Kiwi Rarity: 1980 McIntosh Suzuki BR1 Bathurst Replica
It took a couple of months but I got stumped again. Last time it was a Gilera Saturno that I’d never heard of. This time a New Zealand frame builder by the name of Ken McIntosh got me. This is one of his creations, a McIntosh Suzuki BR1 Bathurst Replica. Right off the bat I assumed Bathurst was the name of a former racer. Wrong I was, Bathurst Mt. Panorama is a circuit in New South Wales, Australia. It sounds like the race bike enjoyed a fair amount of success there.
Production numbers seem a bit on the sketchy side but around 50 seems to be generally agreed upon number. Apparently they were sold mostly in Australia through a dealer associated with Mr. McIntosh. I don’t have any solid info on how long the bike was produced. If you are into exclusivity I don’t think you’ll have to worry about someone else rolling up on one.
The internets provided this old photo of the race bike and the its’ replica. As you can see by comparing the photos, the bike for sale has received some modernization: wheels, brakes, shocks, swing arm and exhaust stand out. If the sticker is correct the swing arm comes from Over Racing, a Japanese tuning shop known for pushing the limits of design.
Looks like a race bike from here.
The details from the seller:
1980 McIntosh Suzuki BR1 “Bathurst Replica” located at our shop in Japan. This
is a very rare bike built in New Zealand by Ken McIntosh. I was told that
between 40-50 frames were built. The engine in the bike is a 1980 Suzuki GS1000.
The engine was rebuilt a few years back using Wiseco 1085cc pistons, stock cams,
Keihin FCR37 carbs… The bike has run a total of 761 km = 456 miles since the
rebuild. This bike has many one off parts like, stainless steel exhaust, front
brake rotors, triple clamps…. Bike runs great and is ready to ride. I can ship
the bike to Long Beach, California for approx $800.00. Worldwide shipping is
also available at the cost of the buyer. The bike is sold with a bill of sale
only. If you are looking for a very unique bike to ride or collect this is it.
Bike is sold as is, so ask questions before. Check out my other auctions for
more rare motorcycles or check us out on the web.
What I couldn’t find info on was how heavily modified the engine was originally. Anyone out there in cyber space know if McIntosh massaged the Suzuki GS1000 engine? As the seller noted, this one is not stock. They wish they had those carbs in 1980.
Another look at the Over Racing arm and multiple updates to her back end.
Usually I am in the dark on prices for these low volume bikes. I did find a post that claimed two, relatively stock and low mile McIntosh BR1’s recently sold for close to $18,500. This bike has a starting bid of $10,000. Even though it has been rebuilt and has some really nice upgrades I would think it would be valued less than a stock original. I’ve been proven wrong more than once though, just ask my wife.
I think you might be able to make your buddies with their Harris framed Suzuki’s jealous with this one. She is listed on Ebay but sitting in the land of the rising sun currently. If you’d like more info on Kiwi race bikes (who knew?) here is a neat site.
Ian
Nice find guys. I remember watching Dr Rodger Freeth race the McIntosh Suzuki many times as a kid growing up in New Zealand. Rodger was a University lecturer in Physics and hellish fast on the special framed Suzuki. He later became a famed Rally co-driver for Possum Bourne and sadly lost his life in a Rallying accident in 1993
Beautiful bike. My mate owned one in the mid 80’s, it was almost identical to the bike above but had the 1100 katana engine with a Yoshimira exhaust and was rejetted, so probably produced around 125 – 130 hp. He bought it from Mick Hone Motorcycles in Melbourne, Austalia. I rode it several times and remember hitting an indicated 240kph on the road, and still accelerating. Extremely stable handling with a longish wheelbase, a very confidence inspiring bike, rock solid through 160kph sweepers. At the time I rode a Kawasaki KR250 so the Mac felt very fast! He sold it for $8000au and moved on (down, I think!) to a ’88 gsxr 750. I could have bought it but at the time couldn’t justify the expense.
Pat,
Good stuff, thanks for commenting.