Highlights
- Incredible re-build
- Lots of special parts
- Race or road-ready
- Magazine featured
The Appeal
If you’re ‘in the know’ then you will already know the importance of the Moto Martin brand, but for those who may not know then here is a brief history of the amazing brand that is Moto Martin. Back in the 1970s & 80s, the Japanese bikes were renowned for being terrible when it came to their handling.
Moto Martin, along with other European companies, would make their own frames in house so they could handle the large air cooled engines that were being fitted at the time.
Produced during the heyday of Moto Martin this bike has had a lot of modern work completed to make it an incredibly capable bike both on and off the track.
Moto Martin, along with other European companies, would make their own frames in house so they could handle the large air cooled engines that were being fitted at the time.
Produced during the heyday of Moto Martin this bike has had a lot of modern work completed to make it an incredibly capable bike both on and off the track.
The History and Paperwork
- The story of this Moto Martin Kawasaki KGR 680T starts off in 1978, produced and sold to the first owner it lives a very happy life as a normal Moto Martin
- Its life with its previous owners appears to be fairly non-descript just being used as a bike
- Looking at the V5 it changed hands a few times and by the time the current owner set eyes on it, it had seen better days
- The previous owner had abandoned this race replica project and the engine was a non-runner
- Reading through one of the magazine features that comes within the history folder, the current owner may have been fuelled by a certain red liquid when they purchased this project
- When the current owner acquired it, they were determined to get this project across the finish line.
- As part of the rebuild, this bike has had a lot of time, money, and effort spent on it
- Starting with the Moto Martin frame, it is from 1978 and was originally designed for a Kawasaki 900/1000 engine.
- This frame has been adapted by Pete Sutton Engineering to take a more power powerful GPZ Unitrak engine
- Pete has crack tested all of the brazed joints and created a cradle that now hugs the engine and braces the whole frame
- The front suspension has also seen some work. It now has Kawasaki ZX12R front forks and yokes, a custom stem via Full Metal Ornament, the front wheel and disc are borrowed from a ZX12R, and the front mudguard was liberated from a Suzuki GSXr750 Slingshot model with minor adaption to fit.
- Like the front suspension, the rear has also been modified to accommodate an M-Shock custom damper that heralds from France, a Yamaha FZR Genesis swinging arm adapted to mirror geometry of MM single shock set up, and finally a Kawasaki ZXR750 rear wheel, disc, and brake caliper.
- Now we’re onto the business end with the new GPZ engine, sit down because the engine build had a lot of time spent on it and includes the following parts.
- Kawasaki GPz1100A-2 (based on engine number. Model year 1984)
- Wiseco 1170cc big bore kit
- Mikuni RS34 carburettors
- Jaygui full stainless race exhaust system with custom link pipe to enhance look for MM frame. JayGui are Dutch and used by most race teams in European CBSK and classic endurance race series.
- APE manual cam chain adjuster
- KipKawa oil cooler take off
- Motul 21 row oil cooler
- Earls custom braided oil lines and fittings
- As you can tell, it has been built properly, but we’re not finished quite yet we have one final section for the electronics.
- It has a Motogadget Classic Chrono Tacho/Speedo. Magnetic speedo drive via a single magnet on the front wheel.
- Dyna 2000 Ignition system with multiple maps and adjustable rev limiter. It’s mounted on the inside of the rear mudguard.
- Dyna 3 ohm green coils to match with Dyna leads etc
- Custom loom by Full Metal Ornament. The wiring for indicators is already in place should you wish to fit.
- There are a lot of invoices that document the bike's past
- A current V5 is present and ready for you
- Along with the invoices, there is a magazine where this bike features quite heavily in
- And some lovely Moto Martin original sales brochures are in great condition
- As you can see this has a lot of money spent on it, and the current owner says that it holds its own on the track
- It is now your chance to own and operate this amazing bike, creating many memories long into the future.
The Exterior
- Race inspired livery
- Original alloy fuel tank
- Built to look like a KR1000 endurance motorbike
- A few spare parts are coming with the bike
The current owner has drawn inspiration from the original French Kawasaki endurance racing team to come up with the livery that it is currently presented in. It looks super cool in person, and we can only imagine it looks even better when you’re out on the road or track.
If we start by looking at all of the fairings that adorn this bike in their period inspired race livery, we can see that they are all presented in very good condition. The belly pan used to fit better according to the owner, it is now held in place by the most useful tool in anyone’s arsenal, cable ties. But this does not detract from just how cool this bike looks in the flesh
The frame that it is the central part of this bike is possibly one of the most important features. This is an original Moto Martin frame that has been professionally adapted to accommodate the new GPZ Unitrak engine. Looking at the frame it is like a work of art. Pete Sutton made sure to crack the test and check the geometry to make sure that it was 100% perfect.
Whilst he was there, he also built in a bracing cradle for the bigger engine, it now cradles the engine perfectly meaning that there is no flex when you’re pushing on.
Looking at smaller items like the seats, foot pegs, handlebars, and cockpit area we can see that these areas are also presented in great condition. Maybe even better than when the original bike left the factory. The original alloy fuel tank is easy to remove.
Whether you wish to display this bike statically or display it dynamically out on the open road, be in no doubt that it will look amazing doing it. You need this bike in your collection, who else can say that they have a bike just like this.
If we start by looking at all of the fairings that adorn this bike in their period inspired race livery, we can see that they are all presented in very good condition. The belly pan used to fit better according to the owner, it is now held in place by the most useful tool in anyone’s arsenal, cable ties. But this does not detract from just how cool this bike looks in the flesh
The frame that it is the central part of this bike is possibly one of the most important features. This is an original Moto Martin frame that has been professionally adapted to accommodate the new GPZ Unitrak engine. Looking at the frame it is like a work of art. Pete Sutton made sure to crack the test and check the geometry to make sure that it was 100% perfect.
Whilst he was there, he also built in a bracing cradle for the bigger engine, it now cradles the engine perfectly meaning that there is no flex when you’re pushing on.
Looking at smaller items like the seats, foot pegs, handlebars, and cockpit area we can see that these areas are also presented in great condition. Maybe even better than when the original bike left the factory. The original alloy fuel tank is easy to remove.
Whether you wish to display this bike statically or display it dynamically out on the open road, be in no doubt that it will look amazing doing it. You need this bike in your collection, who else can say that they have a bike just like this.
The Mechanics
- Electric start
- The GPZ Unitrak engine has been bored out to 1170cc
- Great fun out on the track
- Genuine Jaygui stainless steel racing exhaust
- Making about 130-140hp
Not only does this bike shine on the exterior condition and quality, but the mechanical elements are amazing. The engine has had a lot of work, the suspension is dialled in, and the frame is one of the best from the period. What you will have here is a monster, or as some people may refer to it as a ‘crotch rocket’.
When this bike was originally built in the late ‘70s it was no slouch at all, but when the current owner acquired it with a seized engine, they decided to up the ante a little bit. They got their hands on a standard GPZ1100A-2 and got to work, making it into a monster.
Firstly, the engine received a Wiseco 1170cc big bore kit, then some Keihin CR33 carbs, a full Jaygui stainless steel race system, an APE manual cam chain adjuster, KipKawa oil cooler take off, a Motul 21 row oil cooler, and Earls custom braided oil lines/fittings. With all of this work, it is no surprise that the current owner thinks that it makes about 130-140hp, which is more than enough for something that looks like it weighs less than a gnat.
To get all of these new engine and mechanical components to talk to each other properly they then fitted a Dyna 2000 ignition system. This comes with multiple maps and an adjustable rev limiter. Currently, it runs the standard map as the bike has quite reached its running in milestone yet. There is an information sheet present in the paperwork folder that explains the run-in process, along with other technical specifications of the camshaft.
On the day of the photos, this bike fired into life with no problems whatsoever. Fitted with an electric starter it is incredibly easy to live with. When it fired the Jaygui exhaust made one amazing noise.
All you need to do is a glance at this bike and you know that it will be at home when out and about winding through some amazing English B-roads. With all of the time and effort, the current owner has put into getting this motorcycle running properly, all you need to do is simply ‘arrive and ride’.
You will get many happy hours out of this bike at full chat, so do not miss out on this opportunity.
When this bike was originally built in the late ‘70s it was no slouch at all, but when the current owner acquired it with a seized engine, they decided to up the ante a little bit. They got their hands on a standard GPZ1100A-2 and got to work, making it into a monster.
Firstly, the engine received a Wiseco 1170cc big bore kit, then some Keihin CR33 carbs, a full Jaygui stainless steel race system, an APE manual cam chain adjuster, KipKawa oil cooler take off, a Motul 21 row oil cooler, and Earls custom braided oil lines/fittings. With all of this work, it is no surprise that the current owner thinks that it makes about 130-140hp, which is more than enough for something that looks like it weighs less than a gnat.
To get all of these new engine and mechanical components to talk to each other properly they then fitted a Dyna 2000 ignition system. This comes with multiple maps and an adjustable rev limiter. Currently, it runs the standard map as the bike has quite reached its running in milestone yet. There is an information sheet present in the paperwork folder that explains the run-in process, along with other technical specifications of the camshaft.
On the day of the photos, this bike fired into life with no problems whatsoever. Fitted with an electric starter it is incredibly easy to live with. When it fired the Jaygui exhaust made one amazing noise.
All you need to do is a glance at this bike and you know that it will be at home when out and about winding through some amazing English B-roads. With all of the time and effort, the current owner has put into getting this motorcycle running properly, all you need to do is simply ‘arrive and ride’.
You will get many happy hours out of this bike at full chat, so do not miss out on this opportunity.
Summary
Wow, what a bike this is. So much has gone into making this bike into what it is today and with all the hard work completed you are being offered an amazing chance to get out and ride on a well-built, rare, and classic motorcycle that can hold its own against any pre-2000 superbike.
A chance like this rarely comes around so don’t miss out on this one, you may never see something like this come up for sale again. It will be money well spent that’s for sure.
A chance like this rarely comes around so don’t miss out on this one, you may never see something like this come up for sale again. It will be money well spent that’s for sure.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
