SANCTUARY's Z1-R
This custom is based on a Kawasaki Z1-R and fitted with 17-inch wheels. It features a slim fuel tank and bikini cowl finished in Z1000Mk.II stock paint and stripes for a fresh appearance. The bike is registered as RCM-612 in AC Sanctuary’s RCM (Radical Construction Manufacture) series.
The original Z1-R (1977) was a cafe racer-style model based on the KZ1000, equipped with 18-inch wheels front and rear. This build has undergone modifications to suit 17-inch wheels, along with reinforcement work and adjustments to maintain proper chain alignment. It’s assembled with familiar components such as OZ Racing wheels, OHLINS suspension, and a Brembo + SUNSTAR braking setup.
The engine has been upgraded to 1,045cc and fitted with a 6-speed close-ratio transmission. The drive chain uses the KOUGA EVO system and a flat front sprocket. The pistons are forged slipper-type units produced by DiNx, AC Sanctuary’s in-house engine machining division. Lightweight and precise, these pistons remain stable even with short skirts, reducing side thrust during operation. They have also been tested over several thousand kilometers on the street across half a year, and have also gone through dozens of rigorous test runs under demanding conditions on Z Racer No. 3—an air-cooled Z machine that holds a 58.071-second lap record at Tsukuba Circuit in the Monster Evolution Class. The pistons have demonstrated durability in both settings and are expected to be used again in future engine upgrades.
Handle
The round mirrors are Magical Racing NK-1 mirrors with Type 6 heads. The left and right master cylinders are Brembo RCS units paired with ZETA RCM Concept flight levers.
The handlebars mounted on the SCULPTURE φ43 Stem Kit TYPE-1 (fork offset changed from 60mm to 35mm) are POSH Super Low Handlebars. A custom carbon and aluminum composite instrument panel houses a STACK ST700SR multi-function meter along with STACK ST3000 gauges for fuel level and oil temperature.
Bodyworks
The slim fuel tank, shaped close to the Z1-R’s stock design, is a Beater aluminum tank painted in the KZ1000 Mk. II’s stock colors. Although the stripe pattern is similar between the Z1-R and Mk. II, the side cover area clearly reflects the Mk. II’s design. This pattern is surprisingly fresh and innovative.
The seat is a one-off NITRO RACING RCM Concept seat that helps bring the look together.
Engine
The engine is big bored to 1,045cc using DiNx φ71mm forged pistons and a Yoshimura ST-1 camshaft. The crankshaft was in good condition and only required truing. Oversized valve guides and Hf valves have also been installed. All internal machining was carried out by DiNx, with precise assembly performed by Sanctuary.
The carburetor is a TMR-MJN φ38mm fitted with original anodized dual stack funnels custom-colored to match the body and hardware.
Chassis
The clutch has been converted to a hydraulic system using a NITRO RACING NEW clutch plate. The frame features original reinforcements, modifications to accommodate the offset drive chain path, inline processing, and a wide laydown treatment. The drive chain is an EK 530RCM model with a black and gold finish.
The front suspension uses OHLINS RWU forks from the NOBLEST ExM package, while the front brake setup combines Brembo GP4-RX Calipers with SUNSTAR RCM Concept φ320mm Discs.
At the rear, a SCULPTURE Wide Swingarm is paired with OHLINS Grand Twin (KA446) shocks. The forged aluminum wheels are OZ Racing’s GASS RS-A, with the stock 2.15-18 front and rear replaced by 3.50-17 at the front and 5.50-17 at the rear.
The rear brake uses a Brembo CNC 2-Piston Caliper paired with a SUNSTAR φ250mm Disc. The exhaust system is equipped with a Nitro Racing Hand-Bent Titanium Exhaust with a heat-polished finish, combined with a Nitro Racing V-1 Straight Titanium Silencer, also heat-polished.
Gallery
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Specifications
| Part | Details |
|---|---|
| Engine | DiNx φ71mm Forged Pistons YOSHIMURA Camshaft [ST-L1]. SANCTUARY KOUGA Drive Chain EVO System |
| Carb / Intake | YOSHIMURA TMR-MJNφ38mm YOSHIMURA Dual Stack Funnel System Basic Kit for TMR YOSHIMURA Original Aluminum Funnnels for TMR-MJN/TMR38 |
| Exhaust | NITRO RACING 4-1 Hand-Bent Titanium Exhaust System NITRO RACING Straight Titanium Silencer, Version 1 |
| Frame | SCULPTURE SP Stem Kit for Z1-R Φ43 Fork [Type1] SCULPTURE Wide Swingarm for R.C.M |
| Brake | brembo RCS Brake Master Cylinder Flight Levers ZETA RCM Concept Flight Levers BREMBO GP4-RX Calipers SUNSTAR Premium Racing Disc RCM Concept φ320 BREMBO CNC 2P Caliper SUNSTAR Premium Racing Disc φ250 |
| Wheels | OZ Racing GASS RS-A 3.50-17 OZ Racing GASS RS-A 5.50-17 |
| Suspension | OHLINS RWU OHLINS Grand Twin (KA446) |
| Drive System | NITRO RACING Clutch Release Plate Kit EK Chain EK530RCM BK;GP |
| Handle / Steering | POSH Super Low Handlebar BREMBO RCS Clutch Master Cylinder Magical Racing NK1 Mirrors TYPE-6 STACK ST700SR Multi-function Meter STACK ST3315 Fuel Gauge STACK ST3309 Oil Temperature Gauge |
| Seat | NITRO RACING RC Concept Seat |
| Bodyworks | NITRO RACING Racing Windshield Beater Aluminum Tank |
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