RSBFS normally shies away from buffed-up resto-mods, but this long term transformation is understated, very true to the original – and a looker. This owner has polished where appropriate, but powder-coated in many cases, with a nice performance rebuild of the 1100cc four.
1983 Suzuki GSX1100S Katana for sale on eBay
On the radical side, the German firm Target Design penned their edgy 111 hp flagship, as the headlight fairing slashes its way toward 136 mph. Suzuki’s twin-swirl combustion chamber ( TSCC ) and forged engine internals made all that power more reliable. Ergonomics are long and low, rake and trail numbers optimized for high speed work. Forks had anti-dive but were not adjustable, while dual rear shocks had five selections for preload and rebound.
Evidently restored by the original owner, this Kat has some serious mods in the engine and could be shown as a light custom. Some normally bright parts have been powder coated black while forks and calipers ( and float bowls ! ) have been polished. With stripes, the paint is celebratory compared to the original. The owner says this in the eBay auction:
The bike starts and runs great, and has about 600 miles on it since being restored.Engine assembled by Scott Horner / Heads Up PerformanceWiseco 1160 piston kitHeads Up Performance ported and polished headYoshimura stage two camsCrank rebuilt by FaliconNew OEM rods, oil pumpVance & Hines Super Hub rebuilt by APE PerformanceAPE Billet clutch basket assy, Valve job w/ bronze valve guides, Undercut trans gears, Heavy duty cam chain,Manual cam chain tensioner, Adjustable cam sprockets, cam chain guideVortex Overhead oiling kitDyna ignition, green coils, HT wiresPaint by AT. MarkusNew GSXR front master cyl & OEM rearStainless brake lines/fittingsPowder coated frame and all bracketsBolts stainless, new OEM or black oxide finishEBC Pro-lite brake disksWorks shocksPirelli Sport Demon tiresRizoma Blinkers and GripsNew seals/bearings
The ’83 1100 had that blue with stripes paint scheme. These properly resto modded Katana’s are totally acceptable in my book. Nice bike.
I’ve got no problem with tasteful modifications, especially inside the engine.
Two little nits to pick, the turn signals and cheesy hand grips just do not look right and have to go.
I’ve had several older Kats (550 and 1000SZ) and these are really great bikes. I took my 1000 on a ’round the State trip with my younger brother (Wisconsin) where we both rode the bikes of our college days, me on the big Kat and him on his pristine gpz900 Ninja 85.. Anyway, The pure original bikes were not really that great, but with modest engine work, rear sprocket, some ohlins shocks and reworked front forks, these bikes are super fun. The 85 mph speedo on my 82 drives me nuts. Still, great great bikes and finally they are getting their due.
Sold for $7,600.
dc