When Top Gun premiered in 1986, women swooned and men hastened to their local motorcycle dealerships, mesmerized by Tom Cruise’s iconic pose astride his high-performance Kawasaki Ninja GPZ900R. Thirty-three years having passed, one might reasonably expect both Tom and the Ninja to have reached the zenith of their powers. Yet, it appears this assumption is patently false. As a plethora of new releases from Cruise continues to emerge, it’s evident that he still has many miles left in his tank – and so does this reworked Kawasaki Ninja courtesy of the talented team at Copenhagen’s Wrenchmonkees.
Per Nielsen of the Wrenchmonkeys remarks, “Our most sought-after client required a high-performance, two-up touring motorcycle capable of handling the German autobahns.” “The choice of donor bike was straightforward, as we have always had a fondness for Maverick’s GPZ900R and had been searching for a project like this for quite some time.” With the wheels now in motion, the search began for a suitable donor. “We were thrilled to find two bicycles left behind as donations,” Per states. “The primary ride was a 1985 Kawasaki Ninja.” Despite its incomplete state – a strong body, half-assembled and engineless – the vehicle still managed to arrive with the necessary documentation. In contrast, another model, a 1991 make, lacked papers altogether and was in poor condition. Nevertheless, this unassuming pair provided the Wrenchmonkees with everything they needed to create a complete, registration-ready machine.
“The urgency to accelerate cannot be overstated.”
With the ’91 donor Pontiac engine at hand, the team embarked on a mission to craft their dream Ninja powertrain. With the aim to elevate efficiency, they upgraded to a 973cc package, complemented by Mikuni TMR 36 carbs. To mitigate the GPZ900R’s propensity for overheating, a cutting-edge cooling system was designed from scratch. A larger, eco-friendly radiator unit originating from the ZRX1100 is now positioned upfront, accompanied by an aftermarket oil cooler providing supplementary support. The thermostat has been repositioned from its original location above the valve cover to a more accessible spot at the engine’s front, secured by bespoke brackets that also serve as mounting points for the Motogadget M-Blaze Pin indicators.
The completion of the engines’ combustion cycle is facilitated by a thoroughly reworked exhaust system. Headers originating from Black Widow Exhaust in the UK were initially crafted for the GPZ1100. Because the original intention was to lower the Ninja by approximately 6-8 centimeters, the exhaust system required repositioning on either side of the oil pan to ensure sufficient ground clearance during urban driving. The system features a high-performance muffler, comprising a combination of stainless-steel and carbon-fibre materials, supplied by renowned specialist BWE.
Among Wrenchmonkee’s key objectives when modifying the Kawasaki Ninja was to give the motorcycle an even more intimidating and aggressive appearance. Can you effectively balance the thrill of the suspension setup without compromising ease of handling? To achieve the desired outcome, they reworked the fork set and installed decreasingly progressive coil springs. Within the rear, an YSS absolutely adjustable mono-shock is seamlessly integrated with an extended, modified Kawasaki ZX-636 swingarm. The brand-new wheel combination features a 17-inch front tyre from the GPZ900R paired with an 18-inch rear tyre from the ZX10. The company’s energy stopping system underwent a significant upgrade with the introduction of TRW discs and braided wires. As the seasons unfold, the path unwinds its gentle curves and twists, tracing a serpentine course through the landscape. Per tells us that “Dealing with him has really improved.” The bike’s handling becomes more responsive and easier to manage due to its reduced center of gravity.
The Wrenchmonkees honed their expertise in refining the bodywork and equipment to exacting standards. The entire Ninja’s lighting system, excluding the headlight, features advanced LED technology. Beneath the subtly shaded display lies a meticulously restored ’94 ZX-9 instrument cluster, its analog beauty now nestled among the custom-designed dashboards. Meanwhile, the fluid reservoirs that drive the motorcycle’s performance have been carefully sourced from a reliable ZZ-R1100. The levers and clip-on bars are bespoke TRW components, while the highest yoke originates from a Zephyr Z750 model. Although the bodywork remains conventional, the decision was made to deviate from the traditional design by omitting the lower portions of the front fairing. This upgrade also aids in engine cooling, expertly exposing the stunning satin-finish exhaust headers for all to admire.
The crowning glory of this two-wheeled masterpiece is its instantly recognizable Wrenchmonkees livery, a visual nod to the iconic Ninja brand. While the colour choice bears some resemblance to Kawasaki’s 1991 Ninja palette, a matte clear coat has been applied to bring a finished look to this design. Here is the rewritten text:
With the matte black finish applied to the engine instances, fork legs, and body, you’ve crafted an incredibly cool bike that might be too awesome even for Maverick himself to ride.
WRENCHMONKEES
