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Base and Beyond: KAWASAKI GPZ900R Custom by SANCTUARY
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SANCTUARY's GPZ900R
Getting your hands on a GPZ900R Ninja and customizing it sounds like a lot of fun, but in the year 2024 there are a few obstacles. Since production ended in 2003, the first thing that comes to mind is finding a used bike that is in good condition. However, considering the maintenance and customization that you want to do after getting the bike, it also seems essential to find a shop that has a proven track record with Ninjas. AC Sanctuary has solved both of these concerns by both providing bikes and customizing them. And the bikes they provide are complete custom RCMs (the name given to complete customs made by the shop). They began creating RCMs around the year 2000, when the Ninja was still being produced. At the time, customizations included the use of the latest 17-inch front and rear tires and the modifications to the chassis that become necessary with the size change. The main focus was on upgrading the chassis, such as increasing rigidity by integrating the down tube with the step. Many of the engines were still in good condition, even on used bikes, and could be used without modification.
In recent years, with a decrease in the number of base bikes available in good condition, overhaul of the engines has become necessary. In conjunction, they began incorporating stock parts for the A16 model (Final Edition), as well as installing electrical components from successor models and rewiring them to fit the Ninja. The frame also requires a number of restorations, such as addressing corrosion at the base of the front cowl mounting bracket, and these were added to the RCM production menu. The RCM Ninja you see here is built with the above mentioned customizations.
"The wheels are forged, and we've carefully selected front and rear suspension, stem, swingarm, carburetor, and brake system parts. The exterior uses stock parts or parts that have been repainted in matching colors, so I think this 17-inch Ninja can be enjoyed as is," said Mr. Nakamura of Sanctuary, "But our customers always want to upgrade or customize the master cylinders, brake calipers, or other parts as well. It would be like using the RCM as a base and adding on from there. This bike is a typical example of this."
Not only is everything refurbished on the used bike to make it like new, but modern updates are added on top of that to create a base that has what is necessary in this day and age. That's why it's even more enjoyable to customizing starting with an RCM, and this custom is a perfect example.
Handle
The windshield is by Nitro Racing. The steering stem is a SCULPTURE TYPE-1, with an offset of 37mm from the stock 40mm to provide the necessary amount of trail for the 17-inch front and rear wheels. The gauges are mostly stock with an added YOSHIMURA Progress Meter, and a Daytona RCM Concept bar-type handlebar was selected.
The front brake and clutch master cylinders are equipped with radial pump, ratio adjustable Brembo RCS.
Bodyworks
The exterior is fully painted in A8 colors, red and black. The seat is a Daytona RCM Concept COZY Seat.
Engine
The engine has undergone a full overhaul starting with a water pressure test, and the specs have been upgraded to 930cc with 73mm diameter Wossner forged pistons. Crank bend correction, dynamic balancing and journal wrapping were entrusted to DiNx, a company specializing in internal combustion engine modifications. DiNx also installed the RCM-specific sintered alloy oversize valve guides and cut the valve seats. The exterior is finished with GUN-KOTE and the cooling system was also strengthened with a Nitro Racing Big Radiator. The frame was also checked and modified, and a Nitro Racing Combination Kit III was added.
The carburetor is a TMR-MJN φ38mm with YOSHIMURA Dual Stack Funnels. The funnels are black and red to match the body color.
Chassis
The bottom of the swingarm pivot on the frame was cut, extended outward, and re-welded to secure a chain line that accommodates the wider rear tire. The Rearsets Kit and Clutch Release Plate are by Nitro Racing.
The front forks are equipped with Ohlins RWUs as part of the Noblest ExM package. This package also includes the front fender and caliper supports. The front brakes are Brembo Axial 4-piston Calipers and SUNSTAR Premium Racing φ320 "RCM" Concept Discs with holes.
The rear suspension is made up of an Ohlins 17-inch compatible KA203 and a SCULPTURE RCM-specific Wide Swingarm. The drive chain is EK Chain's EL530RCM BK;GP (black and gold), which boasts a narrow body with narrower plate width while still maintaining strength.
The rear brakes use a Brembo 2P Caliper + SUNSTAR Trad Disc. The front and rear wheels are OZ Racing Forged Aluminum GASS RS-A in 3.50-17/5.50-17 sizes.
Gallery
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Specifications
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
Original Source of this Article
Heritage & Legends
editor
Hakuyo
A foreigner who rides in Japan, Japanese call this "Gaijin Rider". 6th year in the Webike global team. He feels and shares the real bike life in Japan then presents you how interesting Japanese customs are.
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