Build a Top Gun Maverick motorcycle for less than $3000 

Ok Im the biggest TOP GUN fan ever!!!!!And this was one of my life goals! And I love It that you did it.You are the best youtuber to do it

I had one of those, tons of fun! Did a DIY vinyl wrap aswell, Ended up traded it for an Interceptor.. Love the affordable build idea!

What a great way to start my Saturday. The variety, depth and relatable way you purvey the information you put out is fantastic, 🚫🐂💩. It's what keeps me watching. Thanks man.

Love the idea for this build. Thank you for the great content, Casey!

I bought one brand new in 1984 and at the time it was the first motorcycle to do 150mph out of the crate, I had two more over the years and then a few years ago I bought a wreck and fully restored it, sold it and am now in the process of building my latest 900r with some subtle differences.

We love it Casey! Looking forward to the build.

Thanks for showing everyone how to. Love the channel. Am so looking foward to the build. Awesome.

I love 80s Japanese bikes. My current bike is a 82 CB750SC Nighthawk with updates for safety of course.

Things like this and your way of thinking are why I like yah Casey.

Thanks, Casey for your perfect timing on starting this particular project. While my Honda VR 700C ain't in the same ballpark as your Ninja, I'm sure there will be a whole bunch of similar repairs or upgrades that I plan to do that you may do along the way. I'm looking forward to the next episode. Enjoy your weekend, my friend.

They lowered the bike cuz cruise is short and also makes its nose more flush with front tire

This is great! I've got my motorcycle license here in Cali but have been holding off on buying a bike as I've got my 88 MR2 "project"/daily while in school but I've always loved the old ninjas I've seen alot of similiar ninja 250s of the same era for around a grand and under they seem pretty solid and I've got a good amount of time to work on it it will be cool seeing this build! Love that style of ninja.

Great video and great idea Casey, thank you!

Thank you! Tired of the 6 figure builds in perfect fake garages. Doesnt inspire just depresses. Cool bike!

Great guys there. I’ve been in that shop many times. Glad to see they are still around.

I'm totally of the same mind as you on this one, Casey. There's so much expensive stuff on RU-vid that I see a lot of guys comment that they'd love to do something like that, "but". So... Late last winter I started my channel (kind of on lark) and shortly after I bought a POS 4x4 S10 Blazer with the goal of it being a serviceable, safe to drive, winter beater with the budget target of under $1000, all in. I'm about to pull it back into the shop (hopefully next weekend) to be driving it this winter before ice season really starts. Lots of issues have effected my productivity in the last few months, but I'm excited to get back to it soon. So... $1000 4x4 challenge (to myself anyhow) is something _anyone_ can swing, even if I pooch the budget by double. Plus, once the beater fleet is fully established, I can move on to more fun things in the future! Anyhow. This is a really cool bike build and I'm looking forward to following along with it!

Noticed the old Yamaha RD 400 in original condition in the bike shop. Nice bike, but nerfed compared to the earlier RD 350.

Nice bike if you ask me. I don't know much about bikes... Enjoy your videos very enlightening and relaxing to listen to someone that know some for a change.

Oh man, my first motorcycle was an 84 GPz900 that I bought for 1500 bucks back in 2003. I know almost every nut and bolt on those things backwards. I had it for a while until it actually got stolen outside of my apartment and then turned up a year or so later as an impounded vehicle when it was recovered in a drug bust. But it was TRASHED. So I handed over the title for scrap.

Great find! I look forward to seeing the build. There are a couple of articles out there on the movie bike. Apparently Kawasaki didn’t want to give the studio the bike for free, so that’s why the studio painted it. When they got the bike it was identical to yours and the studio painted it in the black and red scheme. In the process they removed all of the factory badges and stickers so as to not advertise for Kawasaki in any way, even though everyone knew it was a GPz900R. Hopefully that helps. I believe there is an article out there somewhere that even has pics of the factory build. If I run across it I will send it your way. Looking forward to seeing the progress on that awesome icon :)

I have the need... *THE NEED FOR SPEED*

Did you get a new camera? The video quality look amazing today! Keep up the great work Casey.

This is going to be awesome 🙌 I may get one and build alongside!! And then take it to top gun 2!!!

Exactly my last motorbike - except mine was blue. Best bike I ever had and the most reliable too. Unless I left the (aftermarket) hand-grip warmers on, flattened the battery and had to bump-start it - not easy given the low, angled handlebars!

Nice build mate we are doing one in the workshop at the moment although going right through the motor and gearbox.

I've visited the Top Gun house in Oceanside. Sad to see its current state, but the city is desperately trying to save it. A resort bought the land, and its the only house on the block. It's boarded up and fenced in. I hope they can build it into the resort and use it as a bar or a restaurant or a museum and maybe renovate it to look like it did in the movie.

Casey, I love the concept, but man that 84 is in super clean condition! As an 80's kid it breaks my heart to think of messing up the paint...what about a wrap instead?

After cleaning, try a test plastic trim piece with a heat-gun. Not a very high setting, but an even heat without hotspotting can bring back the look without painting it. Then I'd hit it with a couple light coats of a clear UV protectant.

You should cerracote the exhaust for that factory finish look

I had a 1984 Ninja 900, it was a great bike.

This will be fun to follow!

Love the idea for an affordable build Casey! Might I say, Genius idea! Keep them coming! Maybe next one would be that black c3 vette race car you have in the back lifted (visible in other videos) ... Also what is the story of it? Please elaborate! 😃

Dude, thank you for this adventure. I’m definitely feeling the bug to get an older bike and get back to it. Also, I was going through some old photos from the South Pacific and found a Kawasaki 500 I flew. They were a licensed Hughes manufacturer for the Asian market. Kowabunga Kawasaki!

Out of curiosity, I just looked on eBay for those stickers and they're still there, for just £20 with free shipping too from Bulgaria!

For some reason I thought that your intro is an ad and got really confused by the missing timer/skip button. Love the bike!

I had that bike back in '87, same colour too. I was only 20 years old, it was pretty cool.

I don’t ride, nor do I really want to get into it, but I’m pretty excited for this build

Funny how around the same time multiple videos mentioning this bike come out and my recommendations are filled with with all the GPZ900 videos!

My first motorcycle was a 2006 ninja 250r. Such a good time 💚🇺🇸🏁

Finally! I've thought about doing that build for a long time! Do you have the link for the stickers? Trying to find them for my future build!

I had an 85 GPz 750 that I bought in 1988 when I was in the Air Force. My first sport bike (not at all inspired by the squiddies in Top Gun). ;) All the GPz 750-1000cc from that era were pretty similar, though some had half fairings and are fast enough to get you into trouble, but not rocket ships like the new ones. Really good novice bikes, and you don't see too many of them today. Cooler than a new superbike (imo) and maybe a bit less likely to get you killed or arrested if you have a disconnect between the gray matter and your right hand. Your bike looks to be in pretty good shape, esp for something 30 years old. I think the only the only other color options the 900 came in (at that time) was all black, all red, or reversed of yours. Just remember, AGATT! (all gear all the time, unlike Maverick)

Top Gun was released in 1986. I only know that because when I was a kid I used to watch that movie religiously. Still love it.

Try the heat gun trick on faded motorcycle plastic (NOT painted bodywork), even black plastics. It's like magic! Careful, but you're actually heating to the point of re-melting the surface and it gets glossy again.

Very cool. Love it. BTW, I've been riding my '96 GPz1100 for the last 16 years. Odometer is about to roll over for the second time.

Great idea for a build. Something original and like you said not a million dollars 💵👍🏻 Next you could do some kinda MAD Max bike build. Looking forward to the series.

I was going to buy the 86 900 ninja when i was in college and i never did, I wanted that bike soooo bad!!

Love your videos. Is funny you say you're tired of impossible expensive RU-vid builds standing in front of your awesome batmobile. Seriously though, you've became my new favorite RU-vidr.

You should really show us around that bike shop a bit. It looked like there was some interesting stuff in there.

I really wanted the GPz900R, I had an AR125 which had the same styling and ironically I could beat my much older friend around the twisty sections who had the 900. Eventually I had a go on one, it weighed an absolute ton, wasn't that quick ( I was used to R1's & Blades then) and I quickly handed it back. I was scared to push it on the corners and the brakes felt like I needed to drop an anchor to help slow it down. They were good for 155mph but really it is only a Z900 with a fairing, 16 valves and liquid cooling. The Yamaha FZ750 the same age is as quick plus with a set of FZR wheels and brakes they actually stop and handle up there with early 90's bikes. They should have used one of those for the film, the one I rode had 85,000 miles on the clock, GPz's die at about 40,000 miles. The GPz600R was the best GPz as it had the more modern cradle frame unlike the bigger bikes flexi spine frame. It also weighed a lot less and was nearly as quick on acceleration while also stopping quicker. The excellent handling GPz600R was the first supersport bike ever and helped inspire the CBR600F which is the most popular sportsbike ever. It was also a faster, better option than the RG & RD500 two strokes that were it's competition at the time and it helped put nails in their coffins. The GPz900R is the bike everyone thought they wanted but the GPz600R is the one we all needed. Except they were old by the time I could insure one so I got the FZR600 instead.

I cant believe that has a hydraulic clutch! Thats cool that shop did that for ya w/the wheels. What are your thoughts about repacking the fiberglass in the exhaust? I have a similar exhaust and i probably need to do it.

I'm about to get an 85 tomorrow. It's been sitting a while but had 21k miles and is complete. Basically being thrown in a trade/cash deal I'm making with someone. Guess the tank cap is stuck closed and tank needs a flush and a tune up. And starter appears to not be spinning correctly. Looking forward to getting it running though.

I had gpz 900 for 10 years, great bike, but was a rocking horse, didn't like turning. Get it sorted then redline it in 1st and 2nd and hold on for dear life. I backed off once at 145mph. Scary. But a list of things that need checking on these, cam wear, valves wear, cam chain guide wear, anti dive on front forks. Also good to drop sump and make sure the oil strainer is not blocked with overuse of silicon sealant.

Man I struggle trying to even find a ninja 250 for under 3k

Very good!!!

Sweet build! I vote black base/red vinyl wraps!

The Plastics can be reconditioned with a heat gun. There are some videos showing how it is done

The VINWIKI stories and other RU-vidrs experience with supercars have convinced me I don't want a supercar. Lol

Don't forget the ejector seat... Oh no. Different movie!

I was a closet crotch rocket fan. But now I am out and loving everything on 2 wheels. It's the golden age of motorcycles!

Good vid Casey and restoring this bike as it was depicted in the Top Gun movie will be fun. I was thinking, wouldn't it be more cost effective to have the bike body panels wrapped instead of painted? Just a thought.

8:06 ohhhh yeah STEAMY

Jamie you can refresh the black plastics with a heat gun

i love those bikes

I think these tyres be like ur og viper ones old and hard

This will be cool

Ok... the first thing. Wow the batmobile behind you.. what a guy.🤣 really like the red version too, but those bikes are rare here in europe and pricey because of that.

Placement of the the sacred stickers.... it's what makes it truly fast.

speed is life

Subscribed. Hope you have your bomber jacket ready to complete the look!

I had a 85 900 ninja Black & red with yosh header , paid 1800 in 1987, great bike , zero to OH Ya !! in 2 seconds, my cousin has it now.

The / 55 stickers are a nod to a popular Sammy Hagar song “ I don’t drive 55 “

Dude, the more I look at that bike the more I say , Dont do anything to it !!! IF it really needs painting, redo in the same colors and logos. Then again I am a purist, I love original bikes. Mine is 21yo, that one is 35yo. The headlight is probably real glass. Good luck getting parts. Does it have the electronic dampening on the front forks? The Ninja 600R did. Clean the carbs !

Cool you got a new subscriber!!!!!!!

my dad had a Kawasaki Ninja GPZ 900R

Make sure you either get the paint baked or wait at least a month before putting those stickers on.

Affordable being the key word

You put goose giving the finger.... YOU'RE AWESOME

i made two of em, it's just the best ride and i swear it's faster with the correct stickers

Hey Casey I am a big fan of your content on youtube. A few days ago your video from your viper on petrolicious and saw the program for the intership at Genius Garage that you are giving. And let me tell you that I was amazed. I am mechanical engineering student at the University of Texas at El Paso and I wanted to do something similar when I graduated and had money. I feel very frustrated every day because I love cars and mechanics and unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to learn from these topics.Let me tell you that I understand perfectly why you do what you do. Since I have remembered, I have liked cars and I have not had the opportunity to interact with them or to drive one on a track. I think about it every day but I don't have the resources to do it. That's why when graduate and have a better income I want to create a program similar to yours that allows people like me to achieve dreams or things that seem unattainable. So if you help me with your internship I will be one step closer to being able to achieve it and I would give my best to be the best I can be . If you can give me information about this internship or how to apply to it, I would greatly appreciate it. I currently have a 3.9 GPA and I would really like to be able to participate in your program. It would really make me feel that I am doing what I love.

You'd like a GPz750 Turbo Casey. 20yrs of ownership now. You know turbines are cool... :-P

ive got that loving feeling...

it seems like every older bike i have bought had those grips...........I CANT STAND THOSE GRIPS for exactly the same reason you stated.

I had a 1985 900 Ninja. Bought it new.put 30,000k on it in the first summer. Rode across Canada. My longest day was 1900k. Could go through 3 gears on the back wheel. Yep those were the days. Tires hmmm ...rode till they showed threads. That's what we did back then.

Donut media just did up to speed on Hayabusa and this bike had a little piece in it

Soo want to do this. Thank you for feeling the same as others. We all can’t afford to build exotics. May be a midwestern thing lol

After you get done with this bike can you remake the bike vanilla ice used in the movie cool as ice..??? 🏍️

Send the link for the stickers please. Great feed.

Is that a rod knocking or a tiny exhaust leak?

The black plastic trim dries out over time while sitting in the sun. Wipe it down with or soak it in ATF and it will look like new.

I want the F14 Tomcat

The carbs need to be synchronized. I can tell from just hearing it idle.

Malarkey.... That's why we don't miss one show. That and monologues

Wasn't Jamie Hyneman responsible for this particular prop?

I'm pretty sure the top gun 900 Ninja was a 1984 model that was repainted in red and black. The 1985 version was indeed red and black from the factory but the one in the movie was a 1984 model.

The GPZ 750 Turbo was so much better but this bike is awesome too. Nice video

It's like the 944 of motorcycles (in aesthetics) imho. I wanna build a Top Gun bike myself.

I would love a Mad Max Goose Zed thou. Great build concept. As an aside didn't they use a rarer GPz750?

Now how the hell did you get a GPZ900r for less than 3k

Bravo on the cheepo

Nice dollar to performance ratio