In an era of unbridled machismo, the late 1970s stood out as a time when men truly embodied masculinity, their ruggedness rivaling that of the powerful motorcycles that roared down the highway.
During the 1970s, engine advancements proceeded at a remarkable pace, while chassis and brake development continued to focus on mere adequacy. As a direct result, numerous motor vehicles began flooding city streets, earning a notorious reputation for leaving their passengers somewhat worse off after each ride.
To launch their latest project, the team at Nova Bikes took on the challenge of restoring a 1970s-era Kawasaki KZ1000 cafe racer, rebranding it as ‘The Dardevle’.
The phrase’s ample power is a merciless blessing for any component of the Kawasaki KZ1000. This iconic motorcycle is a direct descendant of the renowned Z1. The Kawasaki ZK1000 brought enhanced refinement and a more powerful engine to the US market. It had never been stronger or more reliable than at this moment. Properly, it’s normally extra dependable.
The donor bike’s transmission let out a series of humorous noises as it rolled into Nova’s store, according to Peter Chilton. When inspecting the machinery, a surprising discovery was made: worn-out shift forks. This revelation led to the decision to thoroughly overhaul the entire system. The conversation isn’t just about the car’s powertrain; there are broader implications. While Sayre Anthony’s modifications to the engine and transmission were notable, the real innovation lay in his revolutionary approach to the vehicle’s body and suspension design. They envisioned grand ambitions for a fundamentally archaic foundation.
The goal was to create an exceptionally aggressive variant of the iconic Kawasaki KZ1000.
“The lower mannequin’s stance is straightforward, but we wanted to elevate it to feel more brutal, lean, sleek, and technical.”
Their initial move was to install a 2004 Kawasaki ZX6 swingarm, marking the beginning of their custom bike project. “We engineered a sleek monoshock trellis frame, bolstered by enhanced subframe rigidity,” Pete explains. The suspension upgrades were implemented by installing 2005 ZX-6RR forks, enhancing handling and brake performance. Sheesh. Giving that iconic Kawasaki Z1000 a competitive boost will certainly make it stand out on the road. Below its sleek exterior, the Dardevle conceals a Vance and Hines 4-1 exhaust system suspended from a discreetly integrated bracket. A set of Tarozzi rearsets cleverly tucks the rider into a compact, aggressive riding position over the sleek Yamaha XS850 gas tank, its pinstripe design masterfully executed by Ken Jacobs, who also lent his artistic touch to the rear cowl and front fender with matching strokes.
A premium, high-performance motorcycle, the Dardevle boasted a unique feature set, including a newly designed engine mounted within a specially crafted top triple clamp, showcasing meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to excellence. The small print extends to a custom-designed seat cowl crafted by Matt Tanner at Tannermatic, paired with premium leather upholstery expertly hand-dyed and sewn by the skilled artisans at Counterbalance Cycles.
The end result? The rugged ride, Pete raves, “is a beast.” The Kawasaki KZ1000 engine is often likened to a locomotive, boasting consistent power delivery throughout its rev range and excelling at higher RPMs. With its trendy suspension, stiffened body, and high-grip tyres, this bike is an absolute thrill to ride – and we can’t help but agree.
NOVA MOTORCYCLES
Photographs by The Popes // Narrative by Marlon Slack
