The mad scientists at ICON Motosports spend their days concocting bike gear that runs the gamut from stealthy to completely outrageous. And once they’re not busy with that, they’re arduous at work of their Portland storage constructing wild customized bikes to match.
Meet Quarterflash: an 8-bit dream wrapped in a flurry of neon hues, named after a band that got here out of Icon’s hometown within the 80s. Slightly outlandish and intensely saucy, it’s simply the form of customized construct that we’d anticipate from Portland’s most interesting.
And for those who’re considering that this machine sits a bit of low for a full-faired sportbike, you’re not unsuitable. That’s as a result of Quarterflash didn’t begin its life as some four-cylinder screamer, however relatively as a mild-mannered Kawasaki Z125.
If you happen to don’t know the Z125, it’s just about Kawasaki’s reply to the Honda Grom; pint-sized and able to play. In inventory type, the Z125 cranks out 9.5 hp and weighs simply 225 lbs. However Quarterflash has spent an inordinate period of time within the health club, to assist unleash its full potential.
The Tennessee-based small-bore components specialist, MNNTHBX, had one thing to do with it. They equipped a 155 cc big-bore package with an upgraded crank, plus their MTake consumption (consider it as a ‘massive breather’ for a Grom).
ICON additionally slapped on a full Yoshimura exhaust system, then put in a Dynojet Energy Commander and AutoTune package. With a bit of fettling, Quarterflash now scores excessive on each bark and chew.
ICON holds agency to the mantra that it’s best to by no means skip leg day, so that they went to city on the Kawasaki’s working gear too. There’s a MNNTHBX swingarm extender and decreasing hyperlink out again, hooked as much as a Nitron shock with a distant reservoir. The inventory 12” hoops are shod with new Avon rubber, with EBC brake pads including additional stopping energy.
However the job was solely half carried out. Realizing that Quarterflash wanted a physique package to match its ferocity, the staff sourced a sportbike fairing from Airtech Streamlining.
Modeled on the long-lasting Yamaha OW-01, which is considerably bigger than the Z125, the fairing was gently tailor-made to suit. ICON sculpted a brand new one-piece tank cowl and tail part from fiberglass, ending issues off with a racing foam seat pad and a number of 3D-printed particulars.
The brand new bodywork went an extended technique to convert Quarterflash from pit-bike to pocket-sized retro superbike. All that was lacking was an assortment of acceptable accoutrements.
ICON added new rear-set foot controls decrease down, with contemporary clip-ons and grips within the cockpit. The Z125 runs with Magura brake and hydraulic clutch grasp cylinders, with the reservoirs mounted to a CNC-machined bracket that sits the place handlebar risers usually would. The OEM Kawasaki sprint tucks neatly behind Quarterflash’s tinted windscreen.
After which there’s that retina-searing livery. Slathered in graphics that jumped straight out of an 80s arcade recreation, Quarterflash unapologetically pays tribute to Icon’s newest helmet and jacket designs.
Identical to the music, hairstyles and tracksuits of the 80s, Quarterflash isn’t for everybody. But when it speaks to you, we invite you to comb your mullet, roll up the sleeves of your linen jacket, pop 1 / 4 within the machine and maintain on tight.
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