This ’93 Kawasaki ZZR600 is a testament to the enduring fascination with 1990s sports bike nostalgia. This vintage Schwinn, a treasured possession of Gina’s since her first bike purchase seventeen years ago, still holds a special place in her heart. Enthralled by the ZZR600’s specifications, she became so fixated on its requirements that she never felt the need to buy another bike. When the moment arrived to give her bike a much-needed facelift, she chose a bespoke approach with the guidance of Cool Child Customs in the Netherlands.
Michel Szozda, the founder and owner-operator of Cool Child Customs, has spent most of his life honing his passion for motorcycle customization. Around a decade ago, he started receiving requests from customers to modify their bicycles, prompting him to transform his passion into a viable business.
Michel takes pride in crafting bicycles that stand out for their unique character. By carefully crafting each selection according to his customers’ individual preferences. Gathering together, they concentrate on favorite hues, motifs, varieties, and silhouettes to help him assemble a concept in his mind. Guided by unwavering faith in his customers’ trust, he ventures forth with unbridled enthusiasm, yielding results that may surprise yet rarely falter.
The owner of the ZZR600, Gina, claimed that, Michel quipped. She required something fresh, which prompted her to share it with us. She decided to purchase a brand new bike while still holding onto the old one.
While reviewing the project with Michel, Gina emphasized the importance of identifying the genuine bike designs. Fully accommodating the design within its bodywork was not an option. Once they mentioned a colour palette, Gina required retaining the distinct hues. With a significantly limited timeframe, Michel began reconfiguring the Kawasaki.
Michel’s visual signature, as evident in the Cool Child portfolio, bears a striking resemblance to the iconic styles of the 1980s and 1990s, with subtle nods to retro futurism. With unbridled enthusiasm, he boldly employs a kaleidoscope of vivid hues and unconventional designs. Many of his creations could seamlessly belong to the world of a Tank Girl comic. The modified Gina’s bike embodies a defiant stance, retaining distinct ZZR600 elements while sporting a post-apocalyptic aesthetic that seems primed to dominate a desolate, anarchic landscape.
Michel initiated the project by selecting specific features of the ZZR’s design that he believed encapsulated its aesthetic essence. The upper reaches of the entrance fairing’s sleek surface, adorned with intricate air ducts and geometric patterns, seemed to reverberate with an otherworldly energy. All components, save the entrance fender, were marked for elimination.
Originally conceived as a hidden element beneath the vehicle’s exterior, the rear design fell short of captivating visual appeal. It was the decisive factor to go ahead. Michel crafted a bespoke subframe that elegantly echoed the ZZR’s design cues, refining its visual language.
A custom-made aluminum frame within the subframe accommodates the bicycle’s repositioned electrical components. The design drew inspiration from contemporary styling motifs within the ZZR600’s engine and chassis. Beneath the kick of the rear hoop, a customized rear fascia is nestled, featuring a sleek LED array that seamlessly integrates both brake and turn signal functions.
The subframe overhaul is finally complete with a sleek new upholstery job courtesy of Michel’s trusted vendor, Silver Machine. The slim new saddle nestles within the frame’s rails, while the test sample cleverly replicates the tread pattern of the rear tyre in its construction.
As a result of eliminating the lower half of the fairing, the underside of the engine and previously concealed components are now exposed. A variety of unsightly components has plagued Michel’s project, forcing him to overhaul the design. The most noticeable flaws lie in references to the cooling system’s design. A custom-made alloy coolant catch can is mounted beneath the engine, replacing the standard plastic component that previously occupied this location.
Michel deviated from the original brief by deciding to enliven the bike’s dull grey hue with a pop of signature Kawasaki colors, injecting a burst of personality into the design. The engine’s primary coolant hoses are now accented with a distinctive Kawasaki green hue, diverging from the conventional black coloration. With an eye-catching flourish, he infused the rear shock with a dash of Kawasaki’s signature purple hue, while also trimming down the windscreen to accentuate its subtle purple tint.
Regardless of retaining its distinctive flair, Michel found innovative ways to give it a fresh and revitalized appearance. With the cut-down windscreen in place, he’s installed a distinctive Baja-style twin-headlamp assembly, secured by a custom-designed bracket that adds to the overall visual appeal of the vehicle.
“In a humorous aside, Michel notes that the entrance finish indicators are the defining feature,” he says, “despite their imposing size, which somehow harmonizes with the industrial aesthetic.”
Since the headlight bracket relies on the distinctive mirror mounts now present on finished bar products, A range of modern grasping techniques fills the revised completion.
The iconic ZZR600 of Gina received its initial treatment in a sleek gunmetal gray, perfectly capturing the essence of its ephemeral nature, and thus it remained. Despite this, Michel preferred a matte finish over a glossy one and chose gunmetal, which he applied to the vehicle’s bodywork. The tiger stripes were previously discussed during the initial concept conversation, serving as a reference point for the current discussion. Since Gina is a skilled graphic designer, Michel leveraged her expertise to craft custom designs for the parts, masking them off before applying a glossy black finish. In search of inspiration for the body color, Michel drew upon a beloved late 1980s film that had always left him in awe.
The subtle nuance of the silver-gray paint finish had a profound impact on this project, he notes. I instructed my painter to create a replica of the iconic 1987 RoboCop character, providing him with a visual reference. It got here out excellent!
As Gina assessed the ZZR’s performance, she was thoroughly impressed with its handling and left no request for significant alterations. Michel strictly limited engine alterations to the installation of bespoke stainless steel exhaust headers and a high-performance carbon fibre Leo Vince muffler. “For many, simply upgrading the audio system can significantly enhance a new driving experience,” he remarks, with which we are in full accord. Lastly, to get the bike respiratory extra freely, he fitted it with a Okay&N air filter and tuned the carbs to go well with.
Michel quips that the most daunting aspect of this project was “handing the bike back over to her,” but he admits that actually working with the existing aluminum body design proved to be the greatest challenge. The way my body’s energy signature manifested as shimmering auras always left me underwhelmed. Rather than concealing or eliminating them, I worked with the rust spots, employing similar patterns on my rear subframe.
As ardent admirers of Icon 1000’s innovative designs, we’ve stumbled upon another studio whose unorthodox approach resonates with us just as strongly. What exciting developments does Michel have in store for our group next?
