Steve Jobs once said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” And few embody that principle better than master builder Marcus Walz. For more than three decades, he has remained at the forefront of the custom motorcycle world through relentless creativity and a drive to push boundaries. The results speak for themselves—one stunning build after another. His latest creation is no exception. Inspired by the Harley-Davidson board track racers of the 1920s, this 1987 BMW R80 Monolever is more than just a head-turner. Dubbed the WalzWerk SCHIZZO® Board Tracker, it hides a serious surprise: genuine Porsche power under the tank.
“I always admired the Harley Board Tracker from the 1920s, one of the most puristic machines ever built. So I wonder how an air cooled BMW board tracker would look like, if this sport would still exist in the 70s and 80s. So I came up with this black and simple machine,” Marcus tells us. But while the lines are sweet and simple, the engineering poured into this motorcycle are anything but, as Walz once again pushes the limits of what can be done with a BMW R series motorcycle. That’s not an easy task when you’ve built more than 700 airheads, but like those racers from a century ago, the pursuit of power can take you in interesting directions. And Marcus has always had a love for his home heroes, in the form of BMW and Porsche.
And this air cooled engine combines some of the very best of both! It all starts with the factory R80 cases, which have been drilled to reduce weight, while also providing improved cooling for the upgraded sports clutch, needed to handle the extra power. The crank bearings are upgraded and the area around them reinforced, before the lightened and balanced crank is dropped in, swinging a set of high-end Carillo rods. Then it’s time for the big ticket items, genuine Porsche 911 3.0 RSR pistons, with the cylinders having to be machined to accept the supercar slugs. The heads too have undergone a huge amount of work, machined to make the most of the RSR domed tops, then tricked out with Porsche titanium valves and a twin spark conversion.
That’s about as serious a BMW air cooled bottom end as you’re ever going to find, but the supporting accessories are just as impressive. Having performed the machining for the twin spark conversion, the ignition is controlled by a fully adjustable electronic system, to ensure timing is managed to perfection. On the fuel side of things, the old Bings are gone, with Marcus preferring 38mm Dell’Otro carbs, on those stunning WalzWerk solid intakes. “And last but not least, this is one of the first bikes using the world’s first fully adjustable flap controlled exhaust systems for air cooled BMWs. We developed this exhaust together with industry leader Jeckill & Hyde from the Netherlands (best known for their exhaust kits for Harleys).”
Such an engine deserves to be housed in a very special package, and WalzWerk knows how to make a BMW beautiful. The chassis is taken back to bare metal and completely refreshed, before being coated in a matte black finish. But for the tank Marcus went in a different direction. “The first time ever, and after over 700+ built air cooled BMW customs, we used a R45/R65 fuel tank instead of the bigger and more classic looking R80/R100 fuel tank. We modified the mounts so it sits lower on the frame and we added one of our quick-lock racing fuel caps.” The finishing touch to the tank is that genuine Porsche badge, while the looks are topped off with the modified KTM mask that Marcus first deployed on a Harley custom back in 2006.
The paint work, from the body to the factory mag wheels, is absolutely stunning, the luster has a true supercar quality. And it was important to Marcus to keep the factory wheels, wrapped up in classic Shinko whitewall rubber for that throw back board track vibe. Now, these tyres always cause controversy, but having raced Superbikes and Boxer Cup in Europe for thirty years, Walz has some words to say! “I think these tyres perform great on the street and for the purpose these bikes are built for. They are no race bikes and I don‘t want to brake speed records. All those blokes who first comment that these tyres aren‘t rideable, are always those MoFos who have never ridden a bike equipped with a set of these tyres. They just repeat things from hearsay, from other guys that don’t have a clue!”
And his racing experience is used to ensure the suspension and braking is as trick as the engine that powers the package. The rear shock is as good as it gets, the remote reservoir equipped item is fully adjustable for high and low speed compression, and also features height adjustability. At the front end, WalzWerk fully machined triple trees clamp conventional forks, 120mm lower than the stock height, they’re rebuilt with new dampers and progressive rate springs. The braking is no joke either, and proving how much the company has invested in the BMW R platform, the calipers are WalzWerks own CNC machined four-piston items, that on this bike grab a dual set of floating discs, with a Brembo master cylinder providing the power.
But even that master features a machined WalzWerk cap, and sits up on the custom clip-on bars with high end adjustable levers and Daytona grips. Then there is the wiring, and while BMW sets the standard for factory electronics, this bike goes to another level altogether. Lift the tank and you are presented with one of the cleanest looms you’re ever likely to lay your eyes on.
From the control unit to the coils and everything in between, each item is labelled and the wiring neatly run, so that trouble shooting is an absolute breeze. Motogadget supply a lot of their high-end hardware, including their trick switches for an uber neat finish. To complete the build, a smaller bobber style leather seat is selected to capture those board track days of old. And with 85hp and weighing just 165kg ready to roll, this WalzWerk wonder can put up a hell of a fight, proper Porsche power and all.
[ WalzWerk ]