81 SUZUKI KATANA GSX SZ 1100
RESTORATION PROJECT
I remember the first time I saw a Suzuki Katana - WoW. It was on Bay St Brighton Le Sands (NSW, Australia), the owner turned off General Holmes Drive & parked in front of the Commonwealth Bank, I quickly rode my Supergoose over to have a gander. What the Heck was it. It turned out to be a Suzuki Katana that in late 1981 looked like something that was back from the future I loved it. I made my mind up there & then that I would own one of these ultra rad bikes.
The first bike I bought was a Suzuki DR then a two stroke Suzuki RG 250. Then in 1985 a mate bought a Katana he rode it down the street and ran into the back of a parked truck luckily the only thing hurt was his ego.... $2500 later it was mine.
At this time I was living in Bundeena (NSW, Australia) so it was ridden daily through Nasho (Royal National Park) what a blast! I gave her new fork seals, wheel,swing arm,triple tree bearings,four into ones & Marzzochi shocks a Onyx black coat of paint with royal blue wheels, engine, discs, and calipers. In 1990 I had to sell her to get a car. Bummer.
As shown in the photo (above) you can see the bike was all ready black before the paint job.
Five years down the road the opportunity to own another Katana came up. My Bro's mate who owned an original 82 750 with 13000k's on the clock... $2500 and I became the second owner this is my registered daily ride.
A little later another came up on Ebay a 81 model 1100. A quick trip to Wollongong in the F100, handed over the cash and now I have two, this is the one that I will be showing the rebuild on. The paint was mediocre so all the bodywork and tank where removed for prep.
This is the 1100 two hours after I rolled it off the truck.