This Kawasaki GPZ900R Ninja had been a devoted companion to its proprietor for years. Throughout that point, the bike had made many visits to the AC-Sanctuary workshop for personalisation, repairs, and servicing. However the proprietor was at all times left wanting for extra. So, when the planets lastly aligned, he tasked Hiroyuki Nakamura and his staff at AC Sanctuary with remodeling the Ninja right into a bonafide RCM (Radical Development Manufacture).
The Kawasaki GPZ900R, launched in 1984, holds a legendary place in motorbike historical past, and for good cause. The mix of uncooked energy, modern know-how, and smooth design made it stand out amongst its opponents. It was the world’s first manufacturing bike to function a liquid-cooled, 16-valve inline-four engine; a game-changer for efficiency bikes. Producing 115 horsepower and able to speeds over 150 mph, the GPZ900R set a brand new efficiency benchmark.
Earlier than the discharge of the GPZ900R Ninja, large-displacement bikes usually struggled with agility, however Kawasaki managed to strike an ideal stability. The GPZ900R’s light-weight body and thoroughly designed suspension allowed it to carve corners with precision. The GPZ900R additionally gained fame exterior motorbike circles due to a cameo within the 1986 film High Gun as Tom Cruise’s steed. A long time after its launch, the GPZ900R stays a sought-after traditional, with collectors and riders alike praising its mixture of efficiency, fashion, and historical past. This makes modifying a GPZ900R considerably of a contentious matter, but when anybody goes to do the job proper, it must be AC Sanctuary.
Each mission involving previous bikes comes with surprises. On this case, deeper inspection of the bike’s engine revealed an issue that couldn’t be ignored. Slightly than push ahead with the unique plan, the staff set about overhauling the engine. This modified the mission from a normal RCM construct to an RCM Sort-R, which is a conversion package deal AC Sanctuary has developed particularly for the GPZ900R.
After listening to the information concerning the engine, the proprietor had just a few requests of his personal. Wiseco pistons and Yoshimura cams had been on the high of the record. The fitment of the brand new pistons bumped the entire displacement to 972cc, and the crank, camshaft, and cylinder all underwent exact modifications for peak efficiency. Inside friction discount floor therapies like WPC and DLC had been additionally used for sturdiness. A quartet of TMR-MJN38 carbs fed by a Pingel gas cock make sure the inline-four will get all of the go juice it wants, whereas a Nitro Racing broad radiator and high-mount oil cooler maintain issues cool. In fact, no customized construct is full and not using a severe exhaust. Right here’s it has come within the type of a Nitro Racing hand-bent titanium system, capped off with an identical Grenade V-3 silencer.
Most often, a Sort-R conversion entails updates to the GPZ900R electrical system, however right here, the unique parts had been in strong form. So slightly than a whole alternative, work was restricted to areas that wanted consideration. It was a versatile strategy that noticed the engine overhaul taking precedence.
To additional improve the Ninja’s already wonderful dealing with, Nakamura-san and his staff have developed a tried and examined suspension setup for the GPZ900R. On the pointy finish of issues, you’ll discover a Sculpture steering stem package with a set of Öhlins 43mm forks sitting in it. Within the rear, there’s a Sculpture broad swingarm to permit the fitment of a sportier 180-wide rear wheel. The rear suspension was additionally upgraded utilizing an Öhlins shock to make sure the bike can deal with regardless of the highway throws at it.
When it got here to the wheels and brakes, efficiency was as soon as once more paramount. OZ Racing Gass ZRX wheels have been paired with Brembo 4POT calipers up entrance and a 2POT within the rear. Pirelli Diablo tires entrance and rear, sized 120/70-17 and 180/55-17, provide ample grip in all circumstances.
To finish the RCM transformation AC Sanctuary has carried out a laundry record of styling and accent tweaks. Topping the record is a choice of Nitro Racing parts together with a entrance fender package, rear set footpegs, a tinted windscreen, and a beefy stomach pan. A Daytona RCM idea handlebar is perched above the tricked-out sprint that homes a plethora of gauges from Defi and a digital gear indicator. There are additionally new fasteners, hoses, and brackets all through to switch the drained manufacturing facility equivalents.
It goes with out saying that the paintwork on this Ninja, from the engine to the bodywork, wheels, and chassis is all new. AC Sanctuary go-to painter Okushin laid the slick black and pink scheme, including period-correct decals to finish the bike’s racy look. With its slick paint scheme, rigorously curated mix of high-performance components and high quality equipment, this RCM Sort-R GPZ900R is a lower above the remainder. AC-Sanctuary has as soon as once more created one thing really particular that goes properly past a elaborate facade. It’s no marvel their thought of one of many world’s finest resto-mod retailers.
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