Only 20% of the base aluminum material is actually used in the final product!? A commitment to billet parts that makes an ordinary metal shine brilliantly!

This time, the focus is on billet parts! Billet parts are machined from a block of aluminum, but it never occurred to me that as much as 80% of the material goes to waste. However, this is proof of the uncompromising pursuit of function and design.

Billet parts were essential for building a demo bike

I tried to lift a huge block of aluminum with one hand, but that wasn't happening. This block was the material used to make a right side clutch cover for the Kawasaki ZRX1100 & 1200 and the GPZ900R series. It was right after I had lifted the finished product, so the difference between the two might have been what was so surprising.

The clutch cover was made by setting this aluminum block on a machining center and cutting it with various different blades from various directions. Among K-FACTORY's many billet parts, this clutch cover has the most involved manufacturing process, and as many as 25 different blades are used in its production.

The completed clutch cover is lightweight at 1.2kg, and is both rigid and beautiful. It's as if a new life sprouts out by shaving off the excess of this lifeless aluminum mass, and it shines ever brightly with each passing moment.

"Originally, our company was mainly an exhaust manufacturer, but when we wanted to make a complete bike for demonstration purposes, we needed billet parts. For a stock motorcycle straight from the factory, there are some parts that the original manufacturer can't spend extra cost on, so by customizing those parts we want people to experience excitement and a slight sense of superiority," says Hiroshi Kuwahara, president of K-FACTORY.

K-FACTORY's billet parts are also superbly designed, valuing a slightly shiny look over a machine-like racer look, and skillfully combining cut lines and flat surfaces. Many fans love this unique texture that is not just functional beauty. They also offer a wide range of parts that can be used as accents, such as master cylinder caps, in addition to the big parts introduced here. Why not indulge in a little sense of superiority with their billet parts that can be used to reflect your own personal style.

Where 80% of the material is cut off to achieve rigidity, texture, and light weight

Nobuhiko Hirose, K-FACTORY's senior managing director, oversees the billet parts division, which began manufacturing billet aluminum parts in 2005. Mr. Hirose, who had never even touched a computer before, now operates several machines at will.

Let's take a look at the process of making billet aluminum parts, using the clutch cover as an example.

K-FACTORY's billet aluminum parts include a variety of other products!

Triple Tree Type 2

Compatibility: ZRX1100, 1200, DAEG
Price: 154,000 JPY
(For reference: Stock offset ZRX1100: 30mm / ZRX1200: 28mm / ZRX DAEG: 30mm)

The offset of the steering stem can be changed to 28mm or 32mm by using an optional collar. Black and silver anodizing are also available.

Front Sprocket Cover

Compatibility: ZRX1200 DAEG
Price: 39,600 JPY

It is both lightweight and beautiful, and can be used with the clutch release introduced below. K-FACTORY offers a lineup of sprocket covers for various models.

Clutch Release K Type

Compatibility: GPZ900R, ZRX1100, ZRX1200, ZX-14R, ZZR1200, ZZR1400
Price: 28,600 JPY

This item makes clutch operation lighter by increasing the diameter of the clutch release piston. The effect can be felt even with the stock master cylinder.

Pulse Cover TYPE 2

Compatibility: GPZ900R, ZRX1200 series
Price: 30,800 - 33,000 JPY

The bottom of the cover can be changed to a DURACON slider. You can choose from polished or black/silver anodized aluminum.

Riding Step

Compatibility: GPZ900R
Price: 72,600 JPY

This step kit for the GPZ900R allows you to choose your favorite step bar position from 4 positions (Up 20mm/Back 10mm, Up 20mm/Back 20mm, Up 30mm/Back 10mm, Up 30mm/Back 20mm). The base plate of the stock step has been completely revised, and the rigidity of the pivot portion has been greatly improved. Available in gold or black anodized aluminum.

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