Japan-based AC-Sanctuary has built some beautiful, modified performance Kawasakis over the years, including a couple reported on by MD here and here. Now, it has turned its attention to a modern retro model produced by Kawasaki, the Z900RS.
The Z900RS is a capable machine in stock trim, but, as is customary for AC-Sanctuary, interesting and thoughtful modifications create a beautiful, high performance version.
To stiffen the frame for higher performance riding, new, lower rails connect portions of the frame (see the polished section).
The Sculpture swingarm is stiffer and allows use of a wider rear wheel and tire. New triple clamps change the steering geometry and hold beautiful Ohlins forks, while the new swingarm is suspended from an Ohlins shock.
Pricey OZ Racing wheels and Brembo brakes are also featured.
A new Nitro Racing titanium exhaust is part of the package, as well as a much larger capacity radiator to control heat.
Custom paint, fender eliminator, new mounts for the factory headlight, custom bar risers and other details provide options for Z900RS owners.
Not everyone wants to pour this kind of money into a retro-style motorcycle, but we are glad AC-Sanctuary produces this kind of custom for retro lovers. Take a look at their web site for additional details on this model and others.
I love a round headlight on a modern UJM. If KTM built an SDR like this, I’d buy another.
Not that fellow-Minnesotan Mick shouldn’t have the last word on cool retro bikes, but whatever happened to these guys at Mac – https://www.mac-motorcycles.com/the-bikes/ – and would you buy one if it were under $10,000?
Sorry; even though made in my own country, I wouldn’t buy one at any price because they are hideous, even more so than CCMs. And I like singles and have several, though styled and made in Italy where they understand elegance.
I agree. It looks like they pulled a larger engine out and sub’d a tiny single in its place.
The Brits have all the fun. They have Mash, CCM, and Langen too. Golden age retros. We get saddled jurassic retros from the likes of Harley and Indian that weigh nearly twice as much as the bike they are made to resemble. Spare me.
The Mash bikes were selling like hot cakes in Paris when I lived there. Those and the R9T from BMW for the guys with a few more euros in their moto budget. I was so happy when the guy who had the V-Rod that was parked between my apartment and the garage were I kept my bikes and motorcycle replaced it with an R9T. That V-Rod was so ugly that it seemed to want to harm you in some way with a sort of hostile ugliness. I was surprised that the French didn’t ban it. They’re bad like that.
Not digging the CCMs Nick? I like most of their bikes that have proper tail sections. Too bad they seem to be making fewer of those all the time.
Isn’t this like a third time reimagined 70s UJM? Not my thing really. But as a blingmobile, I wonder why they didn’t anodize the frame braces and swingarm black. That or add adjustable footpags In bare aluminum just to break up the bling free zone in that area.
Then there’s the exhaust. Cool header, check. But the can is probably garbage bin loud and not necessarily aesthetically pleasing.
Whatever, I own a bling laden motorcycle and I have probably made a questionable choice here or there on it, like perhaps the billet luggage rack. But luggage racks have a function. What the bike does have is a little bling wherever you look. Not that it matters. The wheels are really nice and all. But there are tubes in the tires! Instant projectile vomiting from about half of the guys here. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Anyway, this bike has lots of bling on the periphery and none in the center. I’ll take glaring oversight for $300 Alex.
Wow! Now this is a beautiful machine.
OMG!! BEAUTIFUL!!! Long time Kawi lover since my ’73 Z1.
Simply stunning, how a motorcycle should look.
Lovely bike. To the commenter below – build a Z400 and they will come – I’m thinking the consensus goldilocks “just right, sweet spot” bike appears to be a an adventure/standard in a 790/800 parallel twin flavor. Put me in charge of small bikes, say at Indian, and I would come out with a caliber-themed bike. Are we not a gun culture? My sweet spots would be twin 357 and a 454. As in .357 magnum, and 454 Casull. The 454 also brings me back to my old 454 big block Chevy, too. Kids might even feel it.
With the new Eliminator 400 is seems like they’re part of the way there. It’s a really cool styled bike but as a retro exercise I can’t help but feel they didn’t go back far enough.
I have often wondered why you see so little firearm design in bikes. Even back when they were all trying to out ridiculous each other making choppers you didn’t see much in the way of tastefully firearm design. Ammo head clutch and ignition covers seem like such a no brainer for instance. Brake resovoirs…
Because it “bothers” you TimC…Good freakin’ grief! Really?! WTF?! What kind of name is “TimC”? Do you pronounce it Temmc? Really?!! OCD run in the family?
When you email and it has your name on the top but then you sign it again at the bottom do you get whiners axin’ you why you did that? Really?!
Go for a ride on a motorbike.
Rally.
ORT 😉
Raythe
Ahhhh, a real motorcycle!
As cool as this looks, I can’t help but think a factory made Z400 RS (KZ400?) in this sort of style would be very successful. I think it’d be more successful than the z650 RS worldwide.
Wow, nice proportions. Daddy like.
bike-porn. Go to the referenced AC-Sanctuary website for some real beauties.
Beautiful machine but would cost lots to replicate. Which begs the question: if you want a hyper naked why not just buy a hyper naked? I guess the retro vibe is worth it.
Love how those painted lines on the tank visually lower this bike. In stock form it looks top heavy.
I think it is a stunning bike. I had a Z1000 in the 70’s. Fabulous.
A lot of nice touches. I really liked the 900 cafe that Kawasaki introduced a few years back but really wished it had twin shocks in place of the gaping hole above the rear wheel.
Well done and tasty mods, but a sleeper treatment to an existing factory sleeper seems a bit redundant. A case of diminishing returns compared to the SE model, for me.
I’d like the stock bike if Kawasaki had done a better job with the watermelon of a gas tank. This bike looks like it’s trying too hard with the trick parts. That exhaust system, the welds, safety wire and springs is just beautiful and just too much. A bit less would be more.
Very nice indeed! But…I would really like to see an ELR1000 from these guys.
But then, I was around when the original was too. Back to the 900RS. It is gorgeous but it made me wonder just what they might do with an Eddie Lawson Replica.
ORT
Yep. Green Kawasaki. But it was Wayne Rainy GPZ.
It was an Eddie Lawson Replica. Wayne Rainey (you spelled it wrong) rode for Yamaha.
Actually my mistake, there was a Wayne Rainey GPz replica and there was an Eddie Lawson replica. ORT was referring to the Eddie Lawson replica. And Rainey rode for Kawasaki for a period as well as Yamaha later on. My apologies for posting a bit of wrong info.
Why do you put ORT on every comment? We can see ORT right at the top of the comment.
…because sometimes you have imposters.
ORT
Ed fookin’ Zachary, jimmihaffa!
HaffaORT
Because it “bothers” you TimC…Good freakin’ grief! Really?! WTF?! What kind of name is “TimC”? Do you pronounce it “Temmc”? Really?!! OCD run in the family?
When you email and it has your name on the top but then you sign it again at the bottom do you get whiners axin’ you why you did that? Really?!
Go for a ride on a motorbike.
Rally. Really.
ORT 😉
Wrestlers at actors. It’s easier to stay in character if you sign the characters name.
Broke a bone without crashing.
Ride On ORT!
Motoman 🙂