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 personalization, 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 group at AC Sanctuary with remodeling the Ninja right into a bonafide RCM (Radical Building Manufacture).
The Kawasaki GPZ900Rlaunched in 1984, holds a legendary place in bike historical past, and for good motive. The mix of uncooked energy, revolutionary expertise, 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 typically struggled with agility, however Kawasaki managed to strike an ideal steadiness. The GPZ900R’s light-weight body and thoroughly designed suspension allowed it to carve corners with precision. The GPZ900R additionally gained fame outdoors bike circles because of a cameo within the 1986 film Prime Gun as Tom Cruise’s steed. A long time after its launch, the GPZ900R stays a sought-after basic, with collectors and riders alike praising its mixture of efficiency, fashion, and historical past. This makes modifying a GPZ900R considerably of a contentious subject, but when anybody goes to do the job proper, it must be AC Sanctuary.
Each undertaking involving previous bikes comes with surprises. On this case, deeper inspection of the bike’s engine revealed an issue that couldn’t be ignored. Somewhat than push ahead with the unique plan, the group set about overhauling the engine. This modified the undertaking from a normal RCM construct to an RCM Sort-R, which is a conversion bundle 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 have 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 have been additionally used for sturdiness. A quartet of TMR-MJN38 carbs fed by a Pingel gasoline cock make sure the inline-four will get all of the go juice it wants, whereas a Nitro Racing extensive radiator and high-mount oil cooler maintain issues cool. After all, no customized construct is full with no critical 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.
Normally, a Sort-R conversion entails updates to the GPZ900R electrical system, however right here, the unique elements have been in strong form. So slightly than an entire alternative, work was restricted to areas that wanted consideration. It was a versatile method that noticed the engine overhaul taking precedence.
To additional improve the Ninja’s already glorious dealing with, Nakamura-san and his group 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 extensive 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, supply 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 number of Nitro Racing elements 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 purple scheme, including period-correct decals to finish the bike’s racy look. With its slick paint scheme, fastidiously curated mix of high-performance elements and high quality equipment, this RCM Sort-R GPZ900R is a lower above the remaining. AC-Sanctuary has as soon as once more created one thing really particular that goes nicely past a flowery facade. It’s no surprise their thought-about one of many world’s greatest resto-mod retailers.
