Dubai-based Cafe Rider have seen their fair share of cafe racers, scramblers, trackers, cruisers and bobbers. However, their latest build is somewhat offset from their earlier projects – it’s a litre-class sportbike that’s nearly 15 years old and it has been worked upon to carry an even more retro look that’s inspired by a much older (1989) and popular motorcycle. Excited, aren’t you? So, let’s have a closer look at Cafe Rider Dubai’s latest creation.
Christened as Project ZERO 28, it is a 2007 Suzuki GSXR 1000 K7 that has been worked upon by Fahim and his team at Cafe Rider Dubai to give a retro-classic appeal that looks very much similar to a 1989 GSXR Slingshot 1100.
The GSXR Slingshot 1100 used to be one of the most powerful, competent, and fastest motorcycles of its time. No wonder why it was a popular choice of the enthusiasts. It certainly looked like its younger 750 sibling but was much faster thanks to the air/oil-cooled in-line 4-cylinder engine that featured SACS (Suzuki Advanced Cooling System).
The team at Cafe Rider Dubai did not make any changes to the 2007 Suzuki GSXR 1000 K7’s engine which is a 998cc in-line 4-cylinder unit featuring TSCC (Twin Swirl Combustion Chamber). It has a DOHC setup, 16 valves and can make 185 hp and 117 Nm.
While the engine was left untouched, Cafe Rider Dubai did tweak the way the 2007 Suzuki GSXR 1000 K7 looked. So, to fit the German-sourced Ricambi Weiss fairings, these guys have fabricated new fairing mounts. The seat is custom made to match the overall retro styling of the motorcycle. One of the biggest changes is certainly the headlight setup. To give the Project ZERO 28 an exact front look of the 1989 GSXR Slingshot 1100, the headlight setup from an original Slingshot has been used. It is from Koito brand and is sourced from Japan. And it certainly completes the retro-classic aesthetic. Isn’t she a heart-throb?
Another minor touch that has helped the Cafe Rider Dubai team in creating this project is the set of Posh turn signals that have also been sourced from the Land of the Rising Sun. the old fashioned rearview mirrors add to the overall look of the motorcycle. They are from Boonstra Parts, Netherlands. And there is also a pair of Yoshimura exhaust pipes sourced from the US, connected to custom-made bend pipes, for a sweet exhaust note.
The Project ZERO 28 has been created by Cafe Rider Dubai and it is owned by Nipun Benny. Kudos to him for having such a beautiful taste that has led to the birth of this unique and eye-catching custom motorcycle. He has named it the Black Falcon.
