Some time ago we told you about the Bosozoku culture, a Japanese urban tribe that had its beginnings in the 1950s, and little by little it has been gaining weight in popular culture. One of the most characteristic features of this tribe was the uniqueness of their motorcycles, with a peculiar way of preparing them using out-of-place fairings, disproportionate rear seats and high handlebars.
But the Bosozoku were also in trouble. The Yakuza had been using them, so seeing one of their members appear with their peculiar outfits and thundering motorcycles caused respect and fear. Fortunately, this criminal aspect is part of the past and although there are Bosozoku who remain on the other side of the law, it is anecdotal.
Even so, his peculiar style not only means that it has not gone unnoticed but, in addition, he has been the protagonist of different series, films, anime, manga… and they are part of Japanese popular culture and since Japan is a country that greatly attracts Europeans it was only a matter of time before it arrived here.
Now that we have Japanese restaurants everywhere and sushi and nigiris are almost religion for many, it was a matter of time before someone passionate about Japan imported the aesthetics of the Bosozoku. And the truth is that the final finish is worthy of the original preparations.
Tofu Fujiwara is behind the first Spanish Bosozoku
In this case we are looking at a Kawasaki GPZ 400 that has been created in Spain by the content creator Tofu Fujiwara, the nom de guerre behind a person passionate about Japanese culture and, especially, the world of motors. What we affectionately call in the editorial office a “Talijapo”.
Well, Tofu’s Kawasaki GPZ 400 has become, at least publicly, the first Bosozoku motorcycle in our country that also circulates legally. And so much modification in Spain is the greatest challenge beyond the time and economic investment behind a preparation of this style.
A preparation that is mainly aesthetic with the fairing, the stickers, a pristine state of the paint and bodywork, and an exhaust characteristic of these motorcycles. And yes, making noise was also part of Bosozoku culture.
In fact, in the video Tofu even shows us the homologation papers for the exhaust that has a quick system to convert it into a free exhaust. And the Bosozoku made “music” with their motorcycles, which requires an accelerator that returns quickly, a real art.
In short, and as we can see in the video, a motorcycle that is full of nods and details to this very peculiar culture that was born from rebellion, but that is already a classic.
