Meet the thousandth build by Germany’s favourite motorcycle customiser. You’re looking at the highly desirable Motorcycle #1,000 by WalzWerk, a minimalist name for a minimalist custom build. That doesn’t make it less fast or less of a dedicated demon of a motorcycle. The WalzWerk way is always the radical way.
Look of the #1,000 doesn’t need to shout. Take the tank: finished in subtle Porsche Grand Prix White (other colourways are available but we wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of founder Marcus Walz) and lifted from a 1970s Honda CB. Simple black pinstripes pick out the shape, while a WalzWerk badge points out what you’re riding.
Flat twin engine of donor 1990 BMW R100RS has been taken apart and honed to perfection in the WalzWerk workshops. Heads, ports and valves were updated, electronic ignition and racing camshaft fitted, pushing output to 85 bhp, helped by Italian Dell’Orto carburetors. Engine casing has been bead blasted, gloss black valve covers nicely key in with black finish elsewhere. A stainless-steel custom exhaust system fits the minimalist ethos, and, we suspect, sounds pretty good too.
If all of this sounds assured, it should be since Walz and his team of expert engineers have crafted 999 custom bikes so far, starting with Harley Davidsons and moving on to flat twin BMWs, transformed into cafe racers, bobbers, scramblers or roadsters. Cafe racer style of #1,000 includes hand-finished saddle on WalzWerk’s bespoke subframe. Standard frame of staid R100RS has been cut back - rather like an unruly hedge - and only essentials remain, cradling the flat twin engine. All key joints have been rewelded.
Motorcycle #1,000 by WalzWerk: The details
Rear ride is provided by YSS Suspension Sidewinder while front shock absorbers boast new springs and other internal parts. Eighteen-inch spoked wheels are fitted with hefty front brake discs and rear drum brake ensuring you’ll stop as fast as this newly lightweight machine accelerates. Neat faring, finished in matte black, is taken from a Harley Davidson. Control panel is - naturally - minimal featuring Motogadget speedometer, Daytona grips and KustomTech levers.
WalzWerk don’t list a top speed or acceleration figures for their custom builds, but given how much weight has been taken off the donor BMW bike, and those expert modifications to the power unit, you can certainly expect a substantial boost on the 120 mph top speed of the original. Or just cruise and soak up the admiration.
Obviously, an example of #1,000 is essential for your two-wheeled garage. Ideal for that Sunday morning breakfast run, possibly to somewhere in Germany for bratwurst. WalzWerk emphasise as we’ve said that this is a strictly limited edition, with just 32 being made, and even then subject to the company’s two year waiting list. Asking price of £35,000 could buy you an electric Renault Scenic. Yes, we’ve made our choice too. First to Berlin buys the bratwurst.
Next up: A closer look at WalzWerk's 35th-anniversary bike.
