Timeless Beauty: KAWASAKI Z1000R Custom by m-tech

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m-tech's Z1000R

This Lawson Replica Z1000R1, with its striking posture, leaves a lasting impression. It is so beautiful that it looks as if it were a recently manufactured machine. However, when we asked Mr. Matsumoto of m-tech, who has been working on it, he told us that he has never done a full custom since he originally bought it some 30 years ago. He said that the GALE SPEED clutch holder and Ohlins rear shock were newly added, but the other parts were touched up very early on and are still in place. "I got it when I was 18 and used it to ride at the Suzuka Circuit or in races, but when I opened my store (m-tech), a friend of mine bought it from me. Since then, it has generally been within my reach. I did a refresh first and have kept it in good condition. The exterior is also the same as it was in the beginning." So far, the engine has been overhauled twice, the main harness has been replaced twice, and major parts have been refurbished along the way.

However, looking back at Mr. Matsumoto's words again, many of the parts are from when the bike was first acquired. How could it be maintained in this condition? Even if you polish the bike for the photo shoot, it would not look like this. "We call it 'proactive repair,' and assuming that a brand new part is a 10, we recommend replacing or overhauling consumable parts when they decrease to about a 5. Even though replacing parts may not restore them to a perfect 10 but rather around 9.5, considering adjustments and tuning, maintaining them at around a 9 seems desirable. However, for racers, replacement is recommended at an 8, and for street use, it's advisable to replace parts at least by 5, and preferably a bit earlier. Even if they aren't worn down that much, but you feel something is out of place, it is a good idea to replace that part. Stem bearings, pivot bearings, wheel bearings, etc. wear out as you ride, so it's good to manage them by the distance ridden. In addition, if you have a wide range of riding situations, for example a case where you do touring, city riding, and sport riding with one bike, the wear rate will be higher than if you do only one of them. It is also important to have someone who will take care of the bike all the time from the same point of view as yourself," says Matsumoto, who shares these key points based on his many years of racing experience and machine construction. It is quite true that adjustments will be most effective when the bike is new or near new, and if you want to maintain the performance level of a new bike, it makes perfect sense. Mr. Matsumoto is also developing and selling reverse engineering parts (discontinued parts) for Suzuki's oil-cooled models, which are also based on this idea. He has started with wiring, which deteriorates easily and is difficult to notice, because he is deeply aware of the importance of refurbishing this area. This is good advice from a specialist in motorcycle construction. We hope you will take a look at this advice and apply it to your own bike as well.

Handle

The handlebars are from a KZ1000S1 and the front brake master cylinder is a Brembo Racing Radial. A new clutch holder by GALE SPEED is used, because the current owner, who has multiple bikes, used it on another machine and liked it. This can also be an effective update.

Electrical

The main harness has been replaced twice, the battery is an ELIIY Power lithium-ion battery in a custom-made case that was painstakingly fabricated, and a highly reliable PAMS regulator is also used. The new, lighter battery makes a noticeable difference the moment you lift the bike.

Bodyworks

Based on an '82 Z1000R1, the exterior is original with no repaint. Eddie Lawson's signature is under the #1 on the Champion sticker on the tank (on the Z1000R2 it is the K mark and Kawasaki logo).

Engine

The engine is an 1105cc spec with Cosworth φ73mm forged pistons and a Yoshimura camshaft, and the transmission was replaced with a new GPZ1100 undercut spec. The internal parts also underwent surface treatment, and the head was replaced with a new one for the Z1000P (so-called Z1000 Police) when it was available. The frame was reinforced in one spot at the left rear of the engine.

The carburetor is a TMR φ38mm equipped in combination with a K&N filter.

Chassis

The KZ1000S1 type step is a Yellow Corn bRP that was equipped at the time of the bike's production (around 1990).

The front and rear wheels are Dymag 3-spoke mags, painted 30 years ago with Diamond Clear, which had just come out at the time. The coating is hard and thus still maintains its beauty. The front forks were replaced with JB-KYB φ38mm because the stock (φ38mm) outer tube was worn out, and considering the future mating with the slide metal, it was decided to replace it with a new one while they were still available.

The front and rear brakes are AP/CP2696 calipers and S1 type discs made by PMC. The exhaust system is equipped with a KERKER 4-1 megaphone, of course.

The aluminum truss type swingarm (the Z1000R stock swingarm is a steel round pipe painted black) is the S1 type made by J-Classic at the time of the bike's heyday.

Gallery

Specifications

Part	Details
Engine	JB POWER (BITO R&D) Piston Kit YOSHIMURA ST-2 Camshaft NGK Power Cable (Plug Code)
Carb / Intake	MIKUNI TMR Φ38mm Carburetor K&N Custom Air Filter Oval Tapered Type
Frame	J-Classic S1 Type Swingarm
Brake	brembo 19RCS Radial Brake Master Cylinder PMC Φ320 Disk Rotor & CP 2696 Brake Kit PMC Φ250 Disc Rotor & CP2696 Rear Brake Kit
Wheels	DYMAG CH3 (H section) Cast Magnesium Wheel 3.00-18 DYMAG CH3 (H section) Cast Magnesium Wheel 4.50-18
Suspension	JB POWER (BITO R&D) KYB Φ38 Special Front Fork
Steps	YELLOW CORN bRP Step Kit
Handle / Steering	GALE SPEED Wire Clutch Holder Kit
Oil Cooler	SETRAB 13-stage Oil Cooler
Electrical	HY ELIIY Power Series Lithium Ion Battery PAMS MOSFET Type Regulator

About M-TECH

M-TECH manufactures mainly custom parts for Suzuki models, and its main lineup includes machined aluminum parts and chromoly axle shafts. They develop parts by utilizing the technology fed back from racing.

M-TECH brand page

Original Source of this Article

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