The story:
The bike was picked up from a local re-seller of used and wrecked bikes. It was involved in a crash that buckled the front forks and caused some cosmetic damage to the 1980’s style fairings that were originally fitted. That was all perfect for us. We didn’t need the front end, and the cosmetic fairings (if you can even call them that) were coming off anyway.
The engine and all electronics were in great condition and she hummed along gracefully, as most K-series bikes do. These engines can pack quite a punch and are renowned for their reliability. Ask any K series purist and they’ll tell you all about it. But this build was anything but pure. Extensive modification work over 60+ days went into almost every aspect of the bike. This includes a CBR 929 front end, custom in-house pie-cut intake manifold, custom pie-cut exhaust and silencer, an Estoril Blue paint job, Acewell speedo integration and much more!
The bike now comes in at 197.8 Kg with 51/49 Split in weight distribution between the front and rear. The CBR929RR front-end was designed for a bike of 194kg making the forks almost perfect. The bike’s original specification indicates a wet weight of 236kg. In short. it dropped a total of 38.2kg.
Since it’s debut right here on Pipeburn the bike was featured in several other magazines and platforms. This includes Youtube channel Racer TV, Australian Motorcyclist Magazine, BMW Motorrad and others.
The modifications:
1. Cleaned and reduced frame by shortening rear sub-frame.
2. Complete paint-job to engine, swing arm and frame (satin black for mechanical and high gloss for modified frame).
3. Cleaned and de-badged fuel tank. Custom tank paint job (BMW Estoril Blue).
4. Fibre-glass seat-pan and cowl, painted to match tank (BMW Estoril Blue).
5. Custom seat using black leather and impact blue diamond stitching.
6. Custom in-house fabricated pie cut exhaust and silencer.
7. Custom in-house fabricated pie cut air intake system (All stainless steel and polished).
8. Custom in-house fabricated over-flow canister relocated in cavity underneath tank (All stainless steel and polished).
9. All lighting upgraded to LEDs including a Stedi 7inch Carbon Black LED Headlight with in-house bracket.
10. Front fork conversion using 2001 Honda CBR 929RR upside-down forks. As a result the front brake system was improved and now uses CBR twin rotor with Nissin brake calipers.
11. Custom front brake reservoir, and custom braided brake lines courtesy of GK Tech.
12. Integrated CBR 929 Rear sets using in-house adapters to suit bike. As a result a new rear brake rod was fabricated suit.
13. Integrated CBR 929 control switches for a more ergonomic functionality of controls.
14. Modified electrical wiring and removed original instrument cluster. New Acewell 2853 Speedometer integrated with Alex Joost Electrical Adapter. Relocated ignition barrel.
15. Electrical system is now supplied using an ultra-light-weight Lithium Ion battery that has been relocated just in-front of the alternator and underneath the seat.
16. Custom in-house bolt dress-up kit to conceal existing OEM frame and suspension bolts for a clean finish.
17. Wheels painted gloss black and equipped with Shinko 230 Tour Master tyres (Front: 120/90-17 and Rear: 130/90-18).
18. Custom front and rear fenders and many more other smaller components making the bike work both functionally and aesthetically.
Lastly, the bike is fitted with all approved lighting, fenders and a baffled custom exhaust. The bike complies with Australian ADRs, Modification Guidelines and Road Regulations. They’re not quite as strict as the UN ECE requirements but TUV certification wouldn’t be a problem with some minor changes.