Kawasaki Z1000 40th Anniversary Custom by Angel Lussiana

2012 there was a 40th anniversary of Kawasaki’s legendary Z series of bikes. Kawasaki Italy decided to celebrate this event their own way and asked Angel Lussiana to build the custom motorcycle in the style of Z1.

Stripping the new Z1000 was the easy part, even if the whole frame had to become mirror-shiny aluminium, just like the forks had.

A different fuel tank made of fiberglass and custom, hand-made exhausts have been installed to evoke the 1972 bike. The tail section was also designed by Angel in fiberglass and front/ tail lights are in the spirit of the bikes of yore.

However, the biggest challenge was the radiator: the 2013 motorcycle had a huge front-mounted unit which had nothing to do with the '72 bike, so Angel found a solution that's as stunning as it its cool.

He mounted the radiator under the seat, inside the subframe and designed 6 air ducts which channel cool air from the front of the bike, above the engine and under the tank and seat, directing the stream into the cooling fins. A proper custom-made RAM-Air system which works well, too. A leather seat was also re-designed to look like the seat of original Z1.

Image source returnofthecaferacers.com