No need for leathers here
What do you do when your leathers don’t fit you any more, and you've lost the urge to hurtle between the hedgerows on two wheels?
Well if you’re PH reader Ben Mason you convert your old bike into a hardcore four-wheeler.
Not one to give up the thrill of years of biking, Ben, a professional engineer, decided to create his own transport for what he calls ‘a geriatric biker’.
Named the ZZimeR1100 as a homage to the Kawasaki Ninja ZZR1100 C3 that donated its parts, Ben's new machine uses a derestricted 147bhp engine bolted to a lightweight frame for a total weight of under 500kg.
Despite being down on power compared to an Ariel Atom or Caterham Superlight, the Ninja did hold the title of ‘World’s Fastest Production Bike’ with a top speed of 176mph.
However, Ben reckons his garden shed homage to the Kawasaki Ninja is the ideal answer to ‘green motoring’ thanks to the ZZimmeR’s small economical engine and extensive use of recycled parts.
Despite being taxed and road legal, you’re unlikely to see the ZZimmeR on a road near you. Ben lives in Cyprus, where he informs us the Zimmer name is completely lost on the locals.
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