SHAKEN FIST – KAWASAKI W650 CAFE RACER BY THE GARAGE PROJECt

POSTED BY MOTO VERSO

After searching the web for cafe racers I came across a fantastic website which had some beautifully crafted motorcycles within it’s pages. I got in touch with The Garage Project about a possible post on the site and swiftly heard back from a Mr Rex Havoc, firstly that is the best name I have ever heard and couldn’t be more fitting for someone who builds such beautiful machines. The bike featured here is just one of there finished projects and is based on a Kawasaki W650, TGP gave it the Cafe Racer treatment and stripped out everything that wasn’t needed and pretty much customised everything on the bike. I love the paint that they have given this bike with a nice bright green and gloss black tank. I adore the vintage look exhaust they have fitted and the beautifully made leather seat. They have very cleverly fitted the speedo into the top of the light fitting which is another reason that this bike has been loved all over the world.

The Garage Project is a custom motorcycle garage based in Perth, Australia and was created when a couple of guys were bored with the Perth bike customising scene. TGP said “It was either “bolt on bling” on sports bikes or the oh so overdone naked chick riding a fire breathing dragon fighting off a serpent with a sword in one hand and a skull in the other airbrushed on Harleys.” For there first custom motorcycle project the started with a Kawasaki W650’s and turned into an award winning flat tracker.

Images: scottgtrenorden.com.au

Website: garageprojectmotorcycles.tumblr.com

LOSSA ENGINEERING KAWASAKI Z1000

I don't know what it is about old Kwackers but they just get the blood pumping more than any other of the Big Four manufacturers. Maybe it’s some warped childhood Sesame Street connection; a two-wheeled Kermit The Frog on angry-crack, but whenever I see one, I want one.

It was the same story for Eric Bostrom (pretty sure that’s the AMA rider, brother of Ben Bostrom) who wanted to turn his 2012 model Z1000 into something which looked like the KR750 machine of Gary Nixon. EventuallyLossa Engineering got in on the act with some new bodywork and wheels machined from BILLET which look freaking fantabulous- better than the original Campagnolo style rims.

The new-old bodywork on this new Z1000 has me intrigued. The tricky bit is that the KR750 style reference had a tank which only held fuel. The new Z1000 has a tank which holds fuel, and an airbox. Where did the airbox go? This is where ‘making new bodywork’ becomes much more difficult than glassing up some fibre around a mould.

 Huge tacho...might get Mexican for lunch today I think...

Wheels machined from scratch- mimicking original Campagnolo style items.

 Its an exhaust can bonanza out there!

Kicked up ductail takes us straight back to the '70s.

Legendary Kawasaki tuner Erv Kanemoto with Gary Nixons KR750. He later took Freddie Spencer to his 1985 250/500 double world championships for Honda among other championships. (Thanks to sfree1 for the info!)

Photos: Lossa Engineering

 via wideopenmoto

Works Sports Racing

via @elcorramotors

Spirit of The Seventies W800

DEUS...example

Japanese classic fully restored

on the road

Kawa W