Suzuki : GSX / Katana

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Suzuki : GSX / Katana:
$9990.00

Unmolested Original!1983 Suzuki GSX1100 Katana \'It\'s a classic.\' With those words “Bike” magazine concluded its glowing road test of Suzuki\'s GSX1100 Katana in February 1984, noting that the big Suzie was still the undisputed \'King of the Street\'. With a best one-way of 143mph, the Katana had the legs of rivals such as Kawasaki\'s GPz1100 and Laverda\'s Jota, while a standing-quarter run of 11.13 seconds demonstrated that there was no lack of bottom-end grunt. Styled by the German firm of Target Design, run by ex-chief of design for BMW, Hans Muth, with Jan Fellstrom and Hans-Georg Kasten, and first seen at the 1980 Cologne Show, the Katana represented a bold effort to produce an uncompromising sports bike in the European mould. The result was a machine that combined straight-line speed with secure handling like no Japanese bike before it. The speedy elevation of the original to the ranks of motorcycling style icon prompted the re-introduction of the model in Japan in the 1990s, though the second-generation version had to make do with 96bhp rather than the original\'s 111 horses. br>
This superbly original, untouched and unmolested example dates from 1983, with completely untouched, original paint. Owned for the last 6 years by an enthusiast/restorer/racer, the bike has been meticulously cared for… and it shows. There are no scratches, scuffs or dings in the bodywork. The finish on the frame, also perfectly original, is excellent apart from boot-scuff marks, as can be seen in the photos. The seat sports the original cover, and is excellent with no discolouration or tears. There are scuffs on the outer engine covers from moving the bike around. They don’t look fresh and there is certainly no evidence of accident damage. Mechanically, the bike is excellent condition throughout, fresh from a full tune-up to ready the bike for sale. The engine is responsive and powerful, running through original carburetors. The bike shifts perfectly through all gears with a great clutch. When the engine comes on song, the exhaust note is an intoxicating, totally ‘80s cacophony. The original rear brake works perfectly and compliments the front brake, uprated to twin pot calipers. Suspension is excellent with new shocks to the rear. All electrical systems work perfectly, and tires are pretty fresh. All other cycle parts are in excellent condition and seem to be original to the bike. The bike comes with a full set of original tools and a clean, clear California title. Having ridden the bike quite a few miles, it rides great, and I wouldn’t hesitate to ride it anywhere. This is a fantastic and rare find: a mechanically excellent Suzuki Katana with the most desirable engine, in the most desirable styling exercise of the 1980s, when bikes were designed rather than just wrapped around an engine. It is offered in unmolested, original condition, save the upgrades to the rear suspension, front brake, and ridding the bike of the awful indicators. Oozing style and design, this has to be the best investment, as an appreciating classic.