a full tear down of the donor bike. The body was sand-blasted earlier than the WalzWerk staff de-tabbed it, and re-welded all the important thing structural welds to make it stiffer and stronger.
Subsequent, they tore into the motor and transmission with a full rebuild of each. The stored the engine capability at 1,000 cc, however modified the crank, heads, ports and valves extensively. Together with a racing cam, adjustable digital ignition and a pair of Dell’Orto carbs, the engine now kicks out round 85 hp.
The skin of the motor appears beautiful. WalzWerk bead-blasted and clear-coated it, then completed the valve covers in black with contrasting stripes. A lot of the wiring now sits inside a neat cowl, sitting the place the airbox often would.
You’ll discover the battery decrease down, tucked in a small field beneath the transmission. A {custom} two-into-one chrome steel exhaust system flanks it.
Shifting to the suspension, WalzWerk stored the BMW’s typical entrance forks—however threw in a couple of neat upgrades. They lowered them by about 5”, and boosted them with new internals and progressive springs. The decrease legs have been shaved down and powder coated black, with a set of {custom} tubes added up prime for a burlier look.
It’s a a lot completely different story out again although. The rear suspension’s been swapped out for a ‘Sidewinder’ equipment—a particular BMW R-series-specific setup, developed by the Dutch distributor of YSS Suspension, Suspension Retailer. If it appears acquainted, it’s as a result of it’s much like the kits that always present up on BMW Okay-series builds.
All of the components on it are CNC-machined from excessive grade aluminum, and assembled round a custom-built YSS shock. “I acquired the very first equipment for this particular bike,” says Marcus. “As much as immediately, that is nonetheless the primary and solely bike worldwide with this equipment put in.”
The bike rolls on WalzWerk’s proprietary 18” tubeless spoked wheels, constructed with black hubs, brushed rims and chrome steel spokes. The Firestone tires have been an aesthetic alternative, however don’t fret—there’s a spare set of wheels fitted with Continental RoadAttack rubber. So should you plan to carve canyons with this BMW, you’re all set.
The dual entrance brake calipers and discs are additionally from WalzWerk’s inventory, and are hooked as much as Wunderkind brake strains. The rear wheel nonetheless makes use of a drum brake, however the crew drilled out the hub’s outer rim to help in cooling. A set of WalzWerk’s personal rear-set foot controls are in play too.
Up entrance are new CNC-machined yokes, engraved with the identical phrases that Marcus has tattooed on his fingers: “SELF MADE.” The cockpit additionally options clip-ons, KustomTech levers, built-in push buttons and Daytona grips. A Motogadget speedo is tucked in behind a modified Harley-Davidson fairing, which homes an LED headlight and a pair of tiny flip alerts.
A closely massaged Nineteen Seventies Honda CB gas tank takes heart stage. WalzWerk shortened it, welded in a brand new tunnel and lowered its profile barely.
It’s completed in a shocking Porsche shade from the 60s that matches certainly one of WalzWerk’s personal {custom} Porsches. (Sure, they construct {custom} Porsches too.) CNC-machined tank badges adorn the edges, with a particular commemorative motif on prime.
Ending issues off are a bolt-on WalzWerk subframe and certainly one of their signature ‘GT’ seats; a design that’s impressed by outdated Ford GT40 race seats. The rear of the body options embedded LED taillights that double up as flip alerts. Blink, and also you’ll miss ’em.
From its stance to its tasteful finishes, WalzWerk #1000 is flawless, and a testomony to the store’s pedigree. It’s svelte too, with a 168 kilo [370 lbs] curb weight.
For those who’d like your individual piece of {custom} motorcycling historical past, Marcus and his staff plan to construct a restricted run of 32 of those. events, please kind an orderly queue.
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