Have you ever wished that you could have a race replica motorcycle that you could run on the road?
Well, look no further because we have just the answer for you. This unique Kawasaki Z900 A4 has been turned into a race replica machine by the previous and current owners with help from some of the best specialists in the sector.
Ready for you to hop on and ride away into the distance this is a really interesting proposition for you to own something that is near identical to the original.
Starting life as a Kawasaki Z900 – A4 this bike has had one interesting life since it left the factory in 1976
When the current owner acquired the bike in 2009 it was presented in a rather ‘of the time’ 1980s purple metal flake paint job
Although the paint was not to their liking, the mechanical elements were exactly what they wanted
The receipts that came with the bike in 2009 show that the engine was a 1260cc big-bore unit that had been built by Debbens. A wizard when it comes to these bikes
This is where the original build stops and the more recent 21st-century rebuild takes a hold, lots of parts were sourced and are as follows
Metchamex swinging arm.
The front forks are FZR600 (ex-Team Glam endurance racing)
With the Rear shocks being Works Performance, the same brand that was used in period
Wheels are super light Astralite affairs
Brakes are AP Racing
Genuine Moriwaki rear sets.
Most importantly the airing and seat are genuine Gordon Pantall and are from the same molds that Gordon used to build Graeme Crosby’s F1 bike for the 1979 season
There is also a spare, brand new, PMC tank painted to match that will come with the bike.
These are all of the parts that have been changed on the chassis side of things, and now we come onto the more mechanical elements
The cases are from a Z1R which are known to be the strongest case’s and cranks Kawasaki ever produced. These were then opened up by Debbens Performance to take 1260cc barrels.
The Head is flowed, has oversized valves, and has been adapted to run shims under bucket
It has also been fitted with Andrews race camshafts
Dyna coils and Dyna 2000 ignition with rev limiter running custom map by GP Performance.
It now Produces close to 140bhp on their dyno (graphs to prove).
It is supplied all its air through CR33 race carbs
It will then expel all the gases through a genuine Moriwaki Monaka exhaust, which sounds absolutely mega.
Tested at a Donington track day it emits 112 dB, and even warrants an ‘exhaust noisey’ advisory on the old MOTs. But we can't think of any better way to have it
During the current ownership, it has also had a top end rebuild by Tim Blackmore Racing
As you can imagine with all of this work that has been carried out over the years, there is a bit of paperwork that will come with this bike, including invoices dating to the ‘90s.
This bike was featured on the front cover of Practical Sportsbike when the current owner finished the rebuild. A rather lengthy write-up was done about the bike and documents the whole build practically
The current owner really has enjoyed this bike properly throughout their ownership, using it on multiple occasions at events like the Spa Bikers Classic and Endurance Legends at Donington Park.
There are a couple of spare parts that will come with the bike too
The current owner describes this bike as a really unique proposition and that you will be ending up with a very special bike.
A true eye-catcher, the exterior of this bike is a faithful recreation of an all-conquering Graeme Crosby F1 racing motorbike.
The current owner has spent a lot of time and effort in creating an example that is visually identical to the original racing bike. They even tracked down the owner of the original body panel moulds, which has resulted in this stunning motorcycle.
Looking at the overall condition you will be able to see that it has been treasured for the past 13 years.
The livery is stunning and eye-catching whether you catch a glimpse as it thunders past on the track, or you get to be up and close to it you can’t help but gawp at the looks. Modern motorcycles definitely don’t look this cool!
The condition of the external parts is amazing, it really is, with the current owner making sure everything was perfect. There is, however, a tiny stain just above the fuel line towards the rear of the tank, but fear not, the current owner has a spare that is also finished in this amazing Moriwaki livery.
The rest of in external condition is also great, the black seat looks fairly comfortable indeed, with only the smallest of nicks it looks like new.
The handlebars/grips also mirror this condition, both are presented well. Wherever you look on the exterior of this bike you are met with proper parts, such as the Moriwaki stamped exhaust or the Moriwaki embossed foot pegs. Speaking of the foot pegs you will notice that one is shorter than the other to accommodate the kickstart.
As it’s a proper race bike there is no electric starter, it’s all about brute strength, or you can use a roller starter as we did on the day of the photographs.
Much like the period correct livery, a lot of the mechanical elements are also correct to the period that it has been styled on.
The engine fitted to this bike was breathed upon before the current owner picked it up by the specialists at Debben Performance.
When the current owner set about building this bike, they made sure they sourced the best parts possible to recreate their favourite bike. From the front Metchamex swing arm to the Works Performance rear shocks, and Astralite wheels to the AP racing brakes.
All of these elements mean that this bike handles like a dream.
With all this beautiful handling it is almost vital that the engine and running gear side of things are just as complimentary. Luckily, they are, the engine had already had some work completed on it which took the size up to 1260cc.
Along with this, the head has been flowed (this work was completed by Tim Blakemore Racing). In more modern times the engine was sent to Grumpy 1260 who were able to rebuild and refresh it. T
o help hit its near 140hp figure it breathes through CR33 race carbs and expels its gases through a genuine Moriwaki Monaka exhaust. To help all of the components talk to each other properly a Dyna 2000 and coils have been fitted.
On the day that the photos were taken the bike was placed on an electric roller starter. It fired up and ran with a little throttle. Due to its race tuned engine, it wants to be screaming around a track and therefore can be a bit of a diva on idle.
Overall, the mechanical condition of this bike is amazing, you will be getting a beast of a motorcycle that is raring to go.
If you like truly unique vehicles then this motorcycle is for you.
With so much history, its magazine features, and eye catching design you will be getting one amazing bike.
The current owner has cherished this bike throughout their lengthy ownership and now it is time for you to enjoy the thrills of classic motoring. As soon as you see, hear, or ride this motorcycle it will get under your skin and you will cherish it throughout the next chapter of your life.
This is one gem of a vehicle that you will never see come up for sale again.
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