Recognizing the potential in a donor motorcycle is a crucial skill for any custom builder. But it’s a lot harder when the bike in question has already been customized, particularly if the existing mods don’t harmonize with your vision.
The man behind the HB-Custom name, Holger Breuer, knows this all too well. When this 1978 Kawasaki Z1000 arrived at his workshop in Hussum, Germany, it had already been turned into a streetfighter with a hodgepodge of pricey parts. But it was a far cry from what Holger’s client wanted, both aesthetically and practically.
“It came with a 180-wide rear tire, a K&J swingarm, and high handlebars,” he explains. “It had a short rear with a Giuliari seat for one person, and a very loud Marving four-into-one exhaust system. I was given the assignment to build a classic two-seater suitable for everyday use, because the client likes to ride with his wife.”
Holger started by stripping the bike down to its frame and refitting the OEM swingarm. Next, he fine-tuned the Kawasaki’s stance by lowering the forks, retrofitting them with upgraded springs, and installing a pair of new YSS rear shocks. 18” laced wheels complete the running gear, fitted with classic Dunlop Roadmaster tires.
For the bodywork, Holger paired a Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 fuel tank with the Kawasaki’s original side covers. “The tank was very difficult to adapt,” he says. “Since there’s a fuel pump built into it, the entire tunnel had to be changed.”
A two-up saddle sits atop the kinked and looped subframe, wrapped in stylish automotive-inspired upholstery. Holger fabricated stubby front and rear fenders, finishing the latter off with a Motone taillight and a custom license plate bracket.
The idea was to keep things stylish and timeless, with a factory-like feel. To that end, Holger specced the bike with the original Kawasaki Z1000 headlight and brackets. The ignition barrel, which holds the headlight in place on the left-hand side, is from a BMW boxer—as is the classy fold-flat key.
Further back you’ll find a set of Gazzini handlebars, fitted with a Domino throttle, a Magura brake master cylinder, and a V-Trec clutch lever. The speedo, switches, grips, and bar-end turn signals are Motogadget parts.
Going deeper, Holger revised the Kawasaki Z1’s wiring with Axel Joost Elektronik parts. The engine benefits from a Dynatek ignition, a bank of Mikuni RS38 carbs, and K&N filters. A four-into-two exhaust from Shark adds an appropriate soundtrack—and a hint of vintage café racer style.
Finished in contrasting matte and polished metal, the Kawasaki’s 47-year-old four-cylinder motor looks brand new. Less obvious details include discreet LED rear turn signals and braided stainless steel brake lines.
The rest of the bike wears mostly black finishes, save for a few notable exceptions. The subtle gold striping and period-correct(ish) logos are pitch perfect, as is the chrome ring on the taillight that matches the headlight.
As far as no-nonsense classic roadsters go, we’d take H-B Custom’s Kawasaki Z1000, seven days a week.
HB-Custom | Instagram | Images by Emayat Wahab
