Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana
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Classic Bike Club
Suzuki's GSX 1100S Katana now qualifies for classic insurance.  But is the world's first 150 mph bike welcome in the classic club, or is it a pushy gatecrasher?

                   
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This is my Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana 1982 before restoration which I bought on 10.9.2002.

The Katana 1100 that Suzuki unleashed on an unsuspecting motorcycle world in 1982 was a machine like nothing seen before from Japan.  It was bold, stylish, imaginative, breathtaking;  very different to succession of fast but visually dull models that had preceded it.  And underneath all the fancy bodywork, the Katana was an outstanding superbike too.

Specification                 Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana 1982
Engine                           Air-cooled dohc 16-valve four
Capacity                        1075cc (72x66)
Maximum power          111bhp    8500rpm
Transmission                Five-speed, chain final drive
Frame                            Steel twin downtube
Brakes                           Twin discs front, disc rear
Performance                  Standing 1/4-mile 11.05sec and terminal speed 123.64mph (Cycle World february -83)

The way to approach any project like this is simply take it apart.

                                 
Right instrument restoration. Left top cover, trip meter knob and panel housing. Right bottom cover and speedometer drive union.

               
New Suzuki genuine transfers were sourced from Ralf Königer.  Replaced parts and screws.
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Restoration completed 20.5.2003.  Here you can see the result of my restoration.   Note finishing of the bodywork!

The Katana was 20.5.2003 ready to be started.  Handling is very good for such a big, heavy bike.  The fairling and screen are solidly mounted, so contributing to the Katana's impressive high speed stability.  The big GSX 1100cc engine is flexible powerplant, with huge reserves of instant midrange torque.  All this torque makes the Katana a breeze to ride, even in heavy traffic, you can forget the gears and just roll on and off the throttle.  If you need a bit of extra speed - no worries, the engine has plenty of power and revs to spare.  Kat pulls evenly from 2000rpm and starts to fly at 6000.

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Dream time:  Katana and road go together, so where better to enjoy the open road than on a 1600km midnight sun ride across north Lapland and Norway.  Midnight sun, warm Katana - what more could you want?

Pictures:
1. and 2.  Midnight sun in Karesuvanto (north west Finland)
3.  Skibotn camping (north Norway)
4.  5. and 6.  Road to Tromsö backround ice sea.
7. and 8. Kontioralli 2003 Levitunturi.

I very much like the Katana 1100 and this model is the best yet.   Other machines may be faster, or better handling, or even slightly more reliable.   None offers quite the same combined package of performance and reliability and handling.

Yes, the Suzuki GSX 1100S Katana is the real thing, make no mistake about that.  It's ideal, finest, exellent, raw,  uncompromising, fast - and a hell of a lot of fun.  If any bike deserves its reputation as a true future classic, this is the one.

         E-mail:  nasser@luukku.com

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