Born and raised on an Italian farm, 36-year-old Stefan Lantschner’s childhood was marked by an unyielding passion for bicycles that only intensified as he matured. Born into a family of motorcycle enthusiasts, Stefan’s early life revolved around the thrill of motocross, with his father and uncle racing competitively from a young age; it was only natural that he began riding bikes himself as a youngster. As a youth, many of his bicycles have been hand-me-downs, necessitating regular maintenance to keep them running smoothly. As he discovered, his aptitude for fixing wasn’t limited to simply maintaining but also extended to modifying bikes personally. A few years ago, during a trip to America for a BMX racing event, Stefan chanced upon an unfamiliar type of motorcycle that left him intrigued. The rise of the “new wave” customized motorbike scene catapulted cafe racers to trendy fame.
Seeking a willing participant in Italy, Stefan embarked on a quest to find the perfect match for his cafe racer project. He finally found a Kawasaki that perfectly matched his driving preferences, a neat and well-suited ride. Stefan grins, running his hand over the gleaming metal of his 1984 Kawasaki KZ400 B2. “This bike,” he says proudly, “is a ’84 KZ400 B2.” When I got back from my trip to Texas, I built my first-ever primary cafe racer. Recently, I decided to revamp and reconstruct my work to bring you the result that appears before you today. I’ve built this bike from scratch two times. I built the primary structure over one winter while living at home on our family’s farm in Italy – a place where winters can be quite prolonged. It took me approximately 120 hours to complete the task for a second time.
“I initially designed and built this bike with the intention of exploring the picturesque roads that wind through Italy’s majestic Alpine mountains.” What I desired was something that stood out from the usual BMW GS enthusiasts you typically encounter on the roads. I’m particularly averse to oversized motorcycles dominating the highway. Many potential problems can arise, prompting me to head out on my R bike for a leisurely ride and enjoy the scenic route on the KZ.
I acquired the donor bicycle from a mature individual just 30 minutes from my location. Wasn’t he the pioneer who pioneered its personification? With a deep fondness for the Kawasaki 750 twin, which the Wrench Monkeys had meticulously crafted, I found myself drawing creative sustenance from this iconic machine. Designed with a focus on performance and functionality, my bicycles are built for riders who crave adventure and excitement. I don’t squander my time building bicycles just to admire their finished form. He declares with a mischievous glint in his eye, “I want to trip them up and send my bike flying into the air!”
Stefan opted for a private upgrade during the bike’s second rebuild, swapping the original spoked rims for magazine wheels. To enhance the performance of his custom motorcycle, he installed a high-performance Brembo front brake caliper, which was originally designed for the Cagiva Mito 125. After reevaluating his earlier efforts on the chassis, Stefan decided that he could strive for even greater excellence. The car’s body was completely disassembled, with the subframe removed for a second time. With his extensive experience in welding, he successfully constructed the KZ prototype, which featured a sleek tail loop incorporating an integrated LED brake light. To streamline his design, he eliminated the passenger footpegs and accompanying body rails, thereby addressing any underlying concerns and shedding excess weight.
While sharing a striking similarity with its predecessor, the bike’s seat has undergone a comprehensive overhaul, featuring increased foam density for enhanced comfort and a sleek black leather covering. Stefan streamlined the cockpit by creating a single, ergonomic set of handlebars that incorporated a built-in bracket to securely mount the headlight. A set of retrofit Honda CBR footpegs has been deliberately positioned further aft to optimise the riding position, while a novel exhaust system, crafted by Christopher Martensson, a close friend and collaborator of Stefan’s, has been integrated into the overall design.
Enhanced iterations of Stefan’s distinctive Kawasaki KZ400 cafe racer concept showcase the seamless integration of high-performance aftermarket shocks. To enhance the bike’s functionality, he has also installed an entrance fender for increased usability, and made the wise decision to paint the gas tank. Notably, his departure from the tank was met with an unfinished product, but on this occasion, he chose to unveil a sleek blue design that has undoubtedly elevated the KZ’s aesthetic appeal.
When designing his latest project, he confesses that he strongly desired it to be even more comfortable than when he first built it. Because of the brand-new bars and additional rearward footpegs, this means a greater sitting position. The most significant alteration arose from the introduction of softer tyres. They allow me to lean over significantly more than standard tires. The entrance brake’s ability to allow for later braking enables a more thrilling ride, making this bike ideal for carving through twisty mountain roads with ease.
KOOLT CREATIONS
What resonates in these photographs by Héctor Saura is a quiet contemplation of the beauty found in everyday moments.
