Launched in 2001 as the successor to the ZRX1100, the Kawasaki ZRX1200R was inspired by the KZ1000R ridden by legendary racer Eddie Lawson. Underneath its nostalgic exterior, the ZRX1200R was a modern powerhouse, equipped with a 1,165cc inline-four engine that delivered strong low-end torque and impressive mid-range power. The ZRX1200R stayed in production until 2005, during which time it developed a cult following among riders. Today, the ZRX1200R remains a favorite among custom builders and vintage motorcycle enthusiasts.
This modified 2001 Kawasaki ZRX1200R by Alpha Moto was built for Dan Cardenas, who at the time, was a customer and is now one of Alpha Moto’s business partners. Dan tasked the Alpha team with transforming into a whole other beast and they delivered.
“He had a vision of something far more exhilarating,” says CMRA Road Racer and Alpha Moto founder, Carlos Lopez. “Dan wanted a race-inspired build that paid homage to the 1980s AMA Superbikes—especially the legendary Honda CB750 race bikes.”
It may not seem like the most logical transformation, turning a race-inspired Kawasaki into a Honda racer homage, but Carlos prides himself on having an ‘outside the box’ approach to building bikes. So the green, white, and purple livery of this ZRX1200R is gone, along with the bulky muscle bike body in favor of a more streamlined, spartan appearance and a laundry list of purposeful upgrades.
The transformation began with a new tail and seat styled after the CB750F ridden by “Fast Freddie” Spencer in the early eighties. Handcrafted from fiberglass, the tail unit hosts a rich red Alcantara and black diamond stitch seat by Bexar Custom Upholstery. Similar to Spencer’s Honda, the svelte tail unit features a duck bill kick at the rear but Carlos has opted for a pair of integrated round LED tail lights rather than a large boxy unit. The fuel tank is the original ZRX1200R unit but it’s been upgraded with a Pingel Power-Flo fuel valve. And the front end has taken on a naked appearance with the removal of the bikini fairing and the move to a round headlight as opposed to the ZRX rectangular version.
To elevate the bike’s handling, the front end has been swapped out for a setup from a ’94 ZX7R, while new brake and clutch masters were borrowed from a ZX10R paired with stainless steel brake lines and performance rotors. The finishing touch on the controls comes in the form of PSR levers, and a DOMINO throttle. At the rear, the suspension upgrades continue with Ohlins shocks while black Sato Racing rear sets provide style and substance.
Feeding the hefty 1165cc transverse four powering this beast is a quartet of FCR39 KEIHIN carbs. The rest of the 120hp engine remains essentially stock, but it received a thorough service and facelift before being dropped back in the frame. Rounding out the power upgrades is a Vandemon muffler which hangs from a titanium bracket.
Speaking of titanium, it was the metal of choice when creating many of the custom parts for this project. It’s been used to fabricate the front fender, and the brackets holding it in place. The new LED headlight from Cognito Moto is also suspended by titanium brackets and this ZRX now sits on a titanium kickstand. For other parts where titanium didn’t suit the purpose, such as the coolant reservoir tank, top triple clamp, and the speedo bracket, Alpha’s opted for aluminum.
To ensure hassle-free operation for years to come, the electronics are now powered by a Motogadget M-unit Blue that’s been paired with a Motogadget Motoscope Classic Speedometer. The use of an Antigravity battery sheds a few pounds and has been cleverly tucked underneath the fuel tank, leaving the rear of the frame clutter-free. Custom 17-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli Diablo slicks round out the changes, but rest assured they’ll be swapped out for a more practical tread in the future.
This ZRX1200R, already a thrill to ride in its stock form, has been transformed into a performance powerhouse. The project took about a year of on-and-off work, with the fiberglass tail seat and titanium work presenting the biggest challenges. But the result was worth it and Dan was clearly impressed with the result seeing as he’s since joined the Alpha family.
Photography by Jason Farias
