A single front rotor, wide-normous rear tire and dizzying paint detail are common to custom bikes but less than ideal for those interested in exercise. When Rickey Gadson, factory Kawasaki rider and AMA drag legend, came to Steve Kehler at Tricked Out Custom Cycles with a build request, form had to match function. The job was simple: make a 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 look cool in seven days. Simplicity stopped at the request, as aftermarket parts for Team Green’s newly clothed sportster didn’t exist.
TOCC turned to elder Ninjas for answers. Parts designed for sibling models made their way over to the soon-to-be spliced and diced all-in-one. After making the proper adjustments, TOCC bolted-on levers made for a ZX-10R, a full Brock’s exhaust built for a Z1000, ZX-14 block-offs and LRC ZX-6R rearsets.
The facelift began by removing the factory riser bars and swapping them for Woodcraft clip-ons. For clearance purposes, a ZX-6R front brake master cylinder replaced the OEM setup. Stylish race mods continued to the rear as Steve removed the grab bars and molded a smooth undertail to compliment the stealth-braced Roaring Toyz 240 swingarm kit.
A lowered stance, remapped ECU, dumping the secondary throttle plates, custom airbox and Continental Attack rubber kept things moving forward the way Rickey likes it…fast. This newest Ninja may not come out the door turning heads but it sure cleans up nicely.
2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000
Front end: Woodcraft clip-ons, 03-04 ZX-6R brake master cylinder, CRG Roll-A-Click brake lever, Vortex clutch lever, PM wheel, Roaring Toyz brake lines, 2” lowering kit, Continental Attack tire
Rear end: Roaring Toyz 240 swingarm kit, PM wheel, Continental Attack tire, EK chain, Vortex sprockets, custom subframe, Roaring Toyz lowering link and brake line
Motor: Brock’s full exhaust, removed secondary throttle plates, PC3, custom airbox, K&N filter
Paint: TOCC
Bodywork: TOCC
Accessories: LRC rearsets, smoked lenses, powdercoated components and block-offs, Star Custom Seats carbon/leather seat, custom bar ends and grips
Owner: Rickey Gadson
Builder: Steve Kehler at Tricked Out Custom Cycles (trickedoutcycles.com)