The Bondi Sentinel W800

The ambition for this Kawasaki W800 was simple: dial down the stock noise, while creating something that was subtly custom, runs clean, and wouldn’t look wildly out of place doing the sacred scoot down to Bondi for an overpriced long black.

The W800 Black Edition provided a disciplined canvas. Its factory-stealth wheels and engine casings offered a restrained foundation, allowing new, classic accents to assert themselves with a certain precision. The exhaust system was reimagined in straight stainless steel, meticulously tracing the frame’s original lines. Topped with a timeless pee-shooter muffler, it produces a note that is clean and throaty, and in our opinion, far more assertive than stock, while remaining courteous to the beachfront dawn patrols.

Japanese short stainless fenders provide measured coverage while proudly displaying the classic tyre tread. Out back, simplicity wins: a Lucas taillight and Purpose Built Moto blinkers give a subtle nod to custom lore, proving yet again that small things can make a disproportionate fuss (in the best way possible). 

The cockpit was honed for style and comfort. The OEM clocks were preserved, a quiet nod to the bike’s heritage, while slightly taller, wider chromed handlebars offer a commanding ride position and a touch of tradition. The seat, retrimmed in classic black vinyl with a tuck-and-roll finish, unites said comfort and timeless design.

Colour Fuel’s Kawasaki Racing Green tank, set against Pearl White side panels, creates a refined, classical contrast with the Black Edition’s untouched foundation. Each element, measured and intentional, allows the bike to speak without shouting. The outcome? A masterclass in subtraction and precision. By stripping away the unnecessary and elevating the essential, the W800 has been transformed into the Bondi Sentinel: a clean, classic custom that looks faster than it is, sounds more compelling than one might expect, and glides through beachside streets with a kind of quiet confidence usually reserved for locals who somehow always find parking.

Photos by Cameron Rogers.