1986 Suzuki GSX-R

JS1GU74A3G2101511

Clear

Here we have an icon of the industry. To say that this bike was a game changer is just scratching the surface. It rewrote the performance measures and completely took the world by storm. It was unheard of to pack so much power into a lightweight package. I could go on and on with praises and quotes from magazines to motorcycle journalists that just dumped pages of praise onto this first generation motorbike. The bike I am regretfully letting go of is an interesting story. A buddy of mine called to tell me about a bike that a friend of his had for sale. He knew I collect bikes and felt it was worth me taking a look. When he started to tell me about it I was ready to drop everything, "1986 GSXR, an 1100", tell me more I said… "All original with under 5k miles… Red, still on original tires, stock exhaust, blinkers, bought from original owner, and so on…" at this point I was foaming at the mouth! Then the bombshell. He stated his friend rode it … and dropped it. Typical rookie move, riding a bike on original stock tires on the street and asking them to stick at all let alone some 20+ years later. I was gutted and told him I was not interested, that I didn't buy bikes that had been down, and I only bought the best I could find (or afford). He went on and on trying to convince me that this bike needed someone like me to bring it back to its former glory and it deserved a second chance. I respectfully declined time and time again until we were together one day and close to the sellers house and he decided to just force it upon me. Telling me "hey what does it hurt to take a look? If you don't like it after seeing it just walk away". I agreed and off we went. The bike was located in CT. My initial reaction was what a pity as this was… was being the key word, a nice bike. Then after digging in a little, it began to win me over. It is difficult to say the least, finding an original at all, let alone one that sat on the stock tires. I looked and fenders weren't cut, stock blinkers, original finish on wheels was amazing to say the least, stock air box, seat condition was the best I have ever seen (looked as if it never spent more than an hour in the sun), all warning stickers in place, all the grommets were where they were supposed to be, no marred screws or fasteners, no rust or corrosion of any sorts (it looks as if it never spent a night outside), stock grips and levers, even the original break in sticker on the tachometer… I could go on and on about the originality on this bike. It was unbelievable and just a shame that it had been down. The bike suffered a low slide and damaged the right side. The lower, mid upper, controls, pegs, brackets, windscreen, a portion on the right side was rashed and or cracked beyond repair. The good was the forks were left untouched as well as the tank (later noticed the smallest of imperfections), and tail section. I spent a good hour or so going over this bike and decided that I would go home regroup and look up and see what if any parts were still available. I was able to locate all the fairing NOS and ordered them promptly (this was a feat in of itself locating these and I really felt I was in good shape as these items are so hard to find) and all other items seemed to be available -- expensive -- but available except maybe the odd whatever here or there, which I figured I could source from eBay. All that was left to do was go back and see if I could put a deal together to buy this bike off the owner. We haggled and came to an understanding, loaded it up and home it came. Like I said earlier this is not my thing, buying a bike that has been laid down. This was uncharted waters for me and was going to be a real challenge as I was sure it was going to need lots of little parts that you don't see, and was a big undertaking for me. This bike was just too nice to part out, too original not to repair back to its original glory, it really was a diamond in the rough. After getting it home it was meticulously dismantled, bagged and tagged till it was ready to start the rebuild. All parts were ordered that were obvious, and then the wait for everything to come in. The fairings were ordered from a parts broker and he stated that the parts were available but not in his possession, and that it would take a couple months for these to be sent to me. I wasn't in a big hurry so reluctantly agreed knowing that I have put all my eggs in his basket. Well, time went buy (months as stated) and as fate would have it… he fell through. He was only able to secure the two mid section fairings and a windscreen. Disappointed to say the least, I was really starting to think this was not a good idea. Without NOS parts and or "as new" used parts (which you know never are as good as described) this project was heading down a dark road. Keep in mind that I had already ordered and received all the other parts needed minus the misc. I didn't see at the time and this was a very big investment. So I was eyeballs deep at this point. I pushed on putting it all back with NOS factory parts. Fairing brackets, handlebar controls, foot pegs, etc.. all of which was going smooth but in the back of my mind it all was for not without the fairings. That was the eight hundred pound gorilla in the room. I searched and searched eBay for months which turned to years looking to source the missing fairings. Through this time I was able to source all parts NOS with the exception of two. I had the lower replaced with a repaired one. I am still looking watching for a NOS one but it has not come up. It is repaired to a very high standard with the exception of two things. One, the backside was cleared, this was a classic case of the repairer not paying attention, upsetting but not the end of the world. And the second, is that the red at the very bottom where it meets the other side it not aligned (see pic). Again not the end of the world, but disappointing to say the least. The other is a mid that was on the good side (left) got lost in the process. I replaced it with a repaired used one, but it is not up to the bike standards as far as I am concerned. So, with a new lower on the right and a mid on the left it would be a 9.5 conservatively speaking. As it sits it is better than 98% of them out there. I would rate the bike at a high eight to low nines the way it is now, and that says a lot as I am very fussy to say the least. This bike has been returned to its former glory and it as close to show ready as it can be. This is not a restored bike but a repaired bike. That is very important as originality is where the value lies. This bike is a very high standard bike and deserves a look. As stated above there are not many left in there original condition as it is, never mind one this nice. The bike is completely dry - no gas, no oil, clutch, or brake fluid. The motor has fogging oil sprayed in the cylinders and in the spark plug holes. There was fogging oil sprayed in the exhaust (both ends) as well. I have spent a lot of money and time on this bike and it has been a real labor of love. If I did not already own a very low mileage one of these, I would keep it for the collection. I have been very forthcoming and honest disclosing all that was done and some history of the bike. I want you to know what you are bidding on and feel confident that the bike is what I say it is. I have all the original parts that were damaged still and would be glad to show them to the new owner to show the extent of the accident. It was in my opinion a slow low slide according to the damage occurred. I have a two inch thick binder on this bike consisting of parts, articles, write ups, reviews, and such on the bike. Along with a copy of the previous ad and title showing it was clean. This is NOT a previously branded title as the accident was never reported and or run through the insurance companies. The bike comes with a clean Massachusetts title. Good luck and please spend some time looking over the many photos taken and you will see this is an outstanding example of an icon.