MID-KNIGHT: Tokyo Z-1 custom shop

[Kamakura Kid]

MID KNIGHT's owner, Kaneko-san, and I go back about 15 years. We used to hang out with the the guys from a Tokyo based Harley Club. Neither of us were patched in, though.

The shop is only about 20 miles away from my house as the crow flys, but actually getting there via roads is difficult. Took me three and a half hours to get home last night! All the major roads were choked with traffic, so I got home using side roads so narrow I had to fold my door mirrors in to clear oncoming traffic.

Kaneko-san himself with your humble scribe.

This is a Ninja he was working on. See the robust side brace?

It actually incorporates a ram air system.

Other side of the bike, which features a heavy duty cooling system.

Kaneko-san hand cut the flames on a band saw.

Also hand tooled the ribs on the thermostat housing.

Likewise hand detailed the instrument panel.

The start of a Z-1 based project. The FRP seat/tailpiece is a MID KNIGHT original.

While the short version of Mid Knight's motto is "Built For Speed" this is the longer one.

 

[Kamakura Kid]

The proud owner of a MID KNIGHT customized Z-1.

Note the modified intake manifold, upturned to keep the fuel bowls from starving while the owner pops a long distance wheelie.

Modified oil system to ensure the heads receive cooler oil.

Braced swingarm since the owner spends so much time on the back wheel alone. Ignore the sticker on the megaphone, the 4/1 is actually a MAC, although MID KNIGHT does produce its own 4/1 systems.

MID KNIGHT crafted vented sidecovers, the modified emblems are also MID KNIGHT originals.

And his trademark timing covers. This is an early sand cast version he had lying around the shop, his current ones use a better manufacturing process. He told me what it was, but I forgot.

 

[KTMphil]

KK ---Wonderful to find real craftsman like that, a real shame we can't find them here in Thailand, fascinating read, thank you.

 

[Steve Canyon]

Old school....love it.