Posts tagged as “Katana”

Winterfresh – 1982 Suzuki Katana 1000

Published February 4, 2023 by Donn

Though most of the country isn’t quite ready to think about bikes, the season is right around the corner. Here’s an interesting GSX1000SV with a reinvigorated engine and updated cosmetics.

1982 Suzuki Katana 1000 for sale on eBay

Suzuki had a design program for a new GS1100-based sportbike going, but the German importer interjected with a new styling firm, Target Design. The 1000cc version was built to homologate the model for racing, with its 4-valve four pushing 108 hp. The chassis was typical round steel downtubes, with the wheelbase tightened up almost an inch. Suspension and brakes had more in common with the GS than innovation, which worked for the slightly lighter Katana. The sculpted saddle, signature Hans Muth fairing and clip-on handlebars caused a sensation in the press and the showroom.

Guess the chain of ownership on a forty year-old motorbike isn’t worth mentioning unless it’s very short, but this Katana seems to have survived its 21-1/2K miles without any major events. Adding the blue from the 1983 livery gives interest to the tank and fairing, and the top end / carburetor work will benefit the new owner. Overall a very together presentation with many new parts listed in the eBay auction –

This one is more than just a survivor, it is a lightly modified very sound and solid bike to ride. The modifications are as follows: 4 into one Yoshimura exhaust that allows you to retain the center stand, tinted wind screen, rear taillights, front brake master cylinder, original silver paint job has been enhanced with ‘83 Katana blue striping. The engine heads and carbs have been professionally freshened up by Emma at Motown in Monterey, CA less than 1,000 miles ago. It starts, runs & rides excellently.

The original Katana design statement hid some of the engineering work required for the 1000cc model, such as a new block casting to keep the cylinder spacing but accommodate iron liners of the proper thickness. And like the forks with the front axle at the end rather than offset forward, many other parts were adjusted or beefed up with AMA superbikes in mind. The relatively new fork anti-dive circuit worked well, but reviewers took issue with the rear spring rate, too high even at the lowest pre-load. Besides a spirited classic ride, the Katana 1000 could provide a pretty good engineering study for the next owner.

-donn

3 Responses.

Caged Cat – 1982 Suzuki Katana 1000

Published October 7, 2022 by Mike

Now here is a bike that should need no introduction. The original 1980s bad boy, the 1982 Katana 1000 redefined sport bike and style in a manner that only Suzuki could pull off. Dominated by engine yet defined by the striking Hans Muth designed styling, the Katana put Suzuki – for a brief moment in time, anyway – in a completely different league than other sport bike and UJM manufacturers.

1982 Suzuki Katana 1000 for sale on eBay

Based significantly on the existing GS1100 series, the Katana was more of a styling exercise than a brand new design. Existing chassis, engine (with a slightly smaller bore & stroke), tranny and other running gear were lifted from existing sources. But it was the minimalist approach to the bodywork that really set the Katana off from its peers. From the exposed rectangular headlight to the tiny windscreen, the aggressive beak nose, to the short tail, the Katana made a brash statement. Of course the DOCH 16 valve mill was still quite stout, and the 1,000cc original model was thought to be slated for homologation and racing – which never quite panned out. Still, the Katana was 90 horsepowers of substance to match all that style.

From the seller:
The 1982 Suzuki Katana 1000 was a radical bike when it hit the states. Really nothing before it looked like it.

These bikes are a big deal with collectors. I thought the CBX market was insane but the first gen Kat market is even crazier. Arguably the 1982 is more desirable as a collector but the 1983 is a bit better bike being a 1100 and a more attractive color scheme IMO

More from the seller:
Which brings us to this bike. The 1982 was not made in huge numbers, and many of them were modified with unreversable changes or ones that are difficult to change back to stock. Not this bike! I have been searching for an 82 Kat for a long time when I came upon this one. Only 7400 miles! But what was really amazing is that is was unmodded. Has factory exhaust and seat cover! Stock exhaust for this bike are near extinct and although there are replacement seat covers, they are vinyl and not suede like the original. I have seen auctions where decent, original seat covers go for $1000 or more, and last year an original 82 Kat exhaust sold for $2400! The factory airbox intact too as well as factory turn sigs.. This bike is as stock as you can get.

Really the only flaws on the bike are some dime sized grinds on the exhaust but these must have been a tip over or very low speed crash, as there are no other visible damage spots on bike.

Gauge cluster is intact and working too, which usually is not the case on these bikes. Tires are in very good shape but are not original, bike just went thru a complete service including oil/filter change, new plugs and air filter, valve lash check and chain adjust. Also syched the carbs and added new battery.

Paint was decent but not great so had a full 2 stage respray done in factory brilliant silver that had to be ordered from the UK. New OEM style decals too. Tank has been sealed with Red Kote and has a brand new petcock.

More from the seller:
This is probably the lowest mile 82 all original Kat 1000 available right now. One brought over $20k recently and there are some others priced higher with more miles. I bought the bike right and would like to pass it on to someone who will cherish it and understand what an icon it is in sportbike history. If you think that’s a lot of money for a 40 year old Japanese motorcycle then you do not understand what you are looking at.

We do not see too many clean and original examples of the Katana these days. The best of the bunch are often restoration projects consisting of NOS parts of bits taken from other bikes. We tend to find more modified bikes as well, given that the black chrome movement of the 1980s did not hold up well to elements and repeated heat cycles. Today’s bike is not perfect, but does appear to represent an honest Katana that has been spared many of the maladies that we often see. The seller notes a respray, and has been open about other flaws. The pricing is set accordingly, with a Buy It Now set for $15,500. That is not as high as we have seen for some bikes, so it will be interesting to see if anybody nibbles. You can check out all of the details here, and Good Luck!!

3 Responses.

The Big Kat: 1982 Suzuki Katana 1000

Published May 21, 2022 by Mike

If you are an enthusiast of a certain age, big bore nostalgia simply must look something like this 1982 Suzuki Katana. Designed by Target Design of Germany (with key member Hans Muth involved), the Katana was a stunning departure from motorcycle design of the time. This was a bike that looked mean and ready to hurt you just parked on the showroom floor. If it were a dog, it would growl at you as you approach. Dominated by motor and angular bodywork, the Katana also had subtle elements such as the nifty all-in-one gauge cluster, the offset gas cap, and the two-tone seat.

1982 Suzuki Katana for sale on eBay

Strip away the iconic bodywork and the GSX transforms into what is essentially a more pedestrian GS. The air-cooled mill, the 4-valve heads, the 5-speed transmission… it was already there in the parts bin just waiting to be used. But Suzuki put it to good use in the creation of the Katana, a bike that differed surprisingly little from the stunning concept bike unveiled just a year earlier. From the original model spawned many variants and sub-variants, both in terms of capacity (i.e. extending the Katana name throughout the lineup), as well as different versions of the big bike.

From the seller:
1982 Suzuki Katana 1000
14,505 Original Miles
Engine, carburetors and exhaust completely stock
Brake system overhauled
Recently serviced
New clutches
New throttle cable
The original black chrome exhaust is in excellent condition
Stater cover has minor scratches.

The seller has included a video walkaround tour of this particular bike here:

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There is some confusion concerning this particular example. The eBay advert clearly states this is a 1000, but the supplied video calls it out as an 1100. Both are possible, but the 1100 is more likely due to the rarity of the 1000cc homologation models (Suzuki was targeting AMA racing at the time). A VIN check could help here, but none was supplied. Additionally, the seller states the original black chrome exhaust is in excellent condition – but I see bright chrome in the pictures. That could be lighting or perspective as well, so possibly not an issue. There are some non-stock mods that I see including flush-mount turn signals front and rear and what appear to be non-OEM brake lines and fittings. That is really only critical if this is to be considered an investment machine, as stockers continue to command the highest market prices.

This auction is going on now in a classified, Buy It Now format. The seller is asking $19,500 for the bike which in today’s market might actually be going rate for a top line GSX1000S / GSX1100S, if not a little optimistic. We don’t see these time machines come through much anymore, and the stock on hand is certainly dwindling. That makes this a pretty rare find (even during the springtime high season), and interested parties might want to check out all of the details here. Good Luck!!

4 Responses.

Canadian Envy: 1983 Suzuki Katana 750

Published March 1, 2022 by Mike

With respect to our neighbor to the North, there is much to be jealous of – from curling expertise to community-based healthcare, the too-cool look of the Mounties, half of the Niagara Falls, and so much maple syrup you could float a hockey stick. But for most of us, Canada represents the gateway to an entirely different motorcycle market. In fact, the largest percentage of the grey market forbidden fruit comes down through the US-Canada border. And in some cases – like today’s striking 1983 Suzuki Katana 750 – it has remained in Canada awaiting import.

1983 Suzuki Katana 750 for sale on eBay

US buyers had access to the original Katana with 1100cc power. There was also a 1 liter model built to homologate the bike for racing. But for the American riding public, the big bore bike was really the only option if you lusted after the Hans Muth design. Other markets received a number of different capacity models that looked like the big Katana, including today’s 750 model. The only smaller “Katana” models here in the States during this era were warmed over GS bikes, lacking the visual punch of the original. Canada, on the other hand, were the recipients of multiple Katana models, all true to the original. Such as today’s 750.

From the seller:
1983 Suzuki katana 750 Canadian version in exellent shape with 49000km , has a small blem on nose , pictured , all stock except pipe . It was completely disasembled cleaned all parts painted and bearings replaced or greased , new chain , brake lines, pads ,oil and tuned ready too ride . The bike is not showroom but very nice has one blem on front fairing and lower side cowl everything works has it should.

For riders below the border, this is an oddity for sure. US Katanas did not come in color, nor did they vary greatly in capacity. I really like how this has the period correct Kerker hanging out proudly, the two-tone seat, and the hawk-bill windscreen that mimics the original. Perhaps not as rare or coveted as, say, a Gamma, we don’t find the smaller Katanas very often. I think they look great; the design continues to hold up well nearly FORTY years on. The seller notes it is not museum perfect, but I certainly wouldn’t kick it out of the bed for eating crackers. Check out all of the details on this stunner here, and then share your Katana stories. Good Luck!!

6 Responses.

Featured Listing: 1982 Suzuki Katana GS1000SZ

Published September 13, 2021 by William

Update 9.20.21: This bike has SOLD! Congratulations to buyer and seller! -dc

Update 9.13.21: Price reduced to $12,000. Contact Chris with your interest. Oh and don’t miss his Bimota SB6R either! -dc

Many have fond memories of the glorious excess of the 1980s. A time when more was better, and yet seldom enough. Currently there is a new found appreciation of some of the iconic design and memorable machines from the era. Take the Suzuki Katana, long held in high esteem with a cult following. Suzuki recently announced it would be revive the name in a modern take on the classic design. The original Katana was a defining bike in many ways for Suzuki. All of this has caused a surge of interest in the original Katana, and rightfully so.

The 1982 example featured here is no run of the mill Katana, but rather the rare and sought after 1000cc version of the bike. In an attempt to further broaden the appeal of the Katana line, Suzuki decided to take the bike racing. The rules stipulated that they could not use the 1100 variant sold it many markets, so they reduced the bore size 2.6mm to bring the displacement to 998cc. The reduction in engine size did little to effect the power. With 90hp on tap and a top speed of over 140mph no one doubted the performance credentials.

In the words of the seller:

This 10,872 mile 1982 Suzuki Katana GS1000SZ has been resurrected with the intent being to treat the project as a bike that was ridden and maintained as an owner would have over the years using skill and quality OEM parts, not as a museum show piece. As such, the heart of the motorcycle was left intact. The frame has not been painted and still retains the original sticker near the left rear foot area and wear from the previous owner. The motor has not been removed, but has had a light cosmetic treatment and is a 10k mile running unit. All mechanical issues with this bike were addressed with OEM Suzuki parts whenever available. The bike was started and ran to assess the mechanical status.

The clutch made some excessive noise so the entire clutch, from the primary drive (no longer available, thanks Mick Hone Suzuki AUS) fiber and steel clutch plates, new pressure plate, as well as all springs, bearings and washers replaced with OEM parts.

The carburetors were then removed and disassembled, sonically cleaned and rebuilt. The tank is solid and the fuel has been rinsed out. A new Suzuki petcock with a new gasket and fresh fuel line installed. Carbs are jetted with the jets it ran on. Has a factory airbox, K&N filter and the Air/Fuel mixture screws 2 1/2 turns out. Clutch and carb work was performed by Jeremy Lanier of Lanier Racing.

I would like to thank Jeremy Lanier of Lanier Racing for his assistance, expertise and wit, also Mick Hone from Suzuki Australia for shipping some hard to find vintage Suzuki parts to the USA and Seminole Powersports North for the great parts and service departments.

The bike has patina and wear from previous years of use, specifically the frame and swing arm that were not disassembled or painted. There are lots of hours of work and plenty of dollars in parts spent on this 39 soon to be 40 year old bike. If you have any questions on the build or my reputation as a seller and member of the motorcycle community, do your due diligence. I have been building GSX-R’s for over 30 plus years and have built a number of various sport bikes sold on this site.

Ready to assist in the shipping logistics, but buyer is responsible for setting up arrangements

Interested buyers can contact me directly with any questions or legitimate offers on this bike or any other build you would like to commission.

gsxronly.com

Detailed list of parts used and work completed:

The bike sits in a dry, ready to start state. Oil in the crankcase, no fuel in the tank or carbs.

(Fuel last for about 2-3 weeks stagnant here in the Florida summer)

New Yuasa battery,

New Michelin Pilot tires,

New chain and sprockets

Powder coated wheels with new wheel bearings

New replica seat cover

Freshly painted tank and bodywork using PPG products including liberal amounts of DCU2021 clear if you wish to wet sand and buff to a show finish

New OEM Coils/ Caps and NGK plugs

New airbox rubber and clamps (air side), as well as the fuel side intake rubber inlets making carb removal and service a non drama event

All new OEM engine side covers, some not available anymore

Powder coated rotor carriers

New left side switch gear

New Suzuki mirrors

New Suzuki tail light

New throttle cable

New OEM front and rear turn signals

New OEM hand grips

Triple tree bearings

Clutch pivot shaft bearing

Rebuilt front and rear master brake cylinders (Suzuki dealer)

Vintage Vance and Hines exhaust

Complete list of parts and receipts for verification of all work performed.

Not only is this bike a rare and interesting version of a desirable motorcycle, it is in beautiful shape and sure to offer loads of enjoyment to a future owner. The bike has been tastefully modified and lovingly looked after by a knowledgeable owner with a long history with the brand. The seller is a long time supporter of RSBFS and we are over the moon that he has trusted us with the listing of another one of his amazing bikes.

Bike is listed at ~~$14,500~~ $12,000 with a Clear Florida Title

Contact:

Chris Perkins

gsxronly@aol.com

407-492-5854

Special thanks to Anna Jannotti for her professional expertise and phenomenal photographic skills.

Rescued & Rodded: 1982 Suzuki Katana 1100

Published July 15, 2021 by Mike

Let’s start right out in the open: this is not your ordinary 1982 Suzuki Katana. While the Katana was made available in both 1000cc and 1100cc models (the former with an eye towards homologation for racing), this was originally the smaller of the two – an even liter. But much like the automotive world where there is no replacement for displacement, this owner performed a bit of surgery on his steed, swapping in a GS1100 motor for a bigger bang. And while RSBFS generally tends to post only original examples, the Katana is rare enough today – and the conversion looks solid enough – to allow this one to fly under the radar. At the end of the day this is not likely to bring in quite as much as a fully original Katana, but as a resto-mod rider it might just fit the bill. The seller has a lot to say, and I’ll let him pick it up here.

1982 Suzuki Katana 1100 for sale on eBay

From the seller:
1982 SUZUKI KATANA GS1000SZ

This beautiful 1982 GS1000SZ with a 1983 GS1100SD motor is coming out of my private collection!

It is in excellent condition with low miles! I have owned many Katana’s and GS’s this one is awesome, love to ride this one! The bike has been set up period correct the way it would have been in 1982. Could be easily be converted back to all stock OEM if you could find a stock exhaust.

I have only put less than 1000 miles on it in the last few years and have enjoyed miles. So, I hate say it is time to sell a few bikes!

More from the seller:
The speedometer was replaced. With only about 15K miles she doesn’t need anything, just a new rider! I had tank (fuel tank is rust free) and bodywork painted with new OEM paint so there are no chips, dents, scratches or even scuff markets! The full Vance & Hines exhaust system in perfect condition and sounds awesome, when you start her up it will instantly bring you back to 1982!

The tires only have a few hundred miles on them. The seat is a brand-new custom seat cover black and silver to match the bike and motor! The bike has new brakes (front and rear calipers completely professionally rebuilt), carburetors professionally rebuilt with a stage 3 Dyno-S and synchronized with K&N pod filters (carburetors ultrasonic cleaned), chain, sprockets, fork seals where all replace last year with all OEM parts with very few miles on them! Steel braided brake lines where installed a few years ago!

More from the seller:
The Motor came from a very low miles (3800 miles) 1983 GS1100SD when it made room for a drag motor back in the day. I wanted the 1100 motor and I think it looks awesome with the black motor which is a much better motor!

This Katana looks, runs and rides better then it did when it rolled of the showroom floor back in the day!

Early generation Katanas are wonderful pieces of history. Outrageous styling nearly overwhelms the massive lump of 16-valve, air cooled inline four. This was a brute back in 1982, and the 19″ front hoop, small-ish brakes and antiquated dual-shock suspension highlight how far motorcycling has come in the last 40 years. There was very little that was cutting edge when the Katana hit the showrooms, but it made a massive splash due to the gamble Suzuki took with the styling (credit Hans Muth and his team for the design). Today this is an iconic bike that is instantly recognizable – even when modified.

Today’s example, as recounted by the seller, is a bit of a hot rodded Kat amongst the pigeons. The 1100 motor in black looks fantastic and is a natural fit given that Suzuki also build models in that capacity. Some of the mods might not be to everyone’s liking (polishing, turn signals, tail treatment), but from a go-fast perspective this is right on the retro money. And speaking of money, interested parties need to bring a fair amount. The Buy It Now price for this beast is one buck shy of 13 grand. With Katana pricing on the rise, Summer firmly in full swing and the general condition of the bike, the seller has set the bar high. Offers are welcome, so there may be room to move. Check out all of the details here, and Good Luck!!

Original Hot Rod: 1982 Suzuki 1000 Katana

Published July 2, 2021 by Mike

The original Suzuki Katana is one of those bikes that will always stand out from the crowd. Even 40 years later (yes, it has been that long). Today this is still an iconic silhouette that captures the eye – and the imagination. From a performance perspective, the Katana was practically a relic when released. It had an evolution of the mighty 1,000cc air-cooled GS motor, but aside from new-fangled front forks which incorporated crude (by today’s standards) anti-dive circuitry, nothing much was actually new. That is not to call the Katana just another pretty face, but it really was the angular design that made this model stick in the public’s mind. Today, they are very collectable. Which brings us to this nicely restored 1982 model. The seller has a lot to say about the bike and a long list of what was addressed. I will allow him to pick it up from here:

1982 Suzuki GS1000SZ Katana for sale on eBay

From the seller:
For sale out of my personal collection is my beautiful 1982 GS1000SZ Katana. The bike is very, very rare it is one of the first 1000 manufactured #000819. This is where the superbike history begins. If you don’t the History of the 1st one thousand produced, let me know and I will tell you all about it! The bike runs and rides awesome and everything works as it should. Bikes start right up and idle with very little choke needed!

More from the seller:
With only 11285 miles she didn’t need much at all, however, 2 years ago I opted to have it fully restored by RJT Cycles & Restorations. The old girl deserved it. RJT Cycles & Restorations specialize 1980 to 1986 GS and Katanas. They did a spectacular job, it looks as good if not better than the day it left the showroom in 1982. No chips, scratches or even a scuff on the in the original factory painted tank and bodywork, not one chip. With a period, correct Vance & Hines full exhaust in perfect condition and sounds like a symphony when she starts up. It willing bring you right back to 1982 with the push of the start button. The handle grips are original and in perfect condition. The frame was professionally painted with (OEM 13L) specially order from Suzuki in Japan is flawless also with scratches to speak of. RJT Restoration did a fantastic job, it is a piece of artwork!

More from the seller:
I brought in over the winter for service to RJT Cycles & Restorations. They went through the entire bike thoroughly. The carburetors where ultrasonic cleaned and completely rebuilt with all OEM parts. Installed dialed in and synchronized on the bike. They also rebuilt front and rear master brake cylinders and anti-dive until with OEM parts.

While I the care of RJT Cycles & Restorations I took the opportunity to have a lot parts powder coated and polished for low maintenance. Powder coating was done perfectly by Competitive Edge Coating. I hate to see this bike go, but I have enjoyed this piece of motorcycle superbike history immensely for years. It is time for you to give this piece of art work and history a new home and enjoy it as I have.

More from the seller:
Powder Coated parts;
Front Calipers & Bracket
Front & Rear Calipers
Rear Brake master cylinder
Battery Box
Air Box Cover
Fuse Panel
Kick stand
Center stand
Swing Arm & Polished
Torque link Bar
Firing frame

Brand New with zero miles
Tires Front & Back
Brakes Front & Back
Fork Seals
Battery
Oil Change
Brake fluid flashed and changed
Throttle cable
Clutch cable
Choke cable
Brand New Black steel braded brake lines front & rear
So much more!

More from the seller:
This bike has a money back guarantee! I have taken a lot of close-up photos of the good, bad and the ugly so please look at them all very carefully before you bid! The money back guarantee is, you will have 7 days to inspect the bike and if is not as described or is anything less then what is shown in the pictures or as have described you can send it back. However, your deposit is none refundable, and buyer is responsible for return shipping! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask! Please feel free to make a reasonable offer.

The internet seems to agree that this is one good looking bike, as there are many watchers to the auction. There have been few bids thus far (one at the time of writing), and a reserve that is still firmly in place. There are several days remaining on this one, so it is essentially still all to play for. If you are looking for a NOS museum piece, you might wish to look elsewhere as some of the work done on this magnificent looking Katana utilizes different methods than the factory did 40 years ago. But there is no doubting that it is clean, and overall appears to be in fantastic shape. Check out all of the details here, and Good Luck!!

7 Responses.

Featured Listing – 1983 Suzuki Katana 1100

Published May 14, 2021 by Mike

Found in New Jersey, today’s awesome 1983 Suzuki Katana is a throwback to what was the state of the art. Looking like a space ship – but rolling on caveman technology – the Katana made a serious statement to the world. This was a major score for Suzuki, and the entire world watched as the Hamamatsu manufacturer leapt to the front of the line with a string of successful models, including the forthcoming (and game changing) GSX-R. But in the first half of the 1980s it was the Katana making news and stealing the show.

Featured Listing: 1983 Suzuki Katana 1100 for sale on eBay

The radical lines of the Katana were penned by designer Hans Muth. They evoked a sense of motion with angular lines and a short, stubby windscreen. By all accounts the new Katana was not Gold Wing comfortable, but was no worse than the hyper sports bikes to come in the next decade (here’s looking at you, Ducati). Power came from an evolution of the big GS mill, with DOHC and four valve heads, but that is where brute force took over from technology. The big 72mm slugs displaced 1074cc, and slide in air cooled bores. These were fed by a brace of four Mikuni carbs, with the mixture squished to a compression ration of 9.5:1. All told, expect 110-ish HP from a stock unit (when new). The rest of the bike consisted of a steel double loop frame, and a twin shock swing arm arrangement. Brakes were big for the day, with 275mm disks up front and double piston calipers. When introduced ahead of the 1981 model year, Suzuki claimed the Katana was the fastest production motorcycle in the world.

From the seller:
1983 Suzuki GSX / Katana 1100. Listing for my father who has owned it since 1987. The engine was taken out and rebuilt in the 1990’s. It has a 1166cc big bore kit, Stage 2 port and polished head, megacycle cams, springs, and retainers, super hub clutch basket, 36mm mikuni RS carbs. Ohlins shocks, braced swing arm, powder coated wheels, large aftermarket performance machine front brakes, brand new Michelin tires, yoshimura header, dyna coils and MSD ignition box. We have most of the original parts for it including the original carburetors, shocks, seat, center stand, air box, swing arm, and a spare gas tank that is dented. Everything operates on the motorcycle except for the tachometer because of the MSD spark box. The box has an adjustable rev limiter. The motorcycle only has about 3000 miles on the rebuilt engine and has never been raced. Runs and stops great.

This particular Katana has benefitted from some very period-correct mods as well as newer technology. Read carefully through the seller’s description to find the deeper details, but essentially the GS motor responds well to a big-bore kit. This comes straight out of the dragstrip mentality of “bigger is better,” and by all counts the 1166cc upgrade is relatively conservative. The Yoshimura headers, the Kerker can, the braced swing arm, the upgraded carbs and the new cams are all old school trickery to make the Katana even faster (and thanks to upgraded brakes, it stops better too!); it all looks the part today. Even the MSD ignition seems to fit, itself a far better solution than the early-style, weak transistorized unit of the stocker. Sadly, said upgrade fails to communicate with the analog rev counter, making the tach inop. Many of the original parts are included in the sale, which is a plus for the collector.

The seller notes that this bike has been in the family for a long time – since 1987. That is great loyalty and longevity for what was initially thought of as a motorcycle oddity. Thankfully Suzuki experienced great success with the model, which spawned many variants including smaller capacities, different bodywork, and of course models crafted using similar design language (GS550 and XN85 Turbo, to name two). The Katana name was reused many times over the years as well, although never with such the impact as the original. This fantastic looking beast is prowling for a new garage or man cave to call home. And who wouldn’t want this sitting somewhere where it could be seen? Anthony can be reached by email here and is asking $15,000.