Thx. I too look forward to the resto thread. Is your shop 100% complete now?
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Interesting motorcycles, not XS650
- Thread starter Kevin Werner
- Start date
Always liked these old GS Suzuki bikes. Looking forward to the build Pete.
Getting there Bosco - my buddy still has some stuff stored in the barn which is clogging up my efforts to organize my own stuff.
However, he is working well on his own barn: he just got the variance on building height that he was seeking and he is on the trail of a building permit which will enable him to get a start once the ground thaws.
In the meantime, half of the barn is clear so I can do a few things in there.
Pete
1965 4 Cyl 200cc Fruin
Ooooooohhhhh doggies....I'll bet that little bugger makes a racket!
Charles13
XS650 Addict
Wow!
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eidemaddin
XS650 Enthusiast
Great. A real milestone in motorcycle design in the early 80s. The Katanas followed their own line and the level of recognition is huge even 40 years later. Unforgettable. Are now being released as retro bikes ; )
Not sure, the way the cylinders hang out I'm guessing 1000 (In the U.S.) or 1100 (in Canada). The carbs on mine were CV's though, and on any other early Katana I've seen.
Here's a pic of my son on my 1981.
He's 40 now...........
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You made me look Resto, thanks! I'd kinda forgotten about the original Katana like you pictured and was thinking about the later full faired gentleman's express bikes.
I'm sure those original bikes would be a good addition to a bike "collection".
I'm sure those original bikes would be a good addition to a bike "collection".
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How was that one handling ? Any Wobbles Worth mentioning ?
Charles13
XS650 Addict
Back in the day my best friend Art Robbins raced one at Saintair speedway in a Canadian Superbike race, his first motorcycle race ever and he won! he eventually went on to become 2 time Canadian Superbike champion.
No wobbles whatsoever. The bike handled like it was on rails. You could even drift it in corners confidently.
Very stiff suspension though, when you sat on it, it didn't go down a centimeter. It was in its glory above 80 miles per hour, plus that took some weight of your arms.
Oh yeah, the clip-ons buzzed like crazy, even though they came from the factory with lead slugs in them. Long highway trips were hard on the hands.
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Always liked the styling and personally I can se that one getting higher priced over time.
I was at a barbecue party once when one person there had one . Fairly new and out of my price range.
On a side note Suzuki sold well here The early intruders was liked and they sold many 750 ES
If i recall right best seller a couple of years
A bit bad rep on Quality But price and styling I believe got the name signed on the dotted line
Not many around now rarely se them
I was at a barbecue party once when one person there had one . Fairly new and out of my price range.
On a side note Suzuki sold well here The early intruders was liked and they sold many 750 ES
If i recall right best seller a couple of years
A bit bad rep on Quality But price and styling I believe got the name signed on the dotted line
Not many around now rarely se them
Sounds good but the owner needs to work on the brakes, they are not quite good enough to get the bike stopped at the stop signs. (Sarcasm here)
Paleomechanic
XS650 Addict
Had one , blue and white. Nice ride , no complaints at all really , couldn’t afford the slingshot , so got a used one of these instead
verndawg
XS650 Member
I had 750 Katana, can't remember the year, the drift in the corner took a bit to get used to. I had always thought that it was a poor choice of tires at the time. I also found I could launch that bike that bike off the line harder than bikes I had with far more power. It was always a unique looking bike, made me think of a spaceship.
