1982 Suzuki GS

JS1GT72AXC2101604

Clear

1982 Suzuki GS1000SZ Katana Resto-Mod Streetfighter I’ve owned this bike since 1991, so it will be hard to see this one go… I built this with the intention to keep. It’s been taken down to the frame and every piece has either been powdercoated, painted, or replaced. So as you can see, the bike is not stock. Sorry to all the purists out there, but I built this bike to ride and let me assure you this Katana runs, stops, and handles better than any stock one can or ever will. That being said, this is not some backyard hack job. The bike is pretty well sorted and basically done (although a project like this is never quite done). I tried to keep things Suzuki where I could, and to have a factory look to it. People that don’t know Katanas think that it’s a new bike, great care was taken to make things fit and flow together. After disassembly, the frame was taken to Framecrafters to remove the passenger footpeg frame triangle and fabricate mounts for the new rearsets (originally intended for an SV650). They also made new steering stops to accommodate the 92 GSXR750 USD fork, and modified the 92 GSXR750 swingarm to accept the dual WP shocks. I then had them fabricate a custom stainless exhaust that hugs the engine for ground clearance and exits next to the rear brake pedal. Although I’m currently running a full stainless Yosh setup, the buyer will have a choice of exhausts. All mechanical work was done at Redline Cycle in Skokie IL. Although mostly known for their Kawasaki restorations, Jim does things right and this bike has always been serviced there. This is a badass bike, which has a nice subtle style to it. I haven’t had it dyno’d, but it definitely pulls like a freight train (I’d guess in the neighborhood of 150hp). The clutch is definitely a bitch to pull, no hydraulics here… and the exhaust sets off car alarms, but that’s part of its charm. Thanks to the GSXR front end, wheels, and WP Shocks it also handles like a new bike and is rock solid. You’d be hard pressed to build or find another old school GS of this quality for sale right now. Here's a list of most of the mods, I'm sure I'm forgetting some things... Chassis: 1992 GSXR Front End, Swingarm, Wheels, and BrakesWorks Performance Billet Tracker Shocks PBR Rear Sprocket 5/8 Offset Front Sprocket EK 530 Chain Conversion Dunlop D16’s 120 Front 180 Rear (yes, a 180 fits… barely) Billet SV650 concentric adjustable rearsets New EBC brake pads front/rear Steel braided rear brake line Bodywork/Aesthetics: Mostly stock 82 Katana, slightly modded tail section and brakelight.Stock gauge cluster is fully functional New silver metallic paint (close to stock), and factory decal kit. Stock seat recovered in black and gray roughout (suede) leather Frame powdercoated in gloss black, swingarm is satin Wheels, triples, clipons powdercoated dark bronze Engine is painted in a ‘cast iron’ type finish… looks very cool Engine: New Mikuni RS34’s w/ K&N Filter Pods Vance & Hines cams and gears Welded crank Straight cut trans Barnett Heavy Duty clutch and springs Lockhart Oil Cooler Recent gaskets and seals (the whole engine) Recent valve adjustment Buyer’s choice of exhausts Unfinished Business: The only thing not ‘perfect’ on the bike are the levers/controls. I was debating design choices here and had yet to replace the stock 92 GSXR levers/perches/brakelines… not a big deal but they don’t match the caliber of the rest of the bike, they function perfectly. The last couple of pix show the bike mid-build, and the last pic shows the bike fitted with the custom made stainless exhaust. If you’re serious about the bike, I urge you to come take a look in person… I can be reached at 847-644-3747.