In late 2002, Kawasaki made an unusual move with their 600-class sportbike, the ZX-6R. They increased the engine capacity to 636cc for the mass production model, then offered a limited production 599cc ZX-6RR for displacement-restricted racing classes. The street-oriented model became the Kawasaki ZX-6R 636, often known as the ZX636 or simply the 636. With ram air, the bike made around 123 horsepower at the crank, at 13,000 rpm — a middleweight rocket ship.
Enter Danny Comer of London’s Danners Automotive. We featured two of Danny’s builds last year, including his Yamaha RD350 scrambler and KTM 625 SMC — both built to race at the Malle Mile. Now Danny is back with this Kawasaki 636 stunt bike, featuring a one-off steel tube frame and lots of goodies to protect the bike while he learns to stunt ride.
He found the bike in rough shape in Dublin, already sporting the custom frame. He drove from London to Liverpool, then took the ferry over to pick up the bike. Every part of this 636 has since been customized. Danny details the modifications below, but we’re especially fond of the crash and radiator cages, as well as the welded-lip stunt tank — which doubles as a seat, of course! He calls the bike “The Beater,” but the trick paintwork and custom fabrication say anything but.
Below, we catch Danny with his front wheel on the ground long enough to give us the full story on the build.
Kawasaki ZX-6R Stunt Bike: Builder Interview
• What’s the make, model, and year of the bike?
Kawasaki ZX-6R 636 B1H, 2003.
• Why was this bike built?
Was built to learn to stunt ride on. I purchased a really rough one that had the steel frame already. Found it for sale in Dublin, Ireland. I’m in London but drove to Liverpool and got on a ferry over!
• What was the design concept and what influenced the build?
No real design concept behind it — I really liked the look of the US-style stunt bikes. Wanted it to look as trick as I could and make the tank a big feature.
• What custom work was done to the bike?
Everything, haha. The frame is a one-off steel tube one using the original rear alloy part. I made the crash cage, made the tank and seats. It has R1 calipers on front, three calipers on a bracket on the rear, a huge sprocket, little exhaust, oversized rad and a radiator cage, bungs on the axles. Big fat bars and clamps.
• Does the bike have a nickname?
No nickname but I called it “The Beater.”
• How would you classify this bike?
I’d call it a custom stunt bike.
• Was there anything done during this build that you are particularly proud of?
The tank is the part I’m most proud of. Wanted to ale one for years after watching stunters whilst growing up. Loved the seats they made in tanks and been a fan of the welded lip ones for a long time. The paint is also pretty cool!
