The Red Ninja: KAWASAKI GPZ900R Custom by Wheelie

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Wheelie's GPZ900R

This Kawasaki GPZ900R is a "Red Ninja" by Wheelie, a company known for producing swingarms and billet parts. Around 1995, more than 25 years ago, the president of the company, Mr. Tominaga, started tuning this Ninja after a customer wanted to race it at the Autopolis International Racing Course. The Ninja was to be equipped with high-grip tires, so 17-inch wheels, front and rear, were a requirement. To meet this requirement, a reinforced under-loop, a pentagonal reinforced swingarm (both made of 7N01 material), rear suspension links for 17-inch wheels, and a machined triple tree were manufactured. This was the same period when more and more 4-cylinder bikes began to race at Autopolis.

"The 17-inch compatible links we made at that time have become our standard product," Tominaga says. After that, they tuned the Ninja for street use and completed most of it by 2005. The frame reinforcement of this red Ninja was done mainly around the steering head, and the front engine hanger was changed from a two-piece type to a pipe type. The swingarm pivot was also lowered, and a Wheelie Height Control B-type chain adjuster was used to lower the rear axle position and correct the ride height to prevent the rear end from dropping. When tested on the road, the bike was much more stable than stock, and the rear movement was improved. However, it was so stable that "it was like a high speed tourer, which makes sense, since the caster angle is stock (29 degrees)," said Tominaga. The know-how developed at this time allowed the company's parts to reflect things like link ratios and ride height, which were necessary when the Ninja was converted to 17-inch.

Handle

CNC machined stem. The upper bracket is a wing type with both ends slightly lowered, and internally tuned φ43mm front forks originally for the ZRX are used.

Engine

The oil fitting on the cylinder head, to prevent oil leakage due to heat distortion, is made by Wheelie. You can also see the pipe type front engine mount.

Chassis

7N01 handmade reinforced swingarm. The chain adjuster is the Height Control B-type sold by Wheelie. It is used to compensate for the lack of ride height caused by lowering the axle position when changing the rear to 17-inch. The wheels are Marchesini forged magnesium.

Wheelie's Ninja 17-inch compatible rear suspension link and link rods, still available on the market. The rods also have a ride height adjustment mechanism.

Since the pivot position is lowered, a special step/step plate was also provided. They are anodized with a magnesium-like color. A Wheelie hydraulic clutch cylinder and Brembo radial master cylinder are also used to lighten the clutch operation.

Gallery

Specifications

Part	Details
Engine	WHEELIE Top End Oil Fitting for Ninja (Dual Inlet) WHEELIE Kawasaki Water-cooled Modles Racing Pulsar Cover Type II
Carb / Intake	YOSHIMURA TMR-MJN Carburetor
Exhaust	NOJIMA FASARM R Titanium V Full Exhaust System
Frame	WHEELIE Φ43mm Wing Type Triple Tree for Ninja 17inch WHEELIE Big Swingarm Height Control B Type WHEELIE Link Rod with Ride Height Adjustment Mechanism for Ninja WHEELIE 17-inch Compatible Link for Ninja
Brake	brembo Racing Radial Brake Master Cylinder (19 x 18) brembo Brake Caliper P4 34 / 34 65mm SUNSTAR Custom Type Front Disc Rotor brembo Rear Brake Caliper Old Crab P2 32 84mm Gold SUNSTAR Premium Racing Rear Disc Rotor
Wheels	MARCHESINI M5R 3.50-17 MARCHESINI M5R 5.50-17
Suspension	FG Rear Shock
Steps	WHEELIE Step Kit
Drive System	brembo 17RCS Radial Clutch Master Cylinder WHEELIE GPZ900R Exclusive Cable Type Speed Meter Compatible Hydraulic Clutch Cylinder
Handle / Steering	COERCE Hyper Naked Bar

Original Source of this Article

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