A New Chapter in Customization: A16R Custom by SANCTUARY

• Share:

• 
• 
• 

SANCTUARY's A16R

The “A16” model is built on an original frame developed in-house by RCM (Radical Construction Manufacture) USA INC and is equipped with an air-cooled 2-valve engine from the '70s Kawasaki KZ1000. AC Sanctuary imported 30 of these bikes into Japan to customize for sale, and the bike featured here is number 005 of these limited edition customs. These RCM USA A16s have a base custom menu called the “Start Edition” which are the specs introduced to possible buyers, and from there each part can be customized to the owners original requests. The exterior can also be individually customized, giving the owner freedom to create the bike as they please. A Z1 round tank version or a square tank version reminiscent of the Z1-R/Mk.II can be made, and of course an original version with a supersport feel, like this custom, is also possible.

"The fuel tank is a one-off with a modern shape and a fuel pump built in for the A16 FI engine. The tail cowl is for a Ducati Panigale with a machined seat rail and one-off bracket. The headlight bracket is not a standard fork mount, but rather an extension of the meter mount that we created, and the throttle body for the FI engine was machined from a PAMS part instead of using the standard A16 throttle body. We made a lot of parts specifically for this custom," says Sanctuary's factory head, Mr. Suzuki. "The engine is an air-cooled 2-valve, but it has a fully rebuilt crankshaft and balance tuning has been done while adding a slipper clutch, which is common on our complete RCMs these days. We wanted to make the engine easy to handle while also making it powerful," he continues.

"The owner also rides an air-cooled Z and has been riding an RCM-Z made by us for more than 10 years. He came to the shop, tried out the A16 that was on display, and immediately decided it was the one for him! He wanted to keep riding an air-cooled 2-valve, but was looking for something more manageable and easy to ride. It seems that our philosophy of the A16 frame with 17-inch geometry being the missing piece of Z customization struck a chord with him, and he has been loving this bike since,” says Mr. Nakamura, the shop's representative.

Handle

The unique looking headlight is LED, with a mount set to fill the space between the meters and the light, extending down from both sides and suspending the light nacelles. The turn signals are also LEDs. From this vantage point, the original A16 framework is clearly visible under the tank.

The gauges are from a modern model to match the FI engine, and the handlebar is by HURRICANE. The left and right master cylinders are Brembo Racing, and the stem is made specifically for the A16.

Bodyworks

The tank is a one-off made of aluminum based on the owner's idea, and incorporates a fuel pump for the FI engine. The side covers are made of carbon, and the entire paint job was done by YF Design.

The seat rail was machined and modified for the Panigale cowl, and a one-off seat has been installed. There are many other parts that were individually made for this custom, such as the rear fender and license plate bracket.

Engine

A KZ1000 engine is equipped with balanced PISTAL RACING φ72mm forged pistons to bring it up to 1075cc specs, and PAMS EST liners on the cylinders. The cylinder head was replaced with a Mk.II square type, and the seat rings have also been replaced. The connecting rods are weighted at the upper and lower ends, and the crankshaft is completely rebuilt. The oil pump is an SMB trochoid type. The clutch housing is a Z1000P clutch housing that has been balanced and fitted with a slipper clutch.

The intake/fuel delivery system is FI (control system is a LINK G4X ATOM), which is standard for the A16, and a PAMS billet φ42mm throttle body is equipped specifically for this bike.

Chassis

The front forks are an Ohlins RWU from the Sanctuary ExM Package, and the front brakes are Brembo GP4-RX calipers + SUNSTAR Works Expand 320mm discs. The front and rear wheels are OZ Racing magnesium forged CATTIVA in 3.50-17/5.50-17 sizes.

The black anodized swingarm is by SCULPTURE, made exclusively for the A16. The rear brakes consist of a Brembo CNC 2-piston caliper and SUNSTAR Works Expand 250mm disc. The exhaust system is a NITRO RACING Weldcraft Titanium + Valiant silencer.

The rear shocks are Ohlins Grand Twin, the drive chain is a 530 size DID, and the tires are Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V3.

The step is also an A16-specific item. The frame is an A16 1R9S, which Mr. Nakamura considers “the missing piece of the air-cooled Z.” It has a modern configuration with a larger head bearing capacity to accommodate the large input from the 17-inch tires while matching the KZ engine, and is diamond coated.

Gallery

Specifications

Part	Details
Engine	PISTAL RACING φ72mm Forged Piston PAMS EST Cylinder Sleeve SANCTUARY High Pressure Oil Pump Kit SANCTUARY Rigid Idler All One Package
Exhaust	NITRO RACING 4-in-1 Weld Craft Titanium 3D Exhaust System NITRO RACING Valiant Titanium Silencer Matte Black
Brake	brembo Racing Radial Brake Master Cylinder brembo CNC Radial Mount Brake Caliper Kit P4 32/32 108mm GP4 RX Left/Right Set SANCTUARY Radial Mount Multi Caliper Support SUNSTAR WORKS EXPAND Front Disc Rotor brembo GP2-SS CNC 2P Rear Caliper SUNSTAR WORKS EXPAND Rear Disc Rotor
Wheels	OZ Racing OZ-6S CATTIVA Forged Magnesium Wheels
Suspension	OHLINS RWU Front Forks OHLINS Rear Suspension
Drive System	NITRO RACING Clutch Release Plate Kit D.I.D 530ZVMX Drive Chain
Handle / Steering	HURRICANE European Type-1 Φ7/8-Inch Handlebar, Steel brembo Racing Radial Clutch Master Cylinder
Oil Cooler	NITRO RACING EARL'S Oil Cooler Kit
Bodyworks	NITRO RACING OHLINS Hanging Fender Kit for Φ43 Upright Forks
Electrical	LINK G4X ATOM Control Unit

About SANCTUARY

SANCTUARY is a custom builder that is good at Vintage motorcycles like Z1,Ninja and KATANA. They sell special parts which were born from trial and error that mechanics had repeated mounting and testing

SANCTUARY brand page

Original Source of this Article

Heritage & Legends