1982 Suzuki GSX 1000 S Katana

Lot details
Registration No: NOP360X
Frame No: GS100X500364
Engine No: 100899
cc: 1000
MOT Expiry Date: None

Suzuki ended the nineteen seventies in a strong position in respect of the superbike market. The GS1000 maintained its position as one of the most desirable machines in its class with a reputation for good handling and excellent performance and the recently introduced GSX1100E had quickly established itself as the ultimate musclebike, however Suzuki recognised that their rivals would not allow their position to go unchallenged for long. As a consequence Suzuki commissioned a German design consultancy, Target Design, to evolve a design that would maintain the company's position at the head of the superbike field. The design that emerged, first seen by the public at the 1980 Cologne Show as a concept, has rightfully come to be regarded as one of the landmark machines in motorcycle history. Known as the Katana it featured a half fairing, fuel tank and seat unit designed with the aid of a wind tunnel that sought to combine the motorcycle and rider into one aerodynamically efficient package and which also looked like no other machine available. The machine was powered by the double overhead cam, four cylinder unit. The 1000cc variants of the big "Kat" were essentially homologation specials built to compete in the States and are consequently somewhat rarer than the 1100cc machines with approximately 200 being built. This example has, according to the vendor been completely stripped and rebuilt having previously been the subject of a "cosmetic" write off. The engine was blue printed at the time of the rebuild and the vendor informs us that the machine rides "perfectly". It is offered with Swansea V5C and an expired MOT certificate.