Edgy: 1982 Suzuki Katana GSX-1100 Restomod for Sale

1982 Suzuki Katana GSX-1100
Miles: 21
Clean Title
Listing Price: $29,000
Listing Ends: July 31st, 2024

Looking back on motorcycling history, it may be hard to understand the impact made by the Suzuki Katana GSX-1100 when it was introduced. By the late 1970s, the UJM or “Universal Japanese Motorcycle” format and styling were well-established. They were relatively upright machines, with minimal or nonexistent bodywork, a comfortable riding position, conservative suspension geometry and, most importantly, a big, air-cooled four cylinder engine hanging out in the breeze for all to see. The 1981 Katana was a bit like a hand grenade tossed into the conservative Japanese motorcycle design landscape, at least from a styling standpoint. Mechanically, it was all relatively conventional for the period: a DOHC 16-valve, 1074cc inline four backed by a five-speed gearbox, hung from a conventional steel double-cradle frame with twin shocks at the rear and a 19″ wheel up front matched to a 17″ hoop out back. The radical styling was also effective, in terms of increasing the bike’s aerodynamics: the 111hp bike had an impressive 147 mph top speed. At the time it was introduced, the Katana may have been controversial, but it set the stage for the more modern sportbikes that would soon follow, like Suzuki’s own GSX-R.

Coming out of my personal collection is my custom 1982 Suzuki Katana 1260. This bike was custom built sparing no expense, over $40,000 was invested. This is a one-of-a-kind Katana that looks, sounds, and rides like no other.

The bike was completely disassembled, the frame sand-blasted and repainted with All-Grip epoxy primer and super jet black. The rear of the frame modified for the upswept rear look, and the GSX Hayabusa front end was carefully fitted to new steering stem bearings. A Kosman Racing swingarm allows the ultra-wide 170/60-18ZR rear Dunlop to fit. The front and rear geometry and suspension gives the bike much better handling than a stock Katana. The factory rear shocks actually handled better than the Ohlins we tried. She is sporting the paint/bodywork from a 1983 Katana.

The all-new engine was built from a factory new set of cases modified by Falicon for the big block Wiseco cylinders to fit, new Falicon crankshaft and rods, custom race transmission, offset countershaft sprocket kit, billet aluminum clutch hub, Wiseco 1261 big bore big block cylinder kit forged 10.25:1, Vance & Hines cams [vintage], titanium valves, HD springs, cylinder head ported and polished, Keihin CR carbs, oversized oil cooler, custom ignition system, vintage SuperTrapp stainless steel exhaust, and so much more…

I have been restoring, racing, riding, fixing, buying, selling, and collecting rare motorcycles since graduation from AMI: American Motorcycle Institute Daytona Beach Florida.

in 1980. I have won countless awards of the years, but most recently I was awarded “Motorcycle Collecter of the Year” at the 2023 Boca Raton Concours d’Elegance [the East Coast Pebble Beach]. I have had judges say my restorations look like they just came out of the factory crate, so I do know a little about bikes.

I have owned over 150 amazing bikes. The history of these bikes is very cool but this Katana is even cooler. This is a very very rare sport bike! So don’t miss out: I always make the joke, tell your wife, “This bike will only appreciate with time, unlike her shoe collection.” That is for sure of this rare find.

The bike also appears to have a stylish set of Performance Machine 17″ aluminum wheels fitted with modern rubber, although a 170 tire is hardly “ultra-wide.” This is obviously not an all-original example of an 80s classic, it’s a very nice restomod, excepting the hideous carbon-look turn signals and Pro-Grip tank pad, that takes the best elements of the original bike, period-correct hot rod parts, and modern technology, and combines them into something that is hopefully much better to ride, faster, and more reliable than a motorcycle from 1982 could ever be, while maintaining the classic look and feel of an original Katana. Did the seller succeed? Do you have $29,000 burning a hole in your pocket and an almost alarming obsession with quirky Hans Muth designs? Then this could be your new bike.

-tad