Jim Clarke’s ’98 Kawasaki ZX7R Ninja
Del.icio.usWhen Jim Clarke was 17 years old growing up in England, the first motorcycle he owned was a Suzuki GS-125 electric start. In the UK, the biggest engine anyone under 18 years of age can ride is a 125cc with no more then 14.6 brake horsepower.
“I had my 125 for just over a year and wanted to move up in size as soon as I could,” says Clarke. “I joined the British Army and was sent to Germany, and we can buy things tax-free, so I bought a Kawasaki 600. I took it out on the Autobahn and had that for about five years. I loved that bike.”
At the end of 2006, Clarke was looking for a sports bike as a daily rider and scored this ride. It was mechanically sound, but the body was a little scraped up — and that’s when he met Ivan Gabriel.
“I saw some of the work Ivan did and wanted him to work on this bike,” says Clarke. “We spoke about doing something between a street bike and a show bike, so I gave it Ivan and that is where it all ended, I should say. We both got carried away and what was supposed to be a street bike became a show bike.”
South Seas Cycle Exchange presents its inaugural Invitational Bike Show Feb. 22 at its sales lot near the airport. Jim Clarke’s Ninja is one of the bikes invited to appear at the show.
YEAR – 1998
MAKE – Kawasaki
MODEL – ZX7R
ENGINE In-Line 4cyl, 750cc, 38mm CVKD (Constant Velocity) carburetors, Ram Air System (dual intake), 4 degree ignition advance, K&N filters, jet kit, Muzzy race exhaust giving, 145 bhp at the crank
DRIVETRAIN DID 520VM chain, Vortex 15-tooth front sprocket, 44 tooth rear
SUSPENSION 43mm USD (upside down) front forks, Uni-Track rear monoshock
WHEELS Black nickel chrome rims, Galfer stainless steel braided brake and clutch lines, Wave rotors, EBC sintered brake pads
ELECTRONICS Digital ignition
FRAME Black nickel chrome
STEREO iPod in my pocket
EXTERIOR/BODY Custom candy apple-green paint with gold pearl, custom made rear seat cover, custom chain guard and wheel, intergraded rear led light (turn signals and rear lights all in one light fitting), custom adjustable racing rearsets, Yana Shiki custom billet grips, Pazzo racing levers, custom flush mount LED front turn signals, Vortex clip on bars, stainless steel engine/body screws, Vortex racing gas cap, aluminum anodized brake and clutch fluid caps
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS Comments (0) |
Most Recent Comment(s):
