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Kawasaki KZ1000

In 1976, Cycle World declared that the KZ1000 was “The Fastest Stocker We’ve Ever Tested.” Production started in 1976, and the KZ1000 was the third in a line of fast, exciting ‘nakeds’ that started with the Z1 and then the KZ900.

The KZ1000 is now something of a cult machine, and popular with both cafe racer builders and restomod specialists. In Japan, there is a whole industry of companies that focus on fettling and upgrading the KZ1000, with AC Sanctuary being the most famous.

Over the years, multiple variants of the KZ1000 were developed by Kawasaki, and the 1980 Z1000H was the first mass-produced fuel-injected motorcycle in the world.

It’s one of the most exciting platforms to build on in the custom world, and if you have tens of thousands of dollars to spare, you can buy a heavily upgraded custom KZ1000 that will hold its own against much more modern machinery.

The latest motorcycle news, classics and customs

Speed Read: A rare 1997 Ducati 916 SPS and more

3 MONTHS AGO / NO COMMENTS / LATEST MOTORCYCLE NEWS

These four motorcycles prove that performance comes in all shapes and sizes. There’s a rare 1997 Ducati 916 SPS for sale in New York, a 1970s Kawasaki KZ1000 restomod from the legendary AC Sanctuary, and a Honda CB1000 customized by a racing enthusiast. We end off with a sneak peek at Triumph’s upcoming motocross race…

Read more »
Kawasaki Z1000 with Suzuki Bandit engine by Krook Street Racing

Kawazuki: A Kawasaki Z1000 with a Bandit engine

6 MONTHS AGO / NO COMMENTS / CUSTOM MOTORCYCLES

David Anderson is the raddest custom motorcycle builder that you’ve never heard of. He has zero online presence, and the only two bikes we’ve seen from him were built 12 years apart. But he has a 100% success rate at knocking our socks off. His last project, a Husqvarna street tracker that he built before…

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Custom Kawasaki KZ1000 Mad Max replica

Hot Pursuit: A replica of the Mad Max Kawasaki KZ1000

1 YEAR AGO / NO COMMENTS / CUSTOM MOTORCYCLES

The thought of a Mad Max-inspired motorcycle typically conjures up a very distinct image. But not every vehicle in George Miller’s dystopian film series was a scraggy death trap, covered in scavenged materials and rust. Cast your mind back to the very first Mad Max flick, and MFP officer Jim ‘Goose’ Rains’ 1977 Kawasaki KZ1000…

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Kawasaki KZ1000R S1 replica by VSB Moto

Mean Green Machine: VSB’s Kawasaki KZ1000R S1 replica

1 YEAR AGO / NO COMMENTS / CLASSIC MOTORCYCLES

Even if you know very little about Kawasaki’s history, you probably know about the KZ1000R Eddie Lawson Replica. Released in 1982, it was a limited edition motorcycle based on the one that Lawson won the championship with. Essentially a production bike with new paint and some upgraded parts, it was special, but not overly so.…

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The latest motorcycle news, customs and electrics.

Speed Read, March 27, 2022

Our favorite stories this week run the whole gamut from old school to new, starting with a stunning Ducati breathed on by…

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Heavily modified Kawasaki Z1000 race bike by AC Sanctuary

Red Zed: AC Sanctuary’s 152 hp Z1000 racer

Anyone who has raced motorcycles or spun spanners in a pit lane will know that track bikes are a work in progress.…

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The AC Sanctuary RCM A16

Inch Perfect: Close up with AC Sanctuary’s A16 demo bike

If there’s any proof that motorcycling is a universal language, it’s the global fame of AC Sanctuary. Set up in the mid…

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The best cafe racers and classics and motorcycles from around the web

Custom Bikes Of The Week: 19 January, 2020

A box fresh turbocharged Kawasaki Mystery Ship, a slinky Yamaha Virago cafe racer from Spain, a Henderson Model G converted into a…

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The best cafe racers, flat trackers and classics from around the web

Custom Bikes Of The Week: 11 August, 2019

A brutal new Kawasaki restomod from AC Sanctuary, a Crocker Small Tank about to go under the hammer, and a slick Krämer…

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The best cafe racers, scramblers and restomods of the week

Custom Bikes Of The Week: 25 November, 2018

A new Kawasaki Zed from the Japanese restomod kings AC Sanctuary, a retro-futuristic BMW R80 from Holland, and a $30,000 Yamaha WR450F…

Read more »
Kawasaki KZ1000 LTD resto-mod by Venier Customs

Turning Japanese: A KZ1000 resto-mod from Venier

Custom trends will come and go, but the art of the resto-mod will always have a place in the pantheon of motorcycle…

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Sacrilège: A Kawasaki Z1000ST Of Biblical Proportions

Ed Turner is one of Europe’s most extreme custom workshops. Owner Karl Renoult has a very clear and unapologetic vision: he builds each…

Read more »
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