We here at “Motorcycle Picture of the Day” do not endorse doing this to a Norton… at all. But you have to be awestruck at the amount time effort and detail that went in to this… this… well decide for yourself I suppose. different strokes and all that.
1938 R66
1929 R11
I never knew that the early CCM’s ever used the BSA engines. This is a really beautiful example.
These bikes sort of broke my heart when they came out. At the time I couldn’t really afford one as I was in school and Americans never really warmed up to them so they were short lived over here. Someone (I’m guessing over in Japan) has one fresh out of the crate still with the plastic wrap on it. What a great find!
For those unfamiliar with the model here is the Wiki age entry:
The Kawasaki Zephyr is a line of air-cooled inline 4-cylinder-engined motorcycles built by Kawasaki to meet the demand for retro-styled naked motorcycles in Japan and elsewhere in the 1990s. There were a number of Zephyr models available in four engine capacities – 400, 550, 750, and 1100cc.
The 400 was produced for Japan due to the demand for 400cc motorcycles in that market. It was very popular. Many aftermarket parts were produced, with companies like Over Racing producing exhausts, swingarms, fairings and engine modifications.
Zephyr styling is roughly based on the old Z1, with twin shock rear suspension, a relatively upright riding position and air cooled power units. The 400, 550 and 750 engines were developed from the old Z400/500/550/650/750/900 series. The 1100 engine is a re-engineered version of a liquid-cooled powerplant and is the only Zephyr built with two spark plugs per cylinder. The Zephyr offered the customer retro styling coupled with simplicity and reliability. Performance of the line was adequate for normal riding and the engines were tuned for low to mid range power.
The Zephyr started the Naked/Retro bike boom in the UK and Europe in the early 1990s and for a while moved Kawasaki to the 2nd best selling manufacturer of motorcycles in the UK Market.
The Zephyr Z 750 engine reappeared in the late 1990s in the short lived ER7.
The Zephyr 1100 had a Z1 restyle in its last year of sale including a return to wire wheels. Wire wheels also appeared on the 750. It was replaced in the Kawasaki UK range by the popular Z1100R styled ZRX1100(later ZRX1200).
The ZRX series of motorcycles had a great impact on the growing market for retro style motorcycles, particularly in the United States. It was modeled after Kawasaki’s superbike championship winning KZ1000R-S1 that propelled Eddie Lawson to Superbike dominance in the early 1980s and even spawned an international owners association known as the ZRXOA (ZRX Owners Association)
I love these replicas. Courtesy of Loud Lightening. You can get a nice complete kit for these at Mecatwin or get the parts from Airtech
After taking another look I just realized that that is NOT a modern mill in there so this is likely a seriously upgraded original. Whatever it is it’s well done.
It a flat Tracker extravaganza around here lately. Here’s a nice old Bultaco set up Flat Track style!
The object of lust for a generation of 10 year old boys. The terror of thousands of campgrounds. The decoration strapped to the bumpers of millions of Winnebago’s. The Honda Trail 70. And a damm nice one to boot.
Don picked up on the MX250 pics I’ve posted and chips in with a couple of really great shots.
Don Writes:
Steve;
Not only did the motors appear stock in Moto Crossers. A lot of flat track racers used them in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Here’s a couple of my Harley MX 250 in a Boss frame. On is of Jay Springsteen on it and the other is me being chased by 2 very big 4 strokes.
Later,Don
Thanks Much Don. As always, very much appreciated!
From their Website:
“A friendly competition between the technology departments of Newfield Central Schools and Nskayuna High School in Niskayuna, New York. This design challenge is the brain child of Mr. Ketcham and Mr. Desimony of Niskayuna. This challenge centers on the building of a vintage cafe racer. “
LOTS more info HERE and HERE along with build pictures and some new projects!
These classes should be very proud of such stellar work! This gives me hope for the future of our vintage bikes!
Motorcycle Photo Of The Day 