Fierce, fast and ready to brawl…
In the early 2000s, Kawasaki introduced a 30th anniversary remake of the mighty Zed. The modern Z1000 has factory streetfighter styling and a re-tuned version of the ZX-9R engine, boasting more low-end torque and 125-140 horsepower depending on the model year. While the hooligan-happy machine is hard to beat in the grins-per-mile category, the modern Z1000 has never been the handsomest bike unless you’re into the origami / Transformer style so popular these days.
Enter the husband/wife crew behind Droog Moto, builders of urban brawlers and post-apocalyptic sleds that would look just right blasting across the dust-strewn wastelands of a Mad Max film. The pair tore down this 953cc machine to the bare skeleton, then built it back in their signature look. Below, we get the full story on this “Urban Fighter.”
Kawasaki Z1000 Scrambler / Fighter: In the Builder’s Words
The Kawasaki Z1000 has always been a favorite of ours, 953cc of pure intensity. We set out to turn this beast into an Urban Fighter. DM-014 is our latest monster to break out of the Droog Moto HQ. It is fierce, fast and ready to brawl. When building and equipping bikes to take over a modern apocalypse, you want a vehicle that has the means to get you where you need to travel.
The DM-014 was stripped of the day to day coverings. The burnt orange and white plastics made their way into a discard pile and the build began. We removed the stock gas tank and generic subframe and fabricated a new fuel cell and subframe to give the bike it’s aggressive appeal. The fuel cell is handmade and has the fuel pump unit built into it.
The subframe was built to hold the electronics and keep the modern lines flowing. Since a new subframe was put in place we set the throttle bodies up with pod filters to keep the center opened up. A new seat was made and put in place to go along with the tank and visual appearance.
New aluminum fully adjustable rear sets were installed for rider comfort and to open up more room. DM-014 was also equipped with our bulletproof steel tracker plate and twin slit cut LED lights. LED turn signals were integrated into the front triple clamp.
The exhaust system was reworked and was paired up with a sleek dual exit muffler. New front forks were slipped in to match up with the tracker plate. Aluminum wheel inserts were hand cut and set into the wheels, which were then wrapped in the infamous Continental TKC80 tire. They are stout, chunky and great all purpose tires.
The bulky stock speedo was removed and a sleek digital one was matched up with the 1 1/8” handlebars and shorty levers. An aluminum radiator was put in place to keep the modern aesthetic moving.
The DM-014 Urban Fighter is built from one big bike. You get a machine that is built with torque and power for days, perfect for blasting across unknown terrain and bringing your enemies down. This monster is up for grabs but don’t hold out, they don’t stick around too long!
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- Facebook: @droogmoto
- Instagram: @droogmoto
- Web: DroogMoto.com
….chunky monkeee……………