Welcome to another edition of Pipewrapped, this week we checkout the latest creations from two of the industry’s biggest players, sample Triumph’s all new neo-racer, gear up for a Gas Monkey powered Isle of Man TT, find some beautiful handmade bike parts in regional Australia and watch, listen and learn to the bikers of the Buffalo Soldiers MC.

Slaying the Socials
The wait time on a WalzWerk Motorcycle build has now reached two years, as orders continue to flood in to the Ketsch based workshop. But that hasn’t slowed Marcus down on the design front and to show off their all new “Monza” package, available to order with a Schizzo BMW build, the crew released this first stunning example. In addition to the usual Café Racer model, you get a full fairing, a stunning alloy finished frame and gold spoked wheels to suit modern tubeless tyres, if you want one, you better order quick.

From one mega workshop to another, K-Speed just continues to go from strength to strength under the leadership of founder Eak. With workshops now scattered across the globe, the company has been building a lot of small bikes and scooters of late. But don’t think they’ve gone soft, with the recent release of this big bruiser, a Honda CB1300 that they call “King of Four”. Fitted with a slick Benelli tank conversion, solo seat rear and a stunning titanium exhaust, it has the power to back up the bad boy looks.

‘To be or not to be’
Triumph can do no wrong of late and having been hounded by the British press to produce a genuine neo-racer, the Hinckley factory has finally delivered. Known as the Speed Triple 1200RR, it takes all the goodness we know and love from their modern bike range and fits it into a package that finally has the looks to back up the stonking performance.

That front fairing is one of the most beautiful modern design nods to days of old we’ve seen, with a single round headlight to match. The paintwork is flawless and by the time you add 180bhp, Ohlins electronic suspension and Brembo brakes, it’s one hell of a bike. But, as with any motorcycle there is room for change and the rumour is a number of top British custom outfits have already taken delivery, yes please!

Race Wrap
He is the Isle of Man TT lap record holder, Peter Hickman with an astonishing average speed of 135.452 mph, letting it all hang out. She is his team owner, from the Hong Kong-Macau billionaire family, Faye Ho, and just before Covid delayed the TT for two years they were set to tackle the mountain course together. Now a third member has joined the team, the one and only Richard Rawlings of Gas Monkey Garage.

Together they have put all the pieces of the puzzle together to create a special team for the two weeks on the Island and a chance to smash all the records that Hickman already owns. Rawlings has poured in a considerable sum of money, and his timing is spot on, with the races to be broadcast live around the world for the first time in the events history. A small one-off fee will get you all the live action of practice, qualifying and the races. No more waiting days for footage of the event or sitting glued to Manx Radio, trying to imagine the action.

Piping Hot Products
For a young man, fabricator and mechanic Keeley Pritchett, has a great appreciation for the trades of old and the tradition of shaping metal by hand. Now under his brand Pritchett & Sons he’s offering superb old-fashioned skills via the modern marvel of the online webstore. This ‘Flatout Tracker’ tail section really took my fancy and to be able to have such quality handmade parts delivered to your door, ready to bolt onto your latest project, is everything that’s good about custom bikes in 2022. [ More ]

Must Watch Moto
The Buffalo Soldiers are a unique motorcycle club, honouring the legacy and rich history of the 9th and 10th Cavalry of Buffalo Soldiers who served in the U.S. Army from 1866 – 1944. They’re bikers to the bone, they ride hard and have a passion for two-wheels like few others. But as BMW found out in shooting this short multi-part film for the release of the R18 Heritage, they also do a hell of a lot of amazing community work and their tales make for great viewing.