Suzuka 8 Hour Contender.....

[Gosling1]

the following motorcycle is quite possibly the most *exotic* machine ever prepared for a bash at the annual Suzuka 8-Hour endurance race.

It is an Asahina Special, based on a Z1000

In 6 attempts, it has qualified twice, but never finished a race. But that is not the point.......

the point is, there is not one other motorcycle on God's green earth, that was designed well over 30 years ago, that could even possibly contemplate qualifying in a current Suzuka 8-Hour.

This bike laps around the 152kmh average - the *quick* bikes are lapping around 164kmh........

Modifications as follows:

Asahina frame - Twin cradle aluminium square section (NOT a GSX-R copy);
Asahina detachable rear frame loop;
Asahina aluminum swing-arm;
Asahina 19-litre carbon-fibre tank;
Z1000 US police-based engine - 1135cc (120hp @ 9500rpm);
Brembo hydraulic clutch coversion;
Yoshimura ST2 camshafts;
FCR37 carburettors;
Brembo 4-piston front brakes, Honda CBR 1000 disc rotors;
Brembo twin-piston rear caliper, Honda XLR250 disc rotor;
Asahina Extec 4-1 exhaust;
Ohlins USD titanium-nitrided forks;
Ohlins rear suspension;
Asahina glass-fibre ram-air scoops;
Asahina glass-fibre seat;
Honda VTR1000 SP1 top yoke;
Asahina tacho;
Marchesini front wheel;
Honda RS250 rear wheel;
Michelin Pilots.

the sump is one of the only *unmodified* items left on this rig......but they were always good, stock Kawasaki sumps......

[chameleon]

Nice bike alright Gosling. What would the boys have done to get their hands on those mods in the old days.

[Neka79]

thats way cool..tho to call it a "30yo" bike..the only thing 30yo is the motor design..everything else is custom, and 1 off by the sounds of it..tho its still cool...

[matchan]

excellent, I like the way they've kept the look of the oringinal bike with the tank and ducktail although the frame detracts from it a bit, ah takes me back, used to have a z1 back in the mid 80s.

where do I get a job building stuff like that ?

Matt

[red_dave]

what a machine... looks awesome.

[Phil]

oh no....looks like i'm going "out the back again"

[mrmina]

i like it

[Gosling1]

thats way cool..tho to call it a "30yo" bike..the only thing 30yo is the motor design..everything else is custom, and 1 off by the sounds of it..tho its still cool...

yes you are dead right mate, it is really only the motor that has its 'roots' from over 30 years ago...........the guy who owns it runs a motorcycle exhaust design place in Japan.....he is a clever bugger.

What we would have done 30 years ago to get this type of custom-built stuff, I don't know.......sold the grandmother perhaps ??

Philthy - you are spending far too much time out the back mate

soon you won't be able to see these posts !!!!

I will dig up some more pics, have a few of good old race rigs

[TopCat]

Gosling,
off you go, out the back mate

[TopCat]

and don't come back

(good for a rex)

[TopCat]

and while you're out there ...

[TopCat]

and there's 2 more on the site below at "Racing", "Others"
Enjoy,
TC

[Gosling1]

Gosling,
off you go, out the back mate

I'm gone mate.......... how's the lean angle !!!!! FMD !!

[fat460]

Thats horn. I want one. Keep those cool race pics coming.

Paul.