As motorcycle clubs like the Hells Angels rose to prominence in midcentury America, a similar phenomenon took place in Japan. In the land of the rising sun, the members of these flamboyant moto tribes are known as bōsōzoku, and in the height of their popularity in the early 1980s, there were supposedly more than 40,000 active bōsōzoku on the island of Japan. These “gangs” were primarily comprised of young riders who piloted illegally modified bikes. Connections to the criminal underworld were commonplace, and as the lifestyle declined in popularity, many ex-bōsōzoku reportedly joined the ranks of more notorious organizations like the Yakuza.
Recently, film directors James F. Coton and Masato Riesser released a mini-documentary entitled Motorcycle Boy, focused on bōsōzoku, and more specifically following Kaneoya Takayuki, one of the last of a dying breed, and the former leader of Tokyo’s infamous Specter Gang around the height of the movement’s popularity. The doc is less than ten minutes long, but still does a superb job of capturing and conveying what bōsōzoku is/was all about, archiving this fascinating culture before it disappears.
So after recently watching Motorcycle Boy, I was thrilled to come across a genuine bōsōzoku bike. This example started its life as a 1992 Kawasaki ZR400 — a model that never made its way to US shores. According to the seller, 400cc mounts were particularly popular amongst bōsōzoku.
Bōsōzoku machines possess an extremely idiosyncratic style, often sporting a number of distinct features, many of which can be found on this ’92 ZR example. The back of the two-wheeler sports a high-back seat positioned over an FRP rear cowl. Up front a cafe fairing has been installed, angled upwards in traditional Bōsōzoku fashion, and then adorned in a deep purple and white livery, while a set of cruiser-style handlebars complete the equation.
This ’92 Kawa doesn’t just look the part either. Despite having 40,300km (25,000 miles) on the odo, this 400 is said to be in great mechanical condition. A larger oil cooler was installed which is now regulated via an active digital monitor showing RPM and temperature. The Zephyr’s 49 horsepower, air-cooled, 399cc, four-stroke, DOHC, mill now screams through a custom, shortened four-into-one straight pipe.
This badass bōsōzoku bike is being sold by WolfReign Motors, a Bay Area dealership that specializes in selling JDM cars, bikes, and parts. WolfReign’s showroom is primarily lined with JDM tuner cars, but the outfit also sells some really cool JDM bikes, including a 1982 Honda Motocompo. Because of California’s strict registration restrictions on direct import vehicles, the seller says a CA title isn’t obtainable, though this shouldn’t be a problem outside the Golden State. The sale of the bike also includes all the necessary importation documentation (US customs clearance, Export certificate of title, EPA & NHTSA exemption paperwork, etc).
You can find this 1992 Kawasaki ZR400 Zephyr Bosozoku bike for sale here on Craigslist in Oakland, California with a price of $5,400.